Zoya Afroz, the reigning Miss International India 2021, was invited by the Japanese Embassy in New Delhi to be the showstopper for Indian designer Kumarjit Laishram during the Cherry Blossom Mao Festival 2021 in Manipur. Zoya got a taste of springtime Japan in Manipur, thanks to the Department of Tourism, the Governor of Manipur, and the Indian Council for Cultural Relations.

“So honoured! I can’t wait to experience the beauty of Sakura in Japan. The Cherry Blossom Mao Festival, Manipur 2021 where I walked as a Showstopper for Designer Kumarjit Laishram.

The national flower of Japan, the cherry blossom – Known as "Sakura" in Japanese, represents a time of renewal and optimism. The pops of pink mark the ending of winter and signify the beginning of spring. Due to their quick blooming season, cherry blossoms also symbolize the transience of life, a major theme in Buddhism,” explained Zoya.

“I would really like to thank The Department of Tourism, Gov. Of Manipur, Indian Council for Cultural Relations, Regional Office Shillong & Embassy of Japan, New Delhi for inviting me to Manipur and giving me the opportunity to spread this beautiful culture,” she added.

26 years-old Zoya from Uttar Pradesh, is a graduate from Mithibai College, Mumbai with a Bachelor of Commerce degree. She started her movie and television career as a child actor, and eventually established her name in Bollywood as an award winning actress. Joining the Miss International pageant has always been dream of Zoya. In fact, she has been waiting for this opportunity since 2013. Zoya has been working in the Indian Film Industry since 1998 and made her Bollywood screen debut as a lead in the thriller film The Xposé in the year 2014. Zoya has been a part of over 10 films, worked in several television shows and a few music videos.

She will be representing India at the 60th Miss International Beauty Pageant, which is rescheduled to the autumn of 2022 due to rising cases caused by the SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant.