Shubhangi Dwivedi Bags KIIT Nanhipari - Little Miss India 2018 Title

Bhubaneswar: Shubhangi Dwivedi from Lucknow was crowned 18th KIIT Nanhipari - Little Miss India 2018. Yashika Singh of Delhi and Mira Singh of Amritsar were crowned first and second runners-up respectively. The top three also received a cash award of Rs. 3 lakh, Rs. 1 lakh and Rs. 50000 respectively, along with the silver crown, trophy, and certificates.

Many other titles were decided in the final round such as Miss Rapunzel - a girl with most beautiful hair - the award was given to Amandeep Kaur of Amritsar. Similarly, Miss Photogenic - girl with best pose in photoshoot round - to Tapti Thakur of Bhopal, Miss Selfie - Maximum likes on Facebook page - to Soumya Pradhan of Bhubaneswar, Miss Fashion girl-girl with best costume - in both rounds to Vanisa Dandapat of Bhubaneswar, Miss Whizkid - girl with highest marks in quiz round - to Goutami Madan Deshmukh of Mumbai, Miss Cinderella - girl having best personality - to Mira Singh, Miss Urvasi - girl with Best Talent - to Chandrima Sarkar of Kolkata, Miss Catwalk - girl with best ramp walk - to Shubhangi Dwivedi, Miss Monalisa - most beautiful girl with most beautiful smile - to Bhoomika R of Bengaluru and Miss Active - most active girl - to Ananya Sharma of Jamshedpur. They were awarded a cash prize each. Dr. Achyuta Samanta, Chief Patron of KIIT Nanhipari and Malay Mohapatra, Patron awarded the winners. 

The winner got Rs. 21 lakh - Rs. 3 lakh cash prize and 100% academic fee waiver subject to a maximum of Rs. 18 lakh for studying in any discipline in KIIT Deemed-to-be University, along with a week-long visit and stay in South Korea with one of her parents sponsored by Hongbeopsa Management. The 1st Runners-Up won Rs. 10.0 lakh – R.1.00 Lakh cash prize and 50% academic fee waiver subject to a maximum of Rs. 9.0 lakh for studying any discipline in KIIT. Similarly, the 2nd Runners-Up won Rs. 9.5 lakh – Rs. 50000 cash prize and 50% academic fee waiver subject to a maximum of Rs. 9.0 lakh for studying any discipline of KIIT.

Korean Indian Cultural Economy Exchange Association sponsored crowns and cosmetics gift hamper for the winning contestants. They also have agreed to sponsor the winner to training and grooming from an international fashion institute in South Korea and participate in a global beauty pageant contest there in the forthcoming years. Ven Shimsan of Hongbeopsa Monastery is sponsoring the winner and one of her parents for a week-long trip to South Korea. India-Korea Cultural and Economic Exchange Association has sponsored all the 13 crowns and gift hampers to the 13 winners in various categories. With this, they also supported three winners to participate in the World Beauty pageant in 2019.

The audition was conducted in 20 states where more than 3000 participants took part. In all 33 contestants were selected for the semifinal round. "Nanhipari" is a talent show for teenage girls between the age group of 13-16 years. It had a modest start in 2001 in a remote and small tribal town of Kendujhar District of Odisha. In a short time-span of just 18 years, it has become a national event of repute, touted as the 'Little Miss India' competition, the only one of its kind. It is the only contest of its kinds in the country known as the Pre Miss India or stepping stone to National and Global Beauty pageants. It already nurtured many talents who have been successful in fashion, film and art industry.

Heabin Song from South Korea, Nini Arora - Fashion designer Patna, Mrs. Tripti Rao - Mrs. India 2017, Dr. Meena Pote - Mrs. India Earth 2017, Mrs. Bernali Ganguly - Classical Dancer & Singer were the jury members.  Indrajeet Ganguly,  Rajasekhar, Choreographer, Sanlisa Patel, Mrs. Delhi Photogenic 2018; Dr. Amit Wanchoo, CEO, Space Communications, Namsook Yom, From South Korea, Sukirti Patnaik, Owner of Indulge Salon, Poonam Mishra, Ollywood Actress, Ananda Pattnaik, Musician; Ashutosh Sahu, Photographer; Meera Parida and Dutee Chand, Indian professional sprinter and current national champion in the women's 100 metres event, Dr. Achyuta Samanta, Chief Patron of KIIT Nanhipari; Core team members of KIIT Nanhipari Dr. Shradhanjali Nayak, Dr. Smita Mohanty, Dr. Sucheta Priyabadini, Mr. Malaya Mohapatra; Dr. Monalisa Bal, Chairperson, KIIT International school were also present on the occasion.