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

Miss Tibet Pageant struggles for acceptance

Among dozen applicants, only five vie for crown

By Gaurav Bisht

Hindustan Times India

Published in: Hindustan Times paper edition

Miss Tibet 2007 contestants at Naddi

The five contestants at Naddi village

Photo by Ngawang Samdup

DHARAMSHALA, India, 5 October 2007 – Having witnessed flip flops in the past, the crisis for the much-hyped Miss Tibet seems to be far from over, as the pageant continues to struggle against the traditional Tibetan society.

For the sixth time in a row, the contest has failed to gather the expected response from Tibetan girls. Of a dozen applicants, only five girls from settlements across the country have confirmed participation. Two are from Sikkim, one each from Karnataka and Dehra Dun. However, the beauty contest would witness the participation of a girl from Mcleod Ganj, the seat of the Dalai Lama.

The participation of 21-year-old Tenzin Dolma seems to have brought hope of acceptance among the Tibetan Diaspora for the organisers. "The enthusiasm with which more than a dozen girls applied is a clear sign," said 37-year Tibetan showman Lobsang Wangyal.

"I have come here after convincing my parents," said a confident call centre executive, Dolma. "I dream that someday Tibetans will live in a free Tibet, where my fellow countrymen will have an independent life," she said.

The organisers believe the traditional Tibetan belief was a hurdle in the success of the event.

"Ours is a conservative society, change takes time," said Wangyal, who is also the director of the Miss Tibet pageant.

Wangyal's views are endorsed by Tenzing Dolma, a 25-year-old, vying for the crown. "It took time for people to change over to jeans from the traditional dresses, so is the case here," opined Dolma, a real estate manager from Sikkim.

The pageant drew international attention in 2002, when Lobsang Wangyal paraded the Tibetan beauties on the ramp for the first time. The event was a huge success despite criticism from prominent figures of the Tibetan community. The pageant was criticised as "aping western culture" and "un-Tibetan". The pageant ended up becoming a global lead story though only four Tibetan girls plunged into the competition. After that there have been two events, with only two contestants.

With the dream of a free Tibet, each participant who has descended on the hill town is full of enthusiasm.

"Miss Tibet can help the Tibetan cause by spreading awareness about the aspirations of Tibetan people," felt Tenzin Pema, the youngest participant. Other participants include Tsering Yangzom and Deeki Dolma.

Finding little support from the Tibetan government-in-exile, the contest is short of funds. Though the total expenditure is calculated to be around Rs 8 lakhs, so far I have only been able to raise a few thousand rupees," said Wangyal, who said that his brother and his mother have contributed $1,000 to the contest.