Contestants of the Miss Himalaya Pageant 2015 pose during a press conference in McLeod Ganj, India, on 2 October 2015. MHP Handout
Tibet Sun Newsroom
MCLEOD GANJ, India, 2 October 2015
Six young women from various parts of the Himalaya are vying for the Miss Himalaya Pageant 2015 crown, and for the first time a Tibetan has plunged into the competition.
The six contestants were introduced during a press conference in McLeod Ganj by the Director of the Pageant Lobsang Wangyal.
The six contestants are: Chum Darang, 24, from Arunachal Pradesh; Priyanka Verma, 20, from Himachal Pradesh; Samrity Verma, 22, from Himachal Pradesh; Swattee Thakur, 20, from Himachal Pradesh; Tanshuman Gurung, 22, from Uttarakhand; and Tenzing Sangnyi, 21, from Tibet, living in Manali, Himachal Pradesh.
Interacting with Tibet Sun, Tenzing Sangnyi said, “Being a Tibetan woman, I think that the Miss Himalaya pageant is a wonderful experience and journey to be a part of. It empowers young women to come forward and voice their opinions.
“In our rapidly growing community, it is important that we make sure the women are moving forward as well and foraying into the fields of their interest. There couldn’t be a better platform for me to start working on my goals. It would help me to grow and be capable enough to help others.”
The contestants will go through five rounds of competitions in two days; the winner will win the crown and the prize of one lakh rupees (100,000). The first runner-up will be given 50,000 rupees and the second runner-up 25,000 rupees.
Day one of the competition, consisting of Talk and Talent rounds, will take place on 7pm Saturday, the 3rd October, at TIPA. The finale on Sunday the 4th at 7pm will have three rounds: the Introduction, Traditional Costume and Interview rounds.
Miss Himalaya Pageant was started in 2012 in McLeod Ganj. The organisers say the aim of the pageant is to provide a platform for young women from the entire Himalayan region to promote its culture, preserve its environment, empower the women, and foster understanding and friendship among the Himalayan people.
Good to see Miss Himalaya Pageant with six contestants. The Pageant has good ideas of promoting Himalayan beauty, culture and understanding and friendship. Hope there are more in the future. I am looking forward to go to the shows. All the best to the girls. They are all looking beautiful and enthusiastic. Wishing you all very best.