Contestants of Miss Himalaya Pageant 2019 pose during a press conference in McLeod Ganj, India, on 11 October 2019. MHP

McLEOD GANJ, India, 11 October 2019

Months of preparations have culminated in the welcome of eight contestants for the Miss Himalaya Pageant 2019. They have been preparing all along, as much as we have been. We are all ready to go for the show. The Finale Night will be at the Club House, McLeod Ganj, at 6 pm on Saturday.

The eight contestants are: Babita Rai, 25, from Nepal; Damini Rawat, 23, from Mandi; Karuna Verma, 23, from Mandi; Santosh Kumari, 24, from Chamba; Sapna Devi, 20, from Mandi; Shalika Rana, 21, from Kangra; Shrutika Sharma, 22, from Nainital; and Upasana Kaushal, 21, from Kangra.

The online voting for Miss Photogenic will begin at 5 pm this evening, and go on to 5 pm tomorrow evening. The winner of the vote will get five marks that will be added to her total.

The contestants will be tested on their intelligence, talent, confidence, and poise, through competition rounds of Talk, Talent, Traditional costume, and Interview, judged by a three-member jury.

The winner will receive a prize of one lakh rupees, the first runner-up 50,000, and the second runner-up 25,000 rupees.

Finding sponsors has always been a problem. We received rupees 50,000 donation from Phendhey Che-Kyong Sorig Tibetan Herbal Clinic in Sudher. Kunga Guest House donated 10,000 rupees, and Anupama from Mumbai donated 10,000 rupees. We are also happy to have a donation from Hotel Association of McLeod Ganj. The amount will be decided soon. Any sponsorship assistance is still welcome to cover the costs of the event.

Organised since 2012, the Miss Himalaya Pageants celebrate and empower young Himalayan women, their unique culture, and the pristine environment around them.

Lobsang Wangyal
Director