Manika Vishwakarma Wins Hearts by Answering the Same Miss Universe Question Once Asked to Sushmita Sen
India’s Manika Vishwakarma, one of the strongest contenders for the 74th Miss Universe crown, is already drawing global attention ahead of the finale in Nonthaburi, Thailand, on November 21. In a recent interaction with pageant platform Crown Sisters, the Miss Universe India 2025 titleholder was asked the same question that legendary beauty queen Sushmita Sen faced during her historic Miss Universe 1994 victory.
And Manika’s thoughtful, layered response has left fans deeply impressed.
“What Is the Essence of Being a Woman?” — Manika’s Powerful Answer
The 23-year-old began by acknowledging the timeless beauty of Sushmita Sen’s winning answer.
She said,
“When an 18-year-old girl answered this in 1994, she said very simply that being a woman is about the ability to nurture everything around you — and that answer carried plain truth.”
Manika then built upon Sen’s philosophy with a modern, personal perspective:
“Being a woman, we are often seen in certain roles. But I want women to see themselves as individuals first — as humans. Yes, we nurture, yes we create life, but we also beautify everything around us. The essence of being a woman is the ability to embrace and amplify beauty in all forms. Being a woman is being infinite.”
What Sushmita Sen Said in 1994
Sushmita Sen’s original Miss Universe answer remains iconic:
“To be born a woman is by itself a great gift of God. The origin of a child is a mother, and it is the woman who teaches a man how to love, care and share. That is the essence of a woman.”
Who Is Manika Vishwakarma?
Manika, from Sri Ganganagar in Rajasthan, is an economics student, trained classical dancer, artist, and National Cadet Corps graduate. She also founded Neuronova, her advocacy initiative focused on raising awareness about neurodivergence.
Crowned Miss Universe India 2025 on August 18 in Jaipur, she also holds the title of Miss Universe Rajasthan.
Her artistic talent has been recognised by prestigious institutions, including the Lalit Kala Academy and JJ School of Art.
India’s Miss Universe Legacy
India has a celebrated history at the Miss Universe pageant, winning three crowns:
- Sushmita Sen (1994) – India’s first Miss Universe
- Lara Dutta (2000) – India’s second crown
- Harnaaz Sandhu (2021) – India’s third win after 21 years
With Manika Vishwakarma emerging as a fan favourite, pageant watchers believe India could soon add a fourth crown to its legacy.
