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Pond’s Femina Miss India kickstarts regional selection
This round will shortlist contestants who will then move on to the grand finale and the winners will then go on to represent the country at various International beauty pageants.
Judges Cleo Issacs, Neha Dhupia and Subi Samuel
An expert panel of judges recognised for their work and contributions in their respective fields will shortlist entries at the regional level. The elite list of judges include former Miss India Neha Dhupia, ace photographer Subi Samuel, model Cleo Issacs, Femina editor Sathya Saran and Times Infotainment Media Ltd MD and CEO A P Parigi.
Said Parigi, “Femina Miss India is the destination to the land of opportunity for the modern young women of India. For us here at the Times Group, Pond’s is a natural fit to be associated with the event. Together we are certain that we are going to take the contest to a higher level and continue selecting the best to represent our country at the international beauty for as such as Miss Universe, Miss World and Miss Earth.”
Former Miss India Neha Dhupia with the contestants for the Pond’s Femina Miss India 2004
Added Hindustan Lever Ltd category head – Skin Care Vivek Rampal, ““We are delighted to be part of this pageant that provides a platform for every individual participant to identify and explore her inner strengths to become ‘as beautiful as she wants to be’. The Pond’s woman is a contemporary woman who typically believes that there should be a perfect balance between the attributes of mind and the body, between personality and beauty and this is the very essence that the pageant symbolises. The association with Pond’s Femina Miss India Beauty Pageant only reaffirms Pond’s positioning as a beauty, grooming and skincare specialist for the contemporary Indian woman.”
So far, the beauty pageant has received over 6000 entries from contestants all over the country. The country’s most prestigious beauty pageant has attracted talent and beauty from 63 regions including metros like Delhi, Bangalore and Mumbai.
NEW DELHI: Hamdard Laboratories gathered a cross-section of India’s achievers in New Delhi on Friday, handing out the Hakeem Abdul Hameed Excellence Awards to figures who have left their mark across healthcare, education, sport, public service and the arts.
The ceremony, attended by minister of state for defence Sanjay Seth and senior officials from the ministry of Ayush, celebrated individuals whose work blends professional success with a sense of public purpose. It was as much a roll call of achievement as it was a reminder that influence is not measured only in profits or podiums, but in people reached and lives improved.
Among the headline awardees was Alakh Pandey, founder and chief executive of PhysicsWallah, recognised for turning affordable digital learning into a mass movement. On the sporting front, Arjuna Awardee and kabaddi player Sakshi Puniya was honoured for her contribution to the game and for pushing women’s participation onto bigger stages.
The cultural spotlight fell on veteran lyricist and poet Santosh Anand, whose songs have echoed across generations of Hindi cinema. At 97, Anand accepted the honour with characteristic humility, reflecting on a life shaped by perseverance and hope.
Healthcare honours spanned both modern and traditional systems. Manoj N. Nesari was recognised for strengthening Ayurveda’s place in national and global health frameworks. Padma shri Mohammed Abdul Waheed was honoured for his research-backed work in Unani medicine, while padma shri Mohsin Wali received recognition for his long-standing contribution to patient-centred care.
Education and social development also featured prominently. Padma shri Zahir Ishaq Kazi was honoured for decades of work in education, while former Meghalaya superintendent of Police T. C. Chacko was recognised for public service. Goonj founder Anshu Gupta received an award for his dignity-centred rural development initiatives, and the Hunar Shakti Foundation was honoured for empowering women and young girls through skill development.
The Lifetime Achievement Award went to former IAS officer Shailaja Chandra for her long career in public healthcare and governance, particularly in the traditional systems under Ayush.
Speaking at the event, Hamdard chairman Abdul Majeed said the awards were a tribute to those who combine excellence with empathy. “These awardees reflect Hakeem Sahib’s belief that healthcare, education and public service must ultimately serve humanity,” he said.
Minister Seth struck a forward-looking note, saying India’s young population gives the country a unique opportunity to become a global destination for learning, health and wellness by 2047.
The ceremony also featured the trailer launch of Unani Ki Kahaani, an upcoming documentary starring actor Jim Sarbh, set to premiere on Discovery on 11 February.
Instituted in memory of Unani scholar and educationist Hakeem Abdul Hameed, the awards have grown into a national platform that celebrates those building a more inclusive and resilient India. For one evening at least, the spotlight was not just on success, but on service with substance.
