It was a dream come true moment when my Beauty With A Purpose (BWAP) project 1098 was adjudged the winner along with five other projects.

Following an undeniably competitive presentation by all the Miss World contestants, the pageant organisation selected the Top 6 BWAP projects as the winners. I put my heart and soul into making my cherished mission a success, and this award is the greatest recognition I could ask for. I feel incredibly proud and honoured.

At this moment, I can't stop but share a brief about my BWAP project, 10-9-8, with all those unaware of it. Project 10-9-8 aims to prevent and eradicate child abuse in India, and I have commenced this fight with my home state, Telangana. Every year, India witnesses thousands of illegal child marriages, thousands of kids are orphaned, abandoned, abused, forced into child labour, or trafficked. With COVID-19, these numbers have risen drastically. But unfortunately, when people realise there is an issue, it is either too late or are unaware of how to intervene and offer help.

My project is further classified into three pillars:

— Promote child rescue hotline

— Raise funds to equip teams with rescue vehicles

— Create a sustainable ecosystem that facilitates the rescue and rehabilitation of vulnerable children

This win also helped me mark a spot in the semi-finals of Miss World 2021, and I would also like to congratulate my fellow sisters, who are equal recipients of the award, Shudufhadzo Musida of South Africa, Rehema Muthamia of England, Sharon Obara of Kenya, Shree Saini of the United States, and Tracy Maureen Perez of the Philippines. Let us all continue to make this world a better place in our own little ways.