(March 5, 2025) In a world where beauty pageants often prioritize glamour and status, one man has spent close to four decades redefining the very essence of beauty, infusing it with culture, tradition, and purpose. What began as a small cultural initiative in the U.S. has today blossomed into a global phenomenon.
Dharmatma Saran, the founder and chairman of the New York-based India Festival Committee, is the pioneering force behind all the prestigious desi beauty pageants celebrating Indian heritage on the global stage. His brainchild includes Miss India Worldwide, Mrs. India Worldwide, Miss India USA, Mrs. India USA, Miss India New York, Mrs. India New York, Miss Teen India USA, and Miss Teen India New York, each designed not just to crown beauty queens but to celebrate the grace, intelligence, and cultural pride of Indian women across the world.
Dharmatma Saran during one of the beauty pageants of 2024
“We are very proud of the fact that we have been able to imbibe Indian values, traditions, and culture among the youth of Indian origin around the world,” Saran explained in an interview. His pageants provide a common platform for the international Indian community, bridging cultural gaps and uniting people through shared heritage.
But Saran’s journey didn’t begin with glittering pageants at grand venues. It started with a simple vision and a deep love for his roots.
A modest beginning in the Central Park
In 1974, with a passion for showcasing Indian culture, Saran founded the India Festival Committee and began organizing cultural shows on the sprawling lawns of Central Park, New York. These events featured spirited bhangra performances, garba dances, music, and fashion shows, offering a slice of India to the growing diaspora in the city.
Seeing the enthusiasm of the Indian-American community, Saran made a daring move in 1980 by launching the Miss India New York pageant. It was a small but significant attempt to highlight beauty among the diaspora beyond just physical appearance. At the time, no one, including Saran himself, could have predicted the tremendous success this event would achieve.
Dharmatma Saran with Ameen Sayani when he invited the radio presenter as Celebrity Host at the Miss India Worldwide 1994 held at New York Hilton
From its modest roots, held in basements and local parks, the pageant quickly gained traction, moving to grand venues like the Sheratons and Marriotts, attracting large crowds and establishing itself as a cultural tradition within the Indian-American community.
Expanding the vision: From the U.S. to the world
Encouraged by the overwhelming response, Saran expanded his vision, creating similar pageants across multiple U.S. states, culminating in the launch of Miss India USA. But he wasn’t content with limiting his initiative to just one country.
In 1990, he set his sights on something bigger—an international stage that would unite women of Indian origin across the world. Thus, Miss India Worldwide was born. It was the first-ever international Indian beauty pageant.
Saran with winners of Miss/Mrs./Teen India Trinidad along with Miss India Worldwide 2022 Tanishq Sharma, Chief Organizer Neha Karina and Neelam Saran
What started as a powerful idea soon became a global sensation, attracting participants from over 40 countries, including Guyana, Trinidad, Suriname, Singapore, Malaysia, South Africa, and many more. Today, Miss India Worldwide is celebrated as “the most glamorous Indian function in the world”, drawing widespread recognition and prestige.
With its live webcasts reaching over 300 million viewers worldwide, the pageant has evolved into far more than a beauty contest. It has become a symbol of cultural pride, empowerment, and philanthropy, reinforcing Saran’s original vision, which was to celebrate Indian beauty with purpose.
A cultural ambassador
Unlike conventional beauty contests that emphasize physical appearance through skimpy attire, Saran promotes a more traditional approach. Contestants glide down the runway in saris and other Indian attires, showcasing the elegance and beauty of Indian fashion. “We will never permit vulgarity and bikini wearing in our competitions,” Saran said proudly. “We don’t believe in the axiom that the shorter the dress, the greater the chances of winning.”
His commitment to cultural preservation extends beyond attire. His pageants are known for promoting Indian performing arts and traditions, ensuring that participants and audiences alike are exposed to the rich cultural heritage of India.
