DHARAMSHALA, August 16: The 2014 Miss Tibet title holder Tenzin Yangzom is all set to hit the ramp on Tuesday in the first edition of “Mannapuram Miss Asia’ beauty pageant to be held at the Le Meridian, Cochin.
13 girls from Azerbaijan, Bhutan, China, India, Iran, Malaysia, Nepal, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Tibet, Turkmenistan, UAE and Uzbekistan are participating in the first of its kind beauty pageant sponsored by Mannapuram Finance Limited, which has more than 3293 branches in 28 states and union territories of India and highest credited rated gold loan company in India. Three rounds of competition include the national costume round, theme round – Black and White Gown round.
Yangzom, on winning Miss Tibet title last year, said she would use the title to advocate for the rights of her fellow Tibetans inside Tibet. “I am committed to using the Miss Tibet platform to highlight the plight of the Tibetan inside Tibet and to bring in global intervention to stop the violation of human rights in Tibet,” she told Phayul.
Former student of Christ University in Bangalore, Tenzin Yangzom, was crowned Miss Tibet here last October. She currently teaches at Palkhang Academy, a school run by her parents in Sikkim and also takes up modeling assignments.
Holding a specialization in teaching and education which she hopes to make it her vocation, Yangzom has vouched for the instrumentality of education as the fundamental weapon Tibetans can wield to sustain their struggle and to positively impact their own lives and that of others. “That’s why I took a Bachelor of Education after my degree, and would like to pursue School Management for further studies. The Tibetan government needs qualified people to run Tibetan schools. The future of Tibet depends on the education of present generation. I will be more than happy to extend my contribution wherever necessary,” said the 24 year old, who donated her Miss Tibet prize money of one Lakh rupees to an old people’s home and a Tibetan day school here.
Speaking about women’s issues Yangzom said, “Women’s realization of their self-worth is key to empowerment.”
Yangzom has been in Cochin for the grooming sessions since August 12th at Beaumonde The Fern Hotel, Cochin. Public can vote in an online opinion poll Mannapuram Miss Asia Viewer’s Choice Award.
Member of Tibetan Parliament, Dhardon Sharling, believes that beauty pageants for exile Tibetans transcend the beauty and competition facet to it and is about making the Tibet presence visible. “The Manapurram Miss Asia is truly significant as Tibet is not only being represented but it will bring both Tibet and China on a common platform. Yangzom’s participation articulates an important political message of Tibetaness on the global stage. I wish her the very best and am confident that she will keep the Tibetan flag flying.”
The mission of the event, says Ajit Ravi Pegasus, the man behind the event, is 100 life challenge – saving 100 lives of underprivileged heart patients, out of which two have already been saved.
