McLEOD GANJ, 9 October 2017

Preksha Rana won the crown of the Miss Himalaya Pageant 2017 at a modest pageant in McLeod Ganj on Sunday. Preksha, 21, is from Gaggal, Himachal Pradesh. She is a student pursuing BA in English literature.

A three-member jury choose Preksha over seven other contestants. Tashi Lhamo from Kathmandu was chosen the First Runner-up, and Palak Thakur the Second Runner-up. Out-going Ayushi Sethi passed on the crown to the new winner.

“It was my dream to be a part of this Pageant, and I prepared and worked really hard. I am happy that I made it,” said an elated Preksha Rana after being crowned the new winner.

“The Pageant gave me a new path and I hope to further pursue my ambitions in modelling and acting.”

“I will try to live up to the expectations and the responsibilities the title carries. And, would like to motivate other Himalayan girls to follow their dreams and ambitions without caring about the society’s judgement.”

The three judges were Ghazala Abdullah, a social and environmental activist; Atul Acharya, an English lecturer at Government College in Jwalamukhi; and Usha Dobhal, a healer and provider of workshops for woman empowerment.

The event which was held at the Tibetan Institute of Performing Arts (TIPA) was filled with music as an array of local performers entertained the audience.