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Recognized as a cultural ambassador of India to the world, Saran’s contributions have been acknowledged with numerous accolades. One of his most notable honours came in 2017 when he received the Bharat Gaurav (Pride of India) Lifetime Achievement Award at a function held at the United Nations headquarters in New York. The Global Organization of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO) awarded him a Community Service Award for his efforts in promoting women’s empowerment and promoting networking of young Indian women achievers.
Saran’s service to the Indian community in the U.S. extends beyond pageantry. He has also served as Chairman of Public Relations for the Federation of Indian Associations (FIA), which organizes the largest India Day Parade outside of India. He is the Founding Member of GOPIO and the past International Chairperson of its Cultural Council
He is also the Founder and Past President of the Bihar Association of North America (now BJANA). More than four decades ago, Dharmatma Saran had migrated from Bihar to the United States, armed with an LLB from Magadh University and a master’s in International Relations from Patna University and remains connected to his roots.
Thomas Abraham, GOPIO’s founding president, with Saran as the latter received GOPIO’s Community Service Award from Sam Hinds, former President of Guyana, in 2024
Merging glamour with purpose
While Miss India Worldwide is undoubtedly a glamorous affair, it is not just about beauty. Saran’s vision has always included a philanthropic dimension. Each event raises funds for various charitable causes, and many of the title winners have gone on to use their platforms for social good.
For instance, Bela Bajaria, one of pageants’ first winners and highly successful beauty queens from Los Angeles, has raised $35,000 annually for the Hand and Heart for the Handicapped organization, helping disabled children in both the U.S. and India. Another former Miss India Hong Kong raised $100,000 through a charity ball to support the underprivileged. These are just a few examples of how beauty queens participating in Saran’s competitions have used their influence to make a tangible impact in the world.
Creating stars
Dharmatma Saran’s pageants have produced stars and achievers across various fields. Pallavi Sharda, Monica Gill, and Deana Uppal are just a few of the notable women who have emerged from the Miss India Worldwide platform, going on to carve successful careers in entertainment and beyond. In 2019, Shree Saini made history by becoming the first Indian-American to win Miss World America and finished as the first runner-up in the global Miss World competition. She was also honoured with the “Beauty with a Purpose Service Award and Ambassadorship,” the highest service award out of 143 countries.
Dharmatma and Neelam Saran with the three winners of Miss/Mrs./Teen India Trinidad 2022 along with the Chief Organizer Neha Karina at Trinidad airport
Breaking myths and expanding horizons
Throughout his career, Saran has shattered several myths surrounding beauty pageants. The idea that beautiful women must wear revealing clothing to look attractive is one he has firmly rejected. Instead, Saran has shown that elegance and cultural pride can coexist with beauty. Furthermore, he has dispelled the notion that beauty pageants serve only to elevate the organizer and the winner. In Saran’s world, everyone involved in the pageants whether they are participants, organizers, or audiences benefit, as they are all part of a larger mission to uplift and celebrate Indian heritage.
Saran’s relentless pursuit of his dream has taken him to great heights, his journey is far from over. He and his wife, Neelam, who serves as the co-chairperson of the India Festival Committee, have travelled to over 35 countries to organize Indian pageants. Their efforts have brought them international recognition, and they continue to receive invitations to judge and participate in beauty contests around the world. “I always pursue my dreams to the logical end,” Saran remarked. “I want to increase the number of countries participating in the global contest, as there are Indians everywhere.”
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The power of teamwork and support
While Saran’s accomplishments are undeniably impressive, he remains deeply humble about his success. He frequently attributes his achievements to the support of his friends, colleagues, and partners. “The success of the venture was not my own creation but a team effort of supporters who lent a helping hand in times of need,” he says acknowledging the vital role of organizations like Air India and individuals such as former News India editor John Perry, TV Asia Chairman H.R. Shah, and the successive Indian Consuls General, who have stood by him throughout his journey.
His gratitude extends to his family, especially his wife, Neelam, whose support has been a source of strength from day one.
Today, as the beauty pageants he pioneered continue to expand in scale and impact, Dharmatma Saran is satisfied about creating a space where culture, empowerment, and global representation come together in a meaningful way for the Indian diaspora.
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