Staff reporter | Himalayan Mirror

GANGTOK, Sikkim, 15 October 2012

Rinchen Dolma Bhutia of Sikkim has won the title of “Miss Himalaya” first beauty pageant held at Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh, on Saturday. The 23-year-old was among five finalists including 3 Sikkimese girls participating in the area’s first beauty pageant “Miss Himalayan Pageant: for peace and environment” held in the Tibetan Institute of Performing Arts (TIPA) on October 12-13. Kunga Tsetan and Anne Norbu were other two participants from the Sikkim. There are no Tibetans taking part in the beauty contest.

Dolma, daughter of Kenzong Bhutia, headmaster of Upper Pachak Primary School, and Sukrani Tamang, Panchayat eudcation assistant, completed her study up to secondary in Sikkim, and had gone to Chandigarh for completing her studies in Tourism, Aviation and Hospitality Management at Chandigarh. Besides, in 2007 she was the 1st runner-up and bagged miss personality award in Thunder Miss Sikkim Contest of 2007.

The beauty pageant was a challenge against racism that people from north-east India face. “Through this beauty pageant, I would like to spread the message to everyone that all of us from the north-east Indian states are a proud part of this great nation of India,” Dolma said.

The winner received prize money of one lakh rupees, while the first and second runners-up won Rs 50,000 respectively.