Miss Tibet 2008: Sonam Choedon

Miss Tibet 2008 beauty pageant attracts only two contestants
Dharamsala, Oct.11

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

The names of two participants would 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 form 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 competition 2006 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.

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Miss Tibet 2008 Crowned
Phayul [Sunday, October 12, 2008 23:21]
By Phurbu Thinley



Dharamsala, October 12: 18-year old Sonam Choedon from Lithang, in eastern Tibet, was crowned Miss Tibet 2008.

Sonam won the title after going through four rounds of competitions, which included Evening Gown, Talent, Traditional Costume, and Interview, at the Tibetan Institute of Performing Arts (TIPA) here this evening.

A panel of two judges, Dr Rashmi Ramoul, a lecturer at the Government College for Teachers' Education, and Natasha Mendes, a belly-dance teacher from Brasil, elected the winner.

Sonam was crowned Miss Tibet by Tenzin Dolma, Miss Tibet 2007.

This new beauty queen, who speaks fluent Tibetan and Chinese, came into exile in India in December 2007 to seek “better opportunities to study”. She likes dancing, reading and studying languages and hopes to become a dance teacher someday.

Sonam edged out the only other contestant Jamyang Chentso, the 22-year old from Bir, Himachal Pradesh in India.

Chentso works as a receptionist in a country club in New Delhi and likes playing basketball, swimming and dancing. She believes “Miss Tibet symbolizes Tibet as a nation”.


Miss Tibet contestants, Sonam Choedon (left) and Jamyang Chentso walking on the ramp in evening gown (Photo: Tenzin Dasel/Phayul)

The new Miss Tibet was presented 100,000 rupees and the runner-up with 50,000 rupees.

The organizer Lobsang Wangyal thinks Tibetan women are still shying away from taking part in the pageant and insisted that they needed more courage and confidence to come forward.

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Will she compete on Miss Earth 2008?