Tenzin Paldon, the winner of Miss Tibet 2017
Photo: misstibet.com
The 15th Miss Tibet Pageant for exiled Tibetans wrapped up on June 4 – a three-day event in Mcleod Ganj, Dharamshala – home for His Holiness the Dalai Lama and seat of Tibetan Government-in-exile. The contest saw a record number of nine participants this year from India, United States and Europe unlike some previous years when there has been a single, lone contestant.
Tenzin Paldon, 21, was crowned Miss Tibet 2017 at the grand finale which was attended by over 3,000 people. She also bagged the title of Miss Photogenic which is decided by online voting – according to the Miss Tibet website, Paldon received 5,161 votes out of the 14,285 cast. Paldon has degree in aviation management and is currently working as cabin crew for Spice Jet Airlines. She is from Kollegal Tibetan settlement in South India.
Tenzin Khechoe, 22, a nursing student, was announced the first runner-up while Tenzin Nordon, a second-year history student, was in third position.
Photo: Miss Tibet Facebook
Referring to the historic number of participants for the contest, Lobsang Wangyal, the director of the pageant told Phayul news, “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”.
Wangyal made another announcement on the finale night that this year is the last Miss Tibet pageant under his production and he would like to pass on the opportunity of holding this pageant from next year.
The pageant was initiated in 2002 by Lobsang Wangyal. The contestants are judged in three rounds – swimming costume, talent and talk round and the final round. The winner takes prize money of Rs 1 Lakh [$ 1,554/ £1,203.1], the first runner-up will get Rs 50,000 [$ 777/£601.5], and the second runner-up will receive Rs 25,000[$388.6/£301.8].
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