By Tenzin Dharpo
DHARAMSHALA, May 31: The 2016 edition of the most coveted beauty pageant title in the exile community; the ‘Miss Tibet’ spectacle will be competed amongst four Tibetan women from India and North America this week.
Lobsang Wangyal, the founder of the pageant today announced that the actual contest will begin from June 3 through out June 5 when one among the four vying for the title will be crowned ‘Miss Tibet 2016’ at TIPA where the main pageant will be held. “The journey of the pageant has seen many ups and down with fund shortages and lack of participants among other things yet I have always seen it important to carry on the initiative with larger picture of women empowerment and the awareness for the Tibetan cause that it gathers for the Tibetan cause,” Lobsang told journalists.
The four contestants are Tenzin Dawa from New York (USA), Dechen Wangmo from Mussoorie,Tenzing Dickey from Bylakuppe and Tenzing Sangnyi from Manali. Their host and event organizer Lobsang said, “All the contestants are bright, beautiful, and enthusiastic, and have strong connection with the Tibetan community and the free Tibet movement. They are excitedly looking forward to their time in McLeod Ganj and competing in the Pageant.”
The pageant which drew ire from some sections of the Tibetan society arguing the western ways (swim suit round) could go against the Tibetan tradition and custom had seen Tibetan girls come forward to take part in the yearly event as a necessary way forward to engage Tibetan women, in reinventing their status quo and also to bring Tibet on to the global foray.
Jangchup Nyendak, a Tibetan businessman from Dalhousie who donated the prize money of one lakh INR for the winner, told Phayul that the viability of the platform is often undermined. “This platform has always pushed forward women to the forefront and with Lobsang Wangyal facing a bit of a problem financially; I decided to chip in a little help so that both Lobsang and the initiative gets helping hand from a fellow Tibetan,” he further adds.
The pageant in its fourteenth year will consist of a Talk and Talent round on the evening of the 4th in TIPA auditorium, the swimsuit round, the Grand Finale Night featuring remaining four rounds — Introduction, Gown, Traditional Costume, and Interview Rounds on the 5th evening at TIPA, Dharamshala.
