PM MODI’S RESILIENCE, SIMPLICITY COMMAND RESPECT AND HIS VISION FOR INDIA IS ADMIRABLE: GEN-Z MISS UNIVERSE INDIA KAZIAH

From the glittering stage of Jaipur to the stories behind the crowns, The JC Show brings together Miss Universe India winners and pageant director Nikhil Anand for an unusually candid conversation. Kaziah, Vaishnavi and Anushri speak about dreams, setbacks, self-belief and what it truly means to wear the crown, while Dr Jagdeesh Chandra explores the changing idea of beauty, glamour and women’s empowerment. The conversation goes beyond the pageant spotlight to reveal the personalities, aspirations and journeys that exist behind the titles — and why today’s queens are expected to be far more than just beautiful faces. Excerpts...

• What better way to begin this special conversation than by understanding the title itself — “Coffee, Crown, Conversation: The JC Show Where Queens Get Real”? What does the title signify?
  Dr Jagdeesh Chandra: First of all, that is a brilliant analysis — just brilliant. It is all about promoting talent and women’s empowerment, and I am proud to say that Miss Universe India is the face of women’s empowerment in and outside the country.
  All of you are brand ambassadors of India, and you will be representing the country in various international capitals. It is a moment of pride for yourselves, for Nikhil, for your parents and, to that extent, for the nation as well.
  As far as the JC Show is concerned, it is one of the biggest platforms in the country, providing an opportunity to understand women beyond the crown and behind the crown. I would also like to give a special vote of thanks to my friend and Director Nikhil Anand for bringing this entire group of talent together. At just 32, he is one of the biggest national directors globally and a discovery in fashion, pageantry and glamour.
• Nikhil, what is the basic concept behind Miss Universe India?
  Nikhil Anand: According to me, it is an institution where girls learn not only modelling skills but also about their personality. They learn how to speak and present themselves well and transform themselves into the best version of themselves before competing to win the most coveted title in India, Miss Universe India.
  For girls who dream in small cities, we are now going to every state, creating opportunities. Even if they are not selected in the first edition, they get an idea in their nearby cities of how to approach the competition and can begin preparing.
• Nikhil, pageantry was traditionally associated with beauty and glamour. Do you feel there is a need to redefine glamour or pageantry?
  Nikhil Anand: I think we have already redefined it. Queens today are not just beautiful faces; they are strong women. They represent the country and become the face of the nation.
  Look at Sushmita Sen, Lara Dutta, Aishwarya Rai and Priyanka Chopra. Many women came forward and showed what Indian women are capable of. These girls are not just beautiful faces; they are some of the strongest individuals across the globe.
• Why did you choose Jaipur for the finale?
  Nikhil Anand: We were initially planning another city. But after the war situation worsened, there was uncertainty about how long it would continue and the entire market was breaking down. So, we planned the entire pageant season in Jaipur.
  Bharat 24 supported us and made it possible to host the events immediately in Jaipur. We planned Miss Universe Diva and then continued with Miss Universe India. Miss Universe International was also scheduled in Jaipur and eventually happened. More than 30 delegates from around the world joined the grand finale of Miss Universe India.
  It helped the pageant reach millions of additional people globally and gave good popularity to the reigning queen and the new queens.
• Kaziah, tell me about your finale experience in Jaipur.
  Kaziah: It was honestly life-changing. I had been on that same stage so many times, but August 23, 2026, was a defining memory. Every time I stepped onto that stage, I felt that this is where I belong and where I am supposed to do something greater.
  Being able to do that on my home ground, where I have been walking on the same stage since 2024, and winning the most prestigious title of India on that stage was very full circle for me.
• Who was Kaziah before the crown?
  Kaziah: Through and through, I am always a pageant girl. I have always felt this was my calling, with or without the crown.
  I started my journey as Miss Teen Diva in 2024 and represented India internationally at Miss Teen International 2025. Unfortunately, I could not win. I remember asking Sir whether my journey in pageantry was over after that failure. But I realised that the potential is always within, and it is only a matter of time before you bring it out.
  With and without the crown, I was always a born queen. The crown gave me the ability to emphasise the voice and vision I already had. It is simply a bigger platform to do what I was doing before.
• Vaishnavi, what was your experience at the Jaipur finale?
  Vaishnavi: There are so many beautiful memories. This was my second time at Miss Universe India; I participated in 2020, and it was also my second time in Jaipur.
