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Tenzin Norzom crowned Miss Tibet 2010

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Tenzin Norzom after being crowned the Kingfisher Miss Tibet 2010 at the Tibetan Institute of Performing Arts in Mcleod Ganj, India, on 6 June 2010.MissTibet.com

Tenzin Norzom, a 23-year-old Shastri degree holder (equivalent to Bachelor of Arts in Buddhist Philosophy) from Varanasi, was crowned as the new Kingfisher Miss Tibet 2010 on Sunday night.

Thousands of people gathered at the Tibetan Institute of Performing Arts to witness the show and the crowning. However, considering the earthquake in Kyigudo, eastern Tibet, in April, the show did not burst crackers as has been the tradition in past Pageants. Instead the gathering recited a short prayer.

Two judges — Prem Sagar, an educationist and activist from Mcleod Ganj, and KS Pama, an industrialist from Chandigarh — chose the winner. Priya Arora, the director of the Group Can & Able, presented the cheque for Rs. 100,000 in prize money to the winner.

Interacting with the media after the crowning, Norzom said, “I will use the title to promote the Tibetan cause in whatever way I can.”

She said she will focus on her career to become a translator, adding that she will join a three-month translation course at the Library of Tibetan Works and Archives in Dharamshala starting in July.

Sending a special message for Tibetan youth, she urged them to pay attention to their studies, and to pay heed to the Dalai Lama’s advice to become 21st century Buddhists.

Norzom was born in Hunsur Tibetan Settlement in Karnataka state in South India in 1986, and had just completed the Shastri Degree from Central University of Tibetan Studies in Varanasi.

The two judges chose 19-year-old Yangchen Metok as the first runner-up, and was presented 50,000 rupees. At third place was Rinchen Choden, who received 25,000 rupees.

The finale night saw the four contestants compete in Introduction, Gown, Traditional costume and Interview rounds. In the gown round, three of the contestants came out wearing attire designed by Kelsang Tsomo of Lakar Designs.

The organisers kept the event a low-profile one considering the earthquake in April in Kyigudo, Tibet, in which, Tibetan sources say, around 10,000 people have died. The pageant, directed by Lobsang Wangyal and produced by Group Can & Able, donated 10,000 rupees to the victims of the earthquake.

In addition, the annual Free Spirit Award for 2010 was presented to Mahesh Yadav for his blood portraits of world leaders which he makes to bring awareness about world peace and freedom in Tibet. He has been drawing blood portraits for the last 14 years. Free Spirit Award was started in 2003. The award is presented for those who have contributed for the Tibetan cause in particular and world peace in general.

At the end of the event, the four contestants presented a group dance which was choreographed by Tsering Palmo of the Tibetan Institute of Performing Arts.

Copyright © 2010 Tibet Sun

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