Vows support for CM Sukhu’s ‘Chitta-Mukt Himachal’ campaign
Munish Sood
MANDI:
Miss India Earth 2022 and Himachal Pradesh Tourism Ambassador Vanshika Parmar was felicitated by Shimla Mayor Surender Chauhan at the Mayor’s Office on December 25, 2025. The ceremony, held in a spirit of pride and warmth, recognised her exceptional achievements and her role in taking Himachal Pradesh’s identity, values and environmental consciousness to prestigious global platforms.
Felicitating her, the Mayor honoured Vanshika Parmar for becoming the first Miss India winner from Himachal Pradesh and the first woman from the state to represent India internationally at an Alpha Pageant.
She was also recognised for her global humanitarian and environmental advocacy, her representation of India and Himachal Pradesh on renowned international platforms across the Philippines, Ghana, West Africa and Ladakh, her pioneering work in sustainable tourism and youth leadership, and for inspiring girls across the state by carrying Himachali identity to the world stage with dignity and purpose.
Surender Chauhan described Vanshika as “a proud daughter of Himachal Pradesh who continues to bring unparalleled honour to the state at the global level”. He shared that Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has also appreciated her international humanitarian engagements, sustainability diplomacy and tourism promotion efforts, terming her a role model for the youth of Himachal Pradesh. The Mayor added that her presence during the winter carnival served as a strong source of motivation for young people, particularly young women aspiring to excel in diverse fields.
Addressing the gathering, Vanshika Parmar expressed her heartfelt gratitude for the honour and reaffirmed her deep emotional and professional commitment to Himachal Pradesh. She spoke at length about the importance of responsible tourism, preservation of cultural heritage, youth empowerment and environmental stewardship, stating that her national and international engagements remain firmly rooted in service to the State and the nation.
During the interaction, Vanshika Parmar voiced her strong support for the Chief Minister’s “Chitta-Mukt Himachal” anti-drug campaign. Appealing to the youth, she urged them to choose discipline, purpose and nation-building over substance abuse, emphasising that the future of Himachal lies in the strength, character and consciousness of its young generation.
She also expressed deep appreciation for the state government’s Sukh Ashray Yojana, describing it as a historic expression of compassionate and people-centric governance that restores dignity, protection and opportunity to orphaned children. Vanshika said such initiatives reflect Himachal Pradesh’s humane values and progressive leadership.
Vanshika reiterated her commitment to supporting the Chief Minister’s people-oriented initiatives, particularly those aimed at strengthening youth empowerment, social justice, cultural values and environmental responsibility. She affirmed that through her ongoing work in international diplomacy, climate advocacy, cultural promotion and sustainable tourism, she will continue to project Himachal Pradesh globally as a land of compassion, opportunity and forward-looking leadership.
A native of Nadaun in Hamirpur district, Vanshika Parmar holds the unique distinction of being the first Miss India titleholder from Himachal Pradesh and the first-ever Alpha Pageant delegate from the State to represent India internationally. As Miss India Earth 2022, she represented the country at the Miss Earth pageant in the Philippines, one of the world’s most influential platforms for environmental and climate diplomacy, with participation from over 85 countries. On this global stage, she actively highlighted Himachal Pradesh’s Himalayan environmental ethos, cultural heritage and sustainable tourism potential before international delegates, global media and policy forums.
Academically accomplished, Vanshika is an alumna of Miranda House, University of Delhi, India’s top-ranked college, where she completed both her graduation and post-graduation as a meritorious scholar and gold medallist. She completed her schooling at the Air Force Golden Jubilee Institute, New Delhi, where she consistently excelled academically and received the Vidhu Baduni Merit Scholarship for securing first rank. She is currently pursuing doctoral research on a merit scholarship and has authored multiple books along with ten policy-oriented white papers on sustainability, youth development and cultural ecology.
Coming from a distinguished defence family, Vanshika is the daughter of Group Captain Shusheel Kumar Parmar of the Indian Air Force and the granddaughter of senior Indian Army officers. This legacy of discipline, integrity and public service, she said, continues to guide her work in nation-building and global representation.
Concluding her address, Vanshika Parmar reaffirmed her resolve to continue representing Himachal Pradesh’s identity, culture, values and tourism on national and international platforms with sincerity, humility and service, ensuring that the voice and spirit of the state remain visible and respected across the world.
