There was a time when washing hands, keeping things spotless and following strict hygiene routines felt like small childhood restrictions for Samanzar Sayeed. Growing up as the daughter of a doctor mother, cleanliness was never a choice in her household but the way of life.

As she prepares to leave for Vietnam to represent Bangladesh at the 73rd Miss World Grand Finale, Samanzar Sayeed is carrying a responsibility that goes beyond the pursuit of a crown. Alongside the national colours, the Miss World Bangladesh 2026 titleholder hopes to take a message of preventive healthcare and community awareness to the global stage.

Speaking at a media conference held in Dhaka ahead of her departure, Samanzar shared her journey, preparations for the international competition and the vision behind her Beauty with a Purpose project, Hygiene for Health Bangladesh.

Samanzar will depart for Vietnam on August 8, while the 73rd Miss World Grand Finale is scheduled to be held on September 5.

A graduate in Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Samanzar has always been interested in preventive healthcare. Her advocacy focuses on promoting hygiene education as one of the simplest yet most effective ways to prevent diseases and improve public health.

The campaign highlights seven essential hygiene practises: personal hygiene, hand hygiene, food hygiene, safe drinking water, oral hygiene, menstrual hygiene and environmental hygiene.

For Samanzar, the idea behind the initiative came from observing the difference between the health practises she grew up with and the realities faced by many others.

"Being the daughter of a doctor, hygiene was always a part of my life. Washing hands, maintaining cleanliness and following certain routines were normal at home. But as I studied Biochemistry and Biotechnology and experienced laboratories and hospitals, I realised that many people did not have the same awareness or opportunities," she told Dhaka Courier.

She said the experience made her understand the importance of prevention.

"Preventing illness is far more important than treating it after it happens," she added.

Through Hygiene for Health Bangladesh, Samanzar aims to create a nationwide volunteer-led movement. The initiative plans to recruit 10,000 volunteers within the next year, with the goal of reaching more than one million people across Bangladesh with hygiene education.

The campaign follows a multiplier model where each volunteer recruits 10 more volunteers, while every volunteer commits to educating 100 people about the seven essential hygiene practises.

To ensure the long-term sustainability of the project, Samanzar has established the HFH BD Foundation, which will oversee the implementation and expansion of the initiative across the country.

Speaking at the event, Azra Mahmood, Founder and Managing Director of AMTC (Azra Mahmood Talent Camp) and National Director of Miss World Bangladesh, said the vision behind the pageant has always been to create representatives who can make a meaningful impact.According to Azra Mahmood, beauty pageants should not be limited to appearance or modelling.

"Many people see beauty pageants as modelling, but they are not the same. Modelling is a profession, while pageantry is a platform where individuals represent their country on an international stage," she said.

She added that an international representative is introduced as a delegate from Bangladesh, carrying the responsibility of presenting the country's values, culture and identity.

She praised Samanzar's commitment to her advocacy, saying she has been working on Hygiene for Health Bangladesh for the past three years. She described the initiative as one of the largest Beauty With a Purpose projects developed by a Miss World Bangladesh titleholder, with a clear vision for national implementation.

The project has already received support from development organisations, NGOs and educational institutions, including Manusher Jonno Foundation, Humanity Foundation and The Duke of Edinburgh's International Award Foundation Bangladesh.

Former Miss World Bangladesh Rafah Nanjeba Torsa also expressed her support for Samanzar and urged Bangladeshis to stand behind their representative.

"Miss World is not only about beauty. It values confidence, personality and the work a person does for society," she said.

Torsa also encouraged people to maintain positivity on social media as voting begins for the competition.

"If someone cannot write something positive about her, they should at least avoid writing negative comments. The world now sees these conversations, and they also represent how we present ourselves as a nation," she added.

As Samanzar prepares to compete on the international stage, she hopes her journey will highlight a different image of Bangladesh, one where beauty, responsibility and social impact come together.

For her, the Miss World crown is not only a personal dream but also an opportunity to amplify a message that begins with a simple habit and can create a healthier future for millions.