Grooming for possibilities

Himalayan News Service

Kathmandu:

The training for the preparation of Miss Nepal 2004 is in full swing at the International Club, Sanepa. The formal training session that will groom the finalists for the mega event scheduled for August 7 started on July 6. The training on July 7 began with tips on career and personality development. It was conducted by former Miss Nepal Shweta Singh who took home the title in 1999. The training will continue for two more weeks before the 23 finalists appear on stage for the grande finale. Miss Nepal 2004, The Hidden Treasure presentation, is celebrating it 10th year. Sponsored by Dabur Nepal in association with Kathmandu Jaycees, the official media for the mega event is The Himalayan Times.

Miss Nepal says

Shweta Singh won the Miss Nepal crown in 1999 and is now involved with Miss Nepal 2004 contest as the career and personality development trainer. Of this year’s contest she says, “Everyday is an evolution and we have seen lots of change in the last six years.” She adds that participating in the contest and winning the crown is not the only achievement, real life starts then. As one becomes a celebrity overnight, the burden and responsibility certainly increases. Tackling them is more important than competing and winning, believes Shweta. “The participants are raw and they need training on many things including personality development, tackling media and other essential factors. I am helping prepare them on these terms.”

Shweta, who was already working before she won the crown, believes that there should be orientation programmes conducted to improve the contest. In the last 10 years, there have been improvements but she opines that more is desired. One major factor essential in this country, she says, is the realisation that contests like Miss Nepal are major events which not only boost the morale and confidence of aspiring candidates but also open doors of opportunities. “I am an example,” says Shweta, “Though I was working already before I won the crown, I had lots of opportunities after winning the title.” Shweta later worked for Tiger Tops as manager for three years and is currently associated with Samsung Nepal.