Suman Rao

Rao represented India at the 69th edition of Miss World pageant, where she placed third in the 'Top Model' round and Top 27 in 'Talent' segment.[14] She won the first stage of Head-to-Head Challenge in Group 14, thus qualifying for the succeeding round of the challenge, which was judged by Piers Morgan.[15] She competed against Bangladesh in the round, where she won and secured a spot in the Top 40 of Miss World 2019.[16]

Rao's Beauty with a Purpose project was also selected in the Top 10.[17] Her campaign is titled ‘Project Pragati’, for which she took initiatives to help the dreams of women in tribal communities by assisting them in acquiring financial independence. She procured machines which aids in the production of aloe vera and rose extracts, gels and shampoo. Thereby, the women could manufacture the products and earn their livelihood from within their village.[18] Her project received support from the Princess Diya Kumari Foundation and through this institution, the women were trained to make handlooms, decorative handicrafts, accessories and jewellery. These products are sold near the Jaipur City Palace and also through an online website.[19] Further, she associated with the Bharat Sevashram Sangha, a non-profit organisation backed by the United Nations, for an even wider reach of their products.[20][21]

The pageant's finale was held in ExCeL London, United Kingdom, on 14 December 2019, and Rao was the 2nd runner-up to the eventual winner, Toni-Ann Singh from Jamaica.[3] She is the first Indian to be crowned the 2nd runner-up at the Miss World pageant.[22]