Priyanka Chopra, Lara Dutta and Diya Mira went on to conquer the international titles in 2000
The Times of India Group has bagged the franchise rights for the Miss Universe pageant in India. An agreement to this effect was recently signed at the Miss Universe headquarters in New York.
Speaking on the occasion, Times Group MD Vineet Jain, said, “I am happy that the Miss Universe pageant is back once again with the Times Group.”
The Miss India Universe pageant will be produced in isolation as a stand-alone contest end of June to choose a winner who will represent India at the Miss Universe pageant.
Marc Robinson, Director Operations, Miss India, added, “Miss Universe is back where it rightfully belongs, with The Times Group. It is the oldest and most credible organisation in India capable of conducting and producing pageants on an international level, while keeping in mind international pageant requirements and standards. Both Sushmita Sen and Lara Dutta rose to fame after winning the Miss India, and subsequently the Miss Universe titles, in the years 1994 and 2000, respectively.”
Femina Miss India sent contestants to Miss Universe up until 2009, then Sushmita Sen’s “I am She” enterprise held the rights in 2010, 2011 and 2012.
Times of India also produces the annual Femina Miss India competition to be held in April, with its winner going to compete in Miss World.
Its not diya mira,its diya mirza in fact diya mirza
Handrich,her father was german
Nice! After Shilpa, I hope India makes it this year, and goes into the top five!
Happy that Miss Universe India is finally back with the Times of India Group.
In the 90s till early 2000s, India is a huge sash factor. Not all its MU representatives were beautiful nor pretty but still placed in MU, to wit:
1998 – Lymaraina d’Souza – lackluster beauty and cannot even walk on heels during MU finals, almost tripping 3x
1999- Gul Panag – Swaggering boobs and flaby tummy. Mediocre face.
2002 – Neha Dhupia – Thunder thigh legs, no breasts.
1995 – Manpreet Brar – looks like a “man” or a gay, but was exceptional.in interviews.
I kinda agree with you. Include Nafida Josef lacks in beauty department but still became 1st runner up. Thats why when Donald bought ownership to Miss Universe he wanted to make sure that a pretty girl will win despite of lackluster Q&A. He said it himself in his interview that hes tired of pretty girls not winning the crown. But then, Miss Albania miss the semis :-/
If you intended on saying NafiSa JosePH (RIP), she did not place as 1st runner-up in 1997. She was in the top 10 only.
True Nafisa Joseph didn’t place in any Position at Miss Universe pageant. Thou she is no more and passed away few years back. One of the most loving and chirpy Miss India’s we had. RIP Nafisa
I agree…totally…these girls should not even come close to the Top 40 in their respective years.
Hope they give a chance to Urvashi Rautela….. As she was chosen last time.. She is deserving and i’am sure will do wonders at the Miss Universe 2013 pageant this year.
If you have the resources but the product is not good then don’t expect India to be on top again.
Times of Change are just around the corner…. Miss Universe 2013…. Will see a rocking Candidate from India…Finally!!!!!
Times of India will change the “Times”of India…
It’s the very first time from a country (INDIA) winning all three different international titles in the year 2000, from LARA DUTTA (2nd Indian Miss Universe winner held in Cyprus since 1994′s SUSHMITA SEN held in P.I.C.C.,Manila, Philippines)then PRIYANKA CHOPRA (5th Indian Miss World Winner since 1966,1994,1997 & 1999) and DIYA MIRA (3rd Indian to win Miss Asia Pacific title held in the Philippines). LARA DUTTA, however, won two international beauty titles:Miss Intercontinental 1997 & Miss Universe 2000
This was the era when Miss Universe valued Q&A. They probably wont win if they would join today.
India’s past success in international pageants was only because Hollywood was becoming very popular even in mainstream society and not because of the calibre of beauty. There were many lacklustre Miss India’s that got far at Miss Universe due to this popularity and it has nothing to do with who got the rights of Miss India. International pageants are a sham and it really involves politics and where a girl comes from, more than beauty.
A sham, except when it favors your Chinese or other Asian girls?
BTW I think you meant to say Bollywood and not Hollywood.
As Miss World in 2012?
I think Urvashi should try out for the India Universe title again. If she wins it outright, she will make headlines and history.
I dont understand the hype of Urvashi i googled her photos and not really stunning. She style herself like so 80s.
I hope they make it this way: The Miss India contest will still be using the “reserved” traditional system, while the Miss India Universe contest will be using the modern high fashion system. After all, the Miss World and Miss Universe organizations look for different qualities in their winners.
Priyanka, Lara and Diya, if competed back to back separately, will definitely win their respective year tittles and then maybe will go on to win the unprecedented 3 year back to back Miss Universe!!! I seriously think so. They are all so amazing!
I dont think so. Diya or Priyanka wont win Miss Universe. Lara was the best choice among the 3.
Amoire is an anti India agent
URVASHI RAUTELLA will make India Proud in 2013… if she represents at Ms Universe !!
Miss India Universe is selected separately.
So it means they still have three winners in the Femina Miss India pageant, and one of them will still go to Miss Earth pageant…
I Hope India Send A Great Girl Like 00′
Congratulations to times of india
2000 was truly one of the best years for India. Just look at all those stunning Indian beauty queens. The regal Lara, sexy Priyanka, and statuesque Diya all conquered the pageantry world with their poise, beauty, and brains. We need more women like them.
awesome!!! I loved Lara Dutta and her red dress that year. She was so beautiful.
This is a great News!
India is finally back on the track!
about time times take back miss universe franchise, giving it to sushmita was the biggest mistake ever….. URVASHI RAUTELLA for the win, she will rock miss universe pageant up big time!
2013 will be India’s year in pageantry…….
I too believe that..