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Four to vie for Miss Tibet 2009 crown

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Miss Tibet Pageant 2009 contestants from left: Dolkar, Ngawang Choying, Tenzin Choezom and Yeshi Lhamo. The winner will be decided on 7 June after three days of competition in swimwear, talk, talent, introduction, gown, traditional costume and interview rounds.Tibet Sun/India

After eight long years of wait the Miss Tibet pageant finally got a sponsor.

Spice and India Splendour, an Indian tele-communications and entertainment giant, headed by Dr BK Modi, offered to sponsor the pageant. The event is named Spice India Splendour Miss Tibet Pageant 2009.

Four young Tibetan women, all born in exile in India, are vying to be crowned in the eighth edition of the pageant. The four contestants are: Dolkar, 24, from Dehra Dun; Ngawang Choying, 18, from Darjeeling; Tenzin Choezom, 20, from Dharamshala; and, Yeshi Lhamo, 24, from Bir.

According to the pageant’s organisers the four contestants are beautiful, brave and unique Tibetan women.

This year’s pageant is organised with a special message of “Thank you India for 50 years of help and hospitality” for Tibetan people.

“It is also an opportunity to celebrate 50 years of Tibet on the world stage. The spirit of celebration is high, but we pay homage to and salute those brave Tibetans who have laid down their lives for their belief in freedom, justice and love for Tibet,” says in a statement on misstibet.com.

The four contestants will be provided with one week of training in yoga, dance, make-up and personality development. They will also receive orientation on all aspects of Tibetan culture, history, language and the current affairs about Tibet. They will also visit the Tibetan government-in-exile, schools and other organisations.

The winner will be decided on 7 June after three days of competition in swimwear, talk, talent, introduction, gown, traditional costume and interview rounds.

Miss Tibet 2009 will be awarded 100,000 rupees (around 2,000 USD). The first runner-up will be presented 50,000 rupees while the second runner-up will be given 25,000 rupees. The fourth place will receive a token prize of 5,000 rupees.

The pageant was first started in 2002 amidst mixed responses from the Tibetan community. Many opposed the pageant saying it was “un-Tibetan” and “aping western culture.” Yet the organisers remain adamant saying, “This is the right way forward.”

Copyright © 2009 Tibet Sun

Published in Tibet Sun