Bhubaneswar: Girls in the age group of 13 to 15 from different parts of Odisha participated in the regional auditions for the 25th edition of KIIT Nanhipari Little Miss India competition on Sunday.
KIIT and KISS founder Dr Achyuta Samanta encouraged contestants at the auditions of the talent competition, held at the KIIT premises.
The grand finale will be held in Bhubaneswar from December 21 to 23.
The panel of judges include Ollywood stars Poonam Mishra and Suryamayee Mohapatra, Label Roshan head Roshan Sahu, eminent photographer Akhil Ranjan, Dr Tripura Mishra and Bauri Rawal.
Core committee members Malay Mohapatra and Dr Shraddhanjali Nayak were also present.
The total prize pool for the winners of KIIT Nahnipari has been increased to Rs 56 lakh.
The Nahnipari title winner will receive a cash prize of Rs 10 lakh, and if she studies in KIIT, her fee will be waived 100 per cent, up to a maximum of Rs 18 lakh. The first runner-up will be presented Rs 5 lakh, and if she studies in KIIT, fee will be waived up to a maximum of Rs 9 lakh, while the second runner-up will receive Rs 3 lakh, up to a maximum of Rs 9 lakh.
A cash prize of Rs 20,000 each will be given to contestants who excel in various categories of the competition like Miss Rapunzel, Miss Photogenic, Miss Selfie (Most Liked on Facebook), Miss Fashion Girl, Miss Wiz Kid, Miss Cinderella, Miss Urvashi, Miss Catwalk, Miss Monalisa and Miss Active.
