Meet the girls from Tibet

Sky News

Published in:
www.sky.com/skynews/article/0,,30200-1066587,00.html

8 October 2002 (Sky News) – The first ever Miss Tibet competition begins this week with the behind-closed-doors swimsuit round promising to be the highlight of the contest.

Contestant Tsultrim Dolma

Critics have slammed the competition as untraditional and un-Buddhist.

But supporters say it will attract attention to the plight of Tibetans living under Chinese occupation - and give Tibetan women greater confidence.

Pressure

The field is slim — in fact it has been narrowed down to six after 27 contestants pulled out under pressure from their families.

And there is no prize money.

The competition begins on Thursday when the would-be beauty queens parade themselves in swimsuits in a round closed to the public.

But you can forget about contestants proclaiming their ambitions to work with children, animals and charities.

Politics

On Friday, they will speak about Tibetan culture, history and current affairs.

A short question and answer session will also be held with the public.

The winner will be announced on Sunday.

The event is being held in the north Indian town of Dharamsala, home to the Dalai Lama and Tibet's government in exile.

Support

Despite the criticism, the competition has the backing of the Tibet Women's Association and the exiled government.

"As long as it is handled properly, I see nothing negative in it," Dolma Gyari, the female deputy speaker of the exiled parliament, told the Tibet Times.

"The only thing that surprises me is that none of the judges appear to be Tibetan."

Contestant Tsultrim Dolma said: "What is important for me is what I can do for the Tibetan issue. It is not to let the spirit of being Tibetan die within myself. And Shambala Miss Tibet is about this."

Check out the rest of the contestants at http://www.misstibet.com

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