Miss India World Nikita Porwal on winning the crown: ‘Let go of good work opportunities to pursue my dream’

Q. Months of preparation finally paid off. What was the most challenging thing you did on your way to winning the crown?

Nikita Porwal: Since this is my first ever pageant, the preparation took a lot of effort — to understand the form and the drill. However, I gave my whole heart to it, as ‘learning and working on myself’ makes me the happiest. I had to let go of a couple of good work opportunities to pursue my dream of becoming Miss India, but I wouldn’t call it a struggle, rather a tough choice.

Q. What did your diet and fitness routine look like in the days leading up to the pageant? In what ways was it different?

Nikita Porwal: I ensured I was drinking enough water and finding time to eat at least one nutritious meal a day with necessary veggies, carbs, and protein. At other times, since I didn’t have anything to lose, I kept things light. But this time, there was ‘no scope for compromise or complacency,’ and I couldn’t have afforded to let my health deteriorate –– not just physically but mentally as well.

 

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Q. You will now be representing India at the Miss World pageant. How do you plan to prepare for it?

Nikita Porwal: I plan to give my best to all the subjects I will be trained in, whether it be ‘walk,’ ‘talk,’ ‘makeup,’ or ‘styling’. I also aim to keep my feet on the ground –– being ‘humble’ and ‘rooted’ is the best quality you can bring to any platform. By doing so, you will become the best version of yourself.

Q. One core area you feel you need to work on –– and why?

Nikita Porwal: I think I need to work on articulating my thoughts better on the international stage. I want to ensure that I speak in a tone that is ‘understandable to the majority’ and ‘relatable to them on human grounds.’

Q. Beauty pageants have often been criticised for perpetuating unrealistic body and beauty standards and objectification. What is your take?

Nikita Porwal: While beauty pageants may begin with certain ‘beauty parameters,’ they encompass much more than external appearance to emphasise purpose, intelligence, wit, and the importance of being a genuine human being. Instead of holding ‘unrealistic expectations’ of beauty pageants, people should focus on the ‘realistic expectations’ of being genuine, purposeful, and kind.

Q. Competing with equally talented women can feel overwhelming at times. During the pageantry journey, how did you ensure that you took care of your mental health?

Nikita Porwal: The best part about the pageant was meeting so many talented and beautiful girls from across the country. Each contestant brought something unique to the table—qualities that only they could offer. I reminded myself that my success comes from ‘extending my line’ rather than ‘erasing someone else,’ which helped me stay focused on my journey and maintain my mental health.

Q. Tell us about your journey from theatre stage to the runway.

Nikita Porwal: I love the world of stories, whether it’s listening or telling them. This passion led me to theatre, where I expressed myself through different characters and their narratives. However, a deep sense of ‘patriotism’ inspired me to do something that would allow me to share the ‘story of my country’ with the world. This is how I started preparing for ‘Miss India’ and eventually did ‘runway’ modeling.

Q. Your win will bring you into the instant (and constant) limelight. How do you plan to cope with the perils and positives of fame?

Nikita Porwal: I believe that with a ‘crown’ comes great responsibility, and it’s essential to remind myself that my feet need to be on the ground to bear the weight of that responsibility. This little pep talk helps me stay grounded and allows me to enjoy every perk that comes with it.

 

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Q. If you could, what is the one thing you would really like to change in the world?

Nikita Porwal: The cruelty towards animals.

Q. Your idol/source of motivation?

Nikita Porwal: My mother, ‘her love’ is my biggest motivation.

Q. You hail from the holy city of Ujjain. Were your parents/family always supportive of your decisions, or did you have to fight and prove your way to reach where you are today?

Nikita Porwal: My parents have always trusted me. They are proud of me for who I am, not because of what I do. Therefore, it was never a struggle to convince them to let me follow my heart. They believed in me, supported my dreams, and played a huge role in helping me with my work.