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During the chain reaction interview round at Miss Universe, India’s Manika Vishwakarma was asked the same question which Sushmita Sen had answered in 1994.
(L-R) Manika Vishwakarma in 2025, Sushmita Sen in 1994
At this year’s Miss Universe competition in Thailand, India’s representative Manika Vishwakarma is proving that true elegance goes far beyond couture. The reigning Miss Universe India has been crafting a narrative of modern Indian femininity that is defined by quiet strength, mindful confidence and a personal style language that feels both global and deeply rooted. As she moves through the pageant calendar, her presence reflects a refreshing shift: beauty queens today are not just faces of fashion, but voices shaping cultural conversations.
During the chain reaction interview round on November 16, Manika Vishwakarma was presented with a legacy question – one that instantly evokes nostalgia for Sushmita Sen’s iconic win in 1994: “What for you is the essence of being a woman?”
Instead of relying on familiar rhetoric, Manika elevated the moment with thoughtful nuance. She revisited Sushmita’s celebrated response, which was centred around a woman’s nurturing power, and positioned it as a timeless truth, one she respects yet seeks to expand. She said, “When an 18-year-old girl in the Philippines answered this question in 1994, stating, ‘What is the essence of being a woman?’ She stated it very simply: Being a woman is about the ability to nurture a life, to nurture every single thing around you.”
She continued, “I would just elaborate on it. As women, we’re often seen by society in certain roles. However, I want women to see themselves as a person, as a human. Yes, we’ve the ability to nurture. Yes, we’ve the ability to create life, and not just create life, but actually beautify every single thing around us.”
“That’s the essence of being a woman: the ability to not just beautify but embrace and amplify the beauty of every single thing around us. Being a woman is being infinite, and that’s the essence of being a woman,” she concluded.
While her answer made headlines, her style choices throughout the competition spoke just as loudly. Manika has embraced understated glamour with sleek silhouettes, deliberate tailoring and a palette that blends classic sophistication with youthful freshness. Every look feels crafted to mirror the kind of woman she is presenting: confident, aware, and intentional.
Her wardrobe, curated with precision, leans on sculptural gowns, minimalistic metallics and a hint of Indian craftsmanship – never overwhelming, always elevated. It’s fashion with purpose, a visual continuation of her ethos.
A Modern Representative For A Modern India
Currently completing her degree in Political Science and Economics, the 22-year-old Delhi-based beauty queen brings academic curiosity and cultural awareness to the Miss Universe stage. Her presence signals the evolution of India’s pageant identity – one that values intellect as much as glamour.
As the world anticipates the 74th Miss Universe finale on November 21 in Pak Kret, Thailand, one thing is unmistakable: Manika Vishwakarma isn’t just competing. She’s shaping a conversation, embodying a premium, powerful interpretation of womanhood that is rooted in depth, elegance and infinite possibility.
Delhi, India, India
November 17, 2025, 11:46 IST