Miss Universe Pageant: A Beacon of Unity for India & Pakistan | Aman Ki Asha | New Hope Rhea & Noor

The Miss Universe pageant, one of the most prestigious beauty competitions globally, has long been a platform for celebrating the grace, intelligence, and talent of women from diverse backgrounds.

While it is known for showcasing global beauty, its potential for social change, especially in terms of cultural diplomacy, cannot be overlooked. For decades, India and Pakistan have been embroiled in a complex and often fraught relationship, marked by political, territorial, and historical tensions.

But the idea of the Miss Universe Pageant as a beacon of hope and unity, particularly in the context of the ongoing Aman Ki Asha movement, presents an inspiring narrative of diplomacy, mutual respect, and the power of unity through shared ideals.

In this fictional exploration, we focus on two young women from India and Pakistan—Rhea and Noor—who, despite the political and cultural divide between their countries, find themselves united on the same stage at the Miss Universe competition.

Their journey embodies the spirit of the Aman Ki Asha movement, a people-to-people initiative aimed at fostering peace between India and Pakistan. Their stories highlight the transformative power of beauty pageants as a platform for social change, personal growth, and most importantly, international harmony.

The Roots of Aman Ki Asha: A Pathway to Peace

The term Aman Ki Asha, which translates to “Hope for Peace,” was introduced in 2008 as a joint initiative by the Times of India and Jang Group of Newspapers in Pakistan. This initiative, born out of a shared desire for peace and collaboration, aimed to bridge the gap between the people of India and Pakistan by promoting dialogue, understanding, and cultural exchange.

In a world where political borders often overshadow the shared cultural, familial, and human ties between neighboring nations, Aman Ki Asha sought to break down barriers and create a platform where individuals from both countries could find common ground.

The importance of this movement lies in its simplicity. Rather than focusing on high-level political negotiations or diplomatic agreements, it targeted the people—the youth, the artists, the musicians, the writers, and the everyday citizens who share a common history and culture.

Aman Ki Asha aimed to create a sense of kinship that transcended borders, offering a glimpse into what might be possible if both nations focused on their shared humanity instead of their differences.

In the context of beauty pageants, Aman Ki Asha became a powerful symbol of hope for unity. While the world of beauty competitions is often seen through the lens of glamour and fame, it also serves as a unique space for individuals to voice important social causes and contribute to global dialogues on critical issues such as peace, gender equality, and social justice.

This is where the stories of Rhea from India and Noor from Pakistan come into play. These two women represent the potential for change and the future of an inclusive, peaceful relationship between their countries. Their participation in the Miss Universe competition was more than just about beauty—it was a testament to the possibility of unity in a world fraught with division.

Rhea: A Symbol of India’s Modern Aspirations

Rhea Malhotra, a 22-year-old from Mumbai, India, was selected as the representative of India at the Miss Universe Pageant. Growing up in one of India’s most dynamic cities, Rhea had always been passionate about fashion, art, and social causes. While many girls her age dreamt of fame, Rhea’s vision was different—she saw beauty as a tool to inspire change.

Her journey into the world of pageantry began when she was a teenager, inspired by the success of women like Priyanka Chopra and Sushmita Sen, who had not only made India proud on the international stage but had also used their platform to bring attention to important causes.

Rhea’s mother, a social worker who had spent her life advocating for women’s rights, deeply influenced her. She taught Rhea that true beauty lies in making a difference, in contributing to society, and in using one’s voice to empower others.

As Rhea prepared for the Miss Universe stage, she was determined to use her platform for peace and harmony, especially in the context of India’s strained relationship with Pakistan. Throughout her life, she had seen firsthand the effects of political conflict—the loss of lives, the division of families, and the barriers that kept people from understanding each other’s humanity.

She knew that as a representative of India, she had a responsibility to show the world that peace was not just a distant dream but an achievable reality.

During her training for the competition, Rhea met with representatives from various international organizations focused on peace, including those associated with Aman Ki Asha. She quickly became involved with initiatives aimed at empowering young people across India and Pakistan.

