Tenzin Choezom crowned Miss Tibet 2009

Tenzin Choezom crowned Miss Tibet 2009 in Dharamsala, the exile base of Tibetans in India and the exile home of their Living God Dalai Lama.

Four young Tibetan women, all born in exile in India, vyed 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.

Tenzin Choezom is a local girl from Dharamsala, India and has high aims to preserve the Tibetan culture and Tibetan women development.

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

This year’s pageant was organized 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 were provided with one week of training in yoga, dance, make-up and personality development. They also received 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 was decided 7 June after three days of competition in swimwear, talk, talent, introduction, gown, traditional costume and interview rounds and Tenzin Choezom Crowned Miss Tibet 2009.

Over the years, the number of participants has not gone up as expected by the organizers. It was one girl show in 2003 and 2005 when the crown winner had no contenders. Only 28 girls have competed for the crown since it was first started eight years ago with the private initiative of Lobsang Wangyal, a Tibetan man who faced criticism from some sections including the prime minister Samdhong Rinpoche for the pageant that they said was ‘un-Tibetan’ and ‘against Buddhist principles’.

The comments made by the exile Prime Minister Samdhong Rinpoche in 2002 added the much needed conflict to this story making the pageant even bigger attraction for the media. But the attraction has however dwindled over the years.

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.”

Photos : Saransh Sehgal / Mcllo.com