Miss Tibet 2009 enters its second day with a Talent Contest

On the second day of Miss Tibet-2009 beauty pageant, the contestants presented their performing arts skills.

The eight edition of Miss Tibet-2009 beauty pageant began here with just four participants.

According to the event director, initially there were seven applicants out of whom three withdrew later due to personal reasons.

The four contestants are –Dolkar from northern Dehra Dun, Ngawang Choying from Darjeeling, Tenzin Choezom from Dharamsala and Yeshi Lhamo from Bir.

The second day saw participants espousing the Tibetan cause in the talk round followed by a talent round.

“You can see the public enthusiasm when the girls, the contestants were speaking and also when they were doing the talent show. In fact this is one of very few platforms in were Tibetan women can present their talent and their opinion. So I think this is very important part of empowering Tibetan women,” said Lobsang Wangyal, Director of Miss Tibet beauty pageant.

The three-day competition, which began with the swimsuit round, will be followed by intellectual rounds on the art of articulation and allied other talents.

Crowning and presentation of the prize money of rupees hundred thousand to the winner will be held during the finale on Sunday.

The first runner-up will be presented with 50,000 rupees, while the second runner-up and would be given 25,000 rupees.

The fourth contestant will receive a token prize of 5,000 rupees.

The pageant has remained in international focus due to objections by Beijing.

Miss Tibet Attracts Only 2 Contestants

Is this your first time to hear a beauty pageant with only two contestants? Yes, Miss Tibet can't get more contestants because this small territory is very conservative. The pageant has to go on. At least there is a pageant of this kind unlike in Nepal where it has to be canceled because of a pressure and threats from the Maoists.

Here is an article coming from newpostonline.com

Miss Tibet 2008 beauty pageant attracts only two contestants

Two Tibetan damsels will compete in the Miss Tibet 2008 beauty pageant starting here on October 12.

The names of the only two participants will be disclosed on Sunday.

Tibetans say that current unrest in Tibet and their extremely conservative society are factors responsible for the poor response.

“From my point of view, at least I can imagine something that probably because of the recent unrest in Tibet, starting March and then it continued in throughout April, May, June. There isn’t any an atmosphere for celebrations within Tibetan society. So I think Tibetan girls are shying away from that,” said Lobsang Wangyal, Director Miss Tibet Pageant.

Wangyal added that continuation of Miss Tibet beauty pageant would definitely help in improving Tibetan society.

The winner will receive 100,000 rupees, while the runners-up will receive 50,000 rupees.

Dolma Tseringkyi, Miss Tibet 2003 agrees that traditional values and the political unrest is preventing Tibetan girls from participating in the event.

“It’s really very disappointing that there are only two ladies this year. One thing is the social pressure and the other is the traditional thinking,” she said.

Tseringkyi represented Tibet in Miss Tourism World contests in Malaysia and Mexico, winning the Miss Goodwill and best National Costumes titles respectively.

Miss Tibet 2006 was able to enter the Miss Earth 2006 competition in the Philippines.

Lobsang Wangyal Productions started the pageant in 2002 when a majority of the four short-listed girls backed out facing flak from community leaders. The pageant has survived through the years, at times witnessing only a single participant.

The pageant has had its share of successes and failures on the international stage.