  The stage was beautifully designed and made me feel confident. I am also tall, so I need a lot of space to walk around. But when the crown was placed on my head, it was a life-changing moment because everything has been so different since that day.
  I am happy and honoured that I got to do it in Jaipur, India. I am grateful to everyone present and cheering for all of us.
• When the models are walking on the ramp and the winners emerge, how do you view them from the audience?
  Dr Jagdeesh Chandra: It is very difficult to assess and judge. Though I am not part of the judging, as a common man, citizen and viewer, it is difficult to decide who will win, who will come first or second and what will happen.
• Did you feel someone might win, but the competition suddenly changed?
  Absolutely. It was a new stage and mentally difficult to decide. You never consulted me, you know, but it was difficult to decide who would win among them. But when she won, it felt that she had won rightly.
• Anushri, what was going on in your mind at that moment?
  Anushri: This was my very first pageant. I had watched pageants on television and as an audience member, but being on the stage of my dreams felt surreal.
  I was grateful that our national director brought us an incredible stage to live our dreams. I was also grateful to the audience because it was teamwork. Everyone came together to create a beautiful show where each of us could live our journey in our own unique way.
  I am honoured to win the title, but I t h i n k t h e greate s t victory was the experience, and I will hold that close to my heart.
• Kaziah, if tomorrow this crown goes away because it has a time limit, what would still make you feel worthy?
  Kaziah: With the crown, you also gain new experiences. Throughout the competition, I met girls from all over India, and that was the best part of my journey because you see their culture, journeys, and stories.
  I understood that this crown is more than something I can wear. It is something I represent, including each of the 51 girls who were there with me. Their stories, experiences and the opportunity to represent India internationally are what I will cherish most, with or without the crown.
• Vaishnavi, who is the original Vaishnavi behind this crown?
  Vaishnavi: I always wanted to be a relatable queen. With or without the crown, I am just a normal girl back home. I do not feel entitled to anything because I have a lot of gratitude to give to the world.
  Every child, girl or boy, should relate to us. They should not feel that we are unreachable queens, but normal people, and that they are a part of us. That is how we can use this beautiful platform to help solve issues they face. Without the crown, I am just a normal girl. The crown is a reward for the hard work I have put in. Apart from that, I am just me, a normal girl who loves to be in her ‘Pajamas.’
• What has earned you the reputation of being the ‘Man of Prediction’?
  Dr Jagdeesh Chandra: We run the JC Show, which is basically a Narendra Modi-centric show and has been popular during the last four years. Bharat 24 has done 71 JC Shows, with a viewership and reach of 39 crore.
  We made certain predictions that proved correct. In 2024, when the BJP was confined to 240 seats and there was no clear majority, we predicted that, majority or no majority, Modi would become Prime Minister for the third time. It proved correct.
  When there was speculation about Amit Shah being shifted from Home to Finance, I predicted that he would remain in charge of the Home Ministry for another five years. That also proved correct.
  In Bihar, we predicted that within less than one year, Patna would have a BJP Chief Minister, despite nobody believing it at the time. Then came Bengal, where we said the BJP was standing on the outskirts of Kolkata and would form the government. It did.
  Sometimes destiny makes all your predictions correct. In Rajasthan, Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat once said at a public meeting that if Jagdeesh Chandra was present, one could assume that the BJP government was being formed. And it was formed.
  So the reputation continues. No credit to me — it is all luck and chance. I am termed the “Man of Prediction”.
• Narendra Modi is the face of 140 crore Indians. As a young woman and as a citizen, how do you rate his performance as the Prime Minister of this country?
  Kaziah: I have so much respect for the leader of my country. We are the most populated country in the entire world, and being the face and the leader of it is definitely not a small feat.
  As a person, I think his ideology and his desire to see India as a globally respected country, as a self-aligned country, are very admirable because all of us Indians want to see our country uplifted. That is exactly what I believe his vision is as well.
  In terms of Narendra Modi as a person, I think his resilience, his story, and his simplicity are incredibly commendable. Despite criticism, after all these years of being at the forefront as a leader, you are bound to face criticism, opinions, and suggestions. But beyond all that, there is still so much strength to continue working for the nation. That is really respectful.
  Also, in terms of giving opportunities to the youth, I myself am a youth of today. I am 19 years of age, and I am part of the generation of today and tomorrow.
  Being able to get that opportunity in India itself to enhance who we already are and to dream is very important. I am seeing that opportunity in India. I think the entire universe is now seeing India’s potential. I am incredibly grateful, as that is exactly the India I hope to represent.