Bhubaneswar: The regional auditions for the 25th edition of ‘KIIT Nanhipari–Little Miss India’ concluded on Sunday at the KIIT campus, with enthusiastic participation from contestants aged 13 to 15 years from various parts of Odisha. The Grand Finale is set to take place from December 21 to 23. Achyuta Samanta, the founder of KIIT and KISS, inspired the participants. The judging panel featured Ollywood actresses Poonam Mishra and Suryamayee Mahapatra, Label Roshan head Roshan Sahu, prominent photographer Akhil Ranjan, along with Tripura Mishra and Bauri Raul. Core Committee members Malay Mahapatra and Shraddhanjali Nayak were also present. The total prize money for ‘KIIT Nanhipari’ has been increased to Rs 56 lakh for the winners.
The titleholder will receive Rs 10 lakh in cash and a 100 percent fee waiver (up to Rs 18 lakh) for studies at KIIT. The first runners-up will be awarded Rs 5 lakh in cash and a fee waiver of up to Rs 9 lakh, while the second runners-up will receive Rs 3 lakh in cash and a fee waiver of up to Rs 9 lakh. Additionally, special category titles such as Miss Rapunzel, Miss Photogenic, Miss Selfie (Most Liked on Facebook), Miss Fashion Girl, Miss Whiz Kid, Miss Cinderella, Miss Urvashi, Miss Catwalk, Miss Monalisa, and Miss Active will each offer a cash prize of Rs 20,000.
Initiated in 2001 in Keonjhar, the ‘KIIT Nanhipari’ competition has grown into a respected national-level talent platform, showcasing the confidence, intelligence, and grace of young girls throughout India.