The event was previously postponed after women’s groups protested against it. It was originally supposed to be held on November 11. 24 girls between the 18- 25 years have been selected to take part in the finale.
The beauty pageant will be held at Hotel Green Park by Creative Plus Entertainment Network, Rays Entertainments and Dreams Events. This year, the theme of the event is ‘Save the girl child’.
Several women’s groups have opposed the event, alleging that women’s bodies are being objectified.
Organisations such as the All India Democratic Women's Association (AIDWA), the Progressive Women’s Organisation (PWO), the AP Mahila Samakya and the Chaitanya Mahila Sangam (CMS) say they will continue to protest against the event.
Speaking to TNM, Madhavi Latha, AIDWA’s Vizag city secretary said, "We were opposing the event right from the beginning. The police and the Revenue Divisional Officer have given us notices asking not to protest against it."
"It is unfair to objectify women body in the name of beauty. We will definitely agitate against it. Arrests can't stop us," she added.
AIDWA state president Prabhavati B said that was not women empowerment.
"It’s unfortunate that the state is focusing on such events despite having a huge crime rate against women," she added and informed that they will chalk out the action plan against the event.
The organisers, however, do plan to go ahead with the event.
Ravi Kumar D, the manager at Rays Entertainment told TNM that they have obtained permission for it.
“We have obtained the required permission from the police, and they assured us their cooperation for the event," he said.
Authorities in Vizag are already making arrangements to host the President and Vice President that week, as the President will be there on December 7 and the Vice President is going to be there on December 9. While the former is going to participate in the golden jubilee celebrations of the Submarine Arm of the Indian Navy, the latter is set to attend grand alumni meet of Andhra University.
Vizag DCP (Law and Order)K Fakeerappa said that they gave permission to the organisers of Miss Vizag with certain conditions.
"No protest rallies and agitations are permitted in the city. We will take all the preventive measures, given the high profile visits in the city," he told TNM.