Nine contestants in 15th Miss Tibet pageant

[Wednesday, May 31, 2017 09:03]

By Tenzin Dharpo DHARAMSHALA, MAY 30: A familiar hum over one of McLeod Ganj's exciting events - Miss Tibet-2017 - is abuzz with nine contestants. On the spacious balcony of the pageant Director’s studio apartment, the nine Tibetan women, some dangling in their nerves, spoke of their intentions and why must they win the coveted crown. The pageant known to most in the exile Tibetans for the last 15 years has not changed much. The vivacious director, Lobsang Wangyal, who has painstakingly managed the flagship event on his shoulders for over a decade announced that his pet-project is devoid of any political annotations. The contestants for the 15th Miss Tibet in Dharamsala. "The platform is not a political one; it’s a neutral stage although I can have my own stance just as the contestants who can choose to express it while they’re in the pageant. But the event as an entity is totally neutral,” he said. The nine Tibetan women from India, US and Europe dressed in their best chupas, smiled and engaged in what Lobsang said is a platform that “concretely contributes to women’s empowerment in the Tibetan community”. “When we speak of women’s empowerment in the community, it is largely interpreted as something to be achieved through holding conferences and seminars where as practical initiatives are few and far between,” Lobsang said. Among the contestants whose average age is just over 21 years, is Tenzin Nordon from Chauntra, who said the contest is about 'showcasing the inner beauty of a woman'. "If a girl is not confident, then no matter what she says or does, she will never be able to feel beautiful. So dais such as this gives Tibetan women an impetus to peel off reservations and feel confident,” she said. The pageant has revolved largely around countering critics, asserting evenhandedness in the proceedings and battling lack of participants when on four occasions lone entrants had to be crowned as walk-over winners. This year’s nine contestants is a historic number for the pageant. “Last year we had an audience with His Holiness the Dalai Lama, so that probably must have done a magical touch. At the same time, I feel Tibetan women are slowly opening up to the pace of things. They are now understanding sitting behind is not helping anybody, least of all themselves,” Lobsang told Phayul. When asked about the rumors of this would be the last ‘Miss Tibet’ pageant, the Director said that like the color of his trademark suit on the final night of the pageant, he would like to keep it a secret until the coming Sunday.

http://www.phayul.com/news/article.aspx?id=39099&t=1