By Vibhor Mohan
McLeodganj, October 5 – Even as hectic preparations were on for the Miss Tibet contest, the Prime Minister and his Minister for Religion and Education of the Tibetan Government-in-exile here today expressed strong reservations about the contest.
In an interview with The Tribune, The Prime Minister, Professor Samdong Rinpoche, said each human being had his or her individual capabilities and these cannot be judged in this manner from the outside, going by sheer looks of a person walking down the ramp.
“We are firm believers in the fact that the body is the home of the conscience. Beauty is skin deep and there can be no such contest of individuals wherein inner virtues could be put to test,” he said.
Asked if these were only his personal views, he replied that he held the same opinion in the capacity of the Prime Minister of the Tibetan Government-in-exile as well. “These are also the view of the Tibetan Administration and it too thinks the concept is un-Tibetan,” he said.
And, he added, it was not that he was not modern. In fact, he said, he was a post-modern thinker and was saying this considering the scheme of things in the next century. “I say this very much in terms of the 22nd and 23rd centuries,” he said.
Moreover, he added, the whole idea was not a part of the Tibetan tradition and culture.
Commenting on a similar beauty contest being held in Tibet, he said, “Tibet is under Chinese occupation and whatever happens is as per their wishes. But here we are free to practice our culture and traditions,” he said.
Echoing his views, Mr Thupten Lungrig, Minister for Religion and Education, said that the cultures and traditions of India and Tibet were somewhat alike and exposure by girls was not considered acceptable.
“This is a concept of western culture and definitely alien to our society. Also, one wonders what is the benefit of organising all such beauty contests,” he said.
On the other hand, Mr Lobsang Wangyal, director of the Miss Tibet contest said these could be the views of the Prime Minister and the government, but not of the Tibetan people in general. “Moreover, the pageant is not a part of the governmental programme,” he said.
He further said in a way the whole contest was also bringing awareness about the Tibetan cause.
“When one reads the words ‘Miss Tibet’, Tibet is thought of as a separate entity and not a part of China. The popularity of the contest has only increased in the last three years. This year the number of contestants has risen to five,” he said.
The contest was scheduled for October 8 to 10 in McLeodganj.
Meanwhile, the Tibetan Film Festival, being organised along with the contest, kicked off today. Two Tibetan films, The Cup and The Seven Days in Tibet, were screened today. The award for the best Tibetan film, best documentary and best foreign feature film would be given on the last day of the contest.