Her mission became clear: through the Miss Universe platform, she would not only represent her nation but also amplify the voices of those who believed in reconciliation and unity.

Noor: Breaking Barriers from Pakistan’s Heart

Noor Shah, a 24-year-old model from Lahore, Pakistan, had a similar background but a unique perspective. Coming from a traditional Pakistani family, Noor’s path to the Miss Universe stage was unconventional.

Growing up in a society where women’s aspirations were often limited to their roles within the home, Noor had always fought against the barriers imposed by her culture. However, her determination to break free from these constraints only grew stronger as she ventured into modeling and advocacy for women’s rights.

Noor’s family, while traditional, was highly supportive of her ambitions. Her mother, a former teacher, was an advocate for education for girls, believing that the true power of a woman lay in her intellect and independence.

Noor was deeply influenced by this philosophy, and as she advanced in her modeling career, she also became involved in campaigns for girls’ education, gender equality, and environmental conservation. She often spoke out about the need to challenge stereotypes and provide opportunities for young women in Pakistan to excel beyond the constraints of societal expectations.

Her selection as Miss Pakistan for the Miss Universe competition was a turning point in her life. Noor knew that the world was watching her. As the first Pakistani woman to represent her country in such a high-profile global competition, Noor felt both the pressure and the privilege of carrying the hopes of millions of women in her country who dreamed of a better future.

Despite Pakistan’s complicated relationship with India, Noor harbored no animosity. She believed in the power of mutual understanding and cultural exchange. Noor had traveled to India on several occasions for modeling projects, and in those interactions, she had found more similarities than differences between the people of both nations.

She was convinced that the youth of India and Pakistan held the key to a peaceful future, and if given the chance, they could work together to build a better world.

The Miss Universe Stage: A Historic Moment of Unity

The 2025 Miss Universe competition, held in the glittering city of Miami, became the stage for an unprecedented moment in history. Both Rhea and Noor, representing India and Pakistan respectively, walked the runway in dazzling gowns, each embodying the spirit of their nations while simultaneously showcasing their shared passion for peace.

The first moment of true solidarity occurred during the evening gown segment, when the two contestants were paired together for a joint presentation. The audience, composed of delegates from around the world, was struck by the graceful and poised exchange between Rhea and Noor.

They were not competitors, but collaborators—women who, despite their countries’ political history, were united by their common goal of promoting peace, harmony, and mutual respect.

Throughout the pageant, Rhea and Noor’s bond grew stronger. They shared their experiences, both the struggles and triumphs, with one another. They discussed the difficulties of being women in countries with deeply entrenched societal expectations, and the ways in which beauty pageants could serve as a powerful platform for change.

It was clear that their friendship was symbolic of something greater—a possibility for cooperation, friendship, and understanding between their nations.

As the evening progressed, both Rhea and Noor reached the final round. The judges, impressed not only by their external beauty but also by their profound messages of unity, placed them among the top five finalists. In the final question-and-answer segment, both women were asked what they would do to bring about peace in their countries.

Rhea’s answer resonated deeply with the audience. “Peace is not just the absence of war; it is the presence of understanding, empathy, and love. If we can come together, as women and as humans, we can create a world where the next generation does not have to suffer from the mistakes of the past.”

Noor echoed this sentiment, saying, “We are all connected, and it is through our shared humanity that we can build a future without borders. The youth of India and Pakistan must unite for a better tomorrow, and we can start with small steps, like this, today.”

A New Era of Diplomacy through Beauty

As the Miss Universe concluded, the impact of Rhea and Noor’s participation went far beyond the competition itself. Their journey became a symbol of the power of women to heal divisions and create connections across borders. Their friendship, forged under the pressure of a global stage, was celebrated by millions, particularly in India and Pakistan, where the message of hope and unity resonated deeply.

Through their efforts, the Miss Universe pageant had achieved something remarkable: it had become a beacon of hope, a platform for peace, and a symbol of what could be accomplished when people set aside their differences and worked together for a common good.

Aman Ki Asha had found a new, vibrant expression in the form of Rhea and Noor—a new hope for a world where borders and politics no longer defined the potential of individuals.