The Run of Kutch came alive with glamour and excitement as it was graced by the visit of Femina Miss India
The shimmering salt flats of the Rann of Kutch witnessed a glamorous celebration of beauty, culture, and conscious travel as Femina Miss India 2023 1st Runner Up Shreya Poonja and Femina Miss India 2024 1st Runner Up Rekha Panday embarked on an unforgettable journey through one of India’s most spectacular landscapes.
Set against the breathtaking canvas of the internationally celebrated Rann Utsav, the duo immersed themselves in Gujarat’s radiant desert marvel — where endless white horizons meet vibrant cultural expression. Their visit highlighted not just the visual grandeur of Kutch, but also Gujarat’s evolving identity as a leader in experiential and responsible tourism.
The visit began far from the festival lights — on the open desert roads of Kutch. Traversing lesser-known routes, Shreya and Rekha embraced the raw, untouched beauty of the terrain. Vast horizons, dramatic skies, and uninterrupted stretches of road created a cinematic backdrop for a journey defined by stillness and scale.
Recalling the experience, Shreya Poonja said,
“I biked through some of the lesser-known desert routes in Kutch, and it honestly felt like the road through heaven. There’s so much openness and calm around you that it allows you to slow down and really take in the landscape. Anyone travelling this route would feel that same sense of freedom and stillness.”
Their adventure reinforced Gujarat’s growing appeal as a new-age biking destination — ideal for travellers seeking slow, immersive journeys over conventional itineraries.
Echoes of an Ancient Civilisation
Adding profound historical depth to the journey was a visit to Dholavira, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most remarkable settlements of the Indus Valley Civilisation. Renowned for its advanced water harvesting reservoirs and drainage systems, Dholavira stands as an early testament to sustainable urban planning — offering travellers a rare window into India’s ancient ecological wisdom and innovation.
Where Desert Meets Celebration
At the heart of the spectacle lies Dhordo — a village that earned global recognition as a UNWTO Best Tourism Village 2023 — setting a global benchmark for sustainable tourism growth aligned with heritage conservation.
Here, the stark white desert transforms into a vibrant cultural carnival. Rann Utsav unfolds as an immersive showcase of Kutchi music, dance, handicrafts, and cuisine — a dazzling blend of colour against the moonlit salt plains. Yet beyond the glamour, what distinguishes the festival is its thoughtful, conscious design philosophy.
The Tent City operates as a no-plastic zone, supported by structured waste management systems and environmentally responsible practices — positioning the festival not merely as a cultural celebration, but as a pioneering model of sustainable large-scale tourism.
Reflecting on this harmony, Rekha Pandayy shared,
“I experienced the festival knowing that every aspect of it has been planned consciously. From the no-plastic zones to the way waste is managed, it makes you feel that celebration and responsibility can go hand in hand — something visitors genuinely appreciate today.”
Living Traditions, Timeless Craft
Beyond the festival grounds, the cultural heartbeat of Kutch thrives in its artisan villages such as Gandhi Nu Gam. Here, centuries-old traditions continue to flourish — from Ajrakh block printing and intricate Kutchi embroidery to the globally celebrated Rogan art. Each craft tells a story of resilience, identity, and artistic legacy passed down through generations.
Moonlit Magic & A Sustainable Tomorrow
As twilight descends, the Rann transforms into a dreamscape — shimmering salt plains under silver moonlight, folk melodies drifting through crisp desert air, and an atmosphere where tradition meets modern travel sensibility.
The ability of the Rann of Kutch to host a globally admired festival while preserving ecological sensitivity underscores Gujarat’s leadership in responsible tourism.
Through this glamorous yet grounded journey, the White Desert emerges not just as an iconic destination — but as a shining blueprint for how tourism can celebrate culture, empower communities, and protect the environment.
In the heart of the White Rann, beauty found its perfect mirror — vast, luminous, and timeless
