Miss Tibet - Women with Wisdom from the Roof of the World

Aspiring Miss Tibets to walk the ramp again

Associated Press Associated Press (AP)

Published in:
http://news.newkerala.com/india-news/?action=fullnews&id=31001
indiatimes.com
Indo-Asian News Service

DHARAMSALA, India, 14 September 2004 – Amid controversy, opposition and some excitement, this serene capital of the Tibetan government-in-exile is getting ready for the three-day Miss Tibet beauty pageant from Oct 8.

Though last year there was only one contestant who was elected unopposed with the contest being stridently opposed by the Tibetan government and conservative elders, the scene is less dismal this year with six girls being chosen from a list of 19 amateurs.

The six finalists, between the ages of 18 and 26, will arrive in this hill town from all over India and Nepal Sep 30 for a week of training in body fitness, hair care, make-up, yoga, stage-craft and choreography. Besides, there will be workshops on Tibetan culture, history and current affairs.

At the end of three days and four rounds, Miss Tibet 2004 will get not only the crown but also a scholarship award of Rs.100,000.

According to Lobsang Wangyal, main organiser and initiator of the contest, two girls from Nepal are among the six trying their luck on the ramp at McLeodganj in upper Dharamsala, home of the Dalai Lama and seat of the Tibetan government-in-exile.

The shortlist comprises Tashi Yangchen from Gangtok, a B.E. in computer engineering; Penpa Lhamo from Bangalore with a master's degree in journalism and communication; Thinlay Dolma from Dharamsala, a matriculate working as a make-up artiste; Dhondup Wangmo, a graduate from Delhi university; and Sonam Dickey and Kalsang Dickey from Nepal who have expertise in computers.

Like most other beauty pageants, this one will also have a swimsuit round. However, the swimsuit round on day one Oct 8 will be closed for public viewing and be open only for jurors and media personnel.

The second round Oct 9 will be a presentation round in which the contestants will speak on Tibetan culture, history and current affairs. Each contestant will have a choice of two topics, chosen from a lottery drawn half an hour before the speech. They will have an option to speak either in Tibetan or English.

The third round on the same night will be a talent contest in which the girls will be asked to act, sing, dance or tell a story of their own choice.

The grand finale will be on Oct 10 when the Miss Tibet 2004 will be crowned.

It will begin with an introduction, an evening gown round followed by traditional Tibetan costumes and finally, the interview round.

Besides Miss Tibet 2004, awards like Miss Photogenic and Free Spirit will also be presented.

All events, except the swimsuit round, will be held at the Tibetan Institute of Performing Arts (TIPA) in McLeodganj, Wangyal said.

Complaining about paucity of funds for the event, he added that the winner will take participate in international pageants in Mexico and Malaysia.

The Miss Tibet beauty pageant was first held in 2002 amid vigorous opposition from the Tibetan government-in-exile and traditional elders who said it was antithetical to Tibetan culture and religion.

But the younger generation has clearly supported the idea.

While Dolma Tsering was the first Miss Tibet, Tsering Kyi was crowned unopposed last year.

Let's see what happens this year as the contestants and organisers gather to reaffirm their Tibetan identity and highlight their cause.