Miss Nepal, a decade now

Himalayan News Service

Kathmandu:

The crown is back in the contest as The Hidden Treasure announces Dabur Vatika Miss Nepal Pageant 2004. The pageant has been scheduled for August 7 at Birendra International Convention Centre. Organised in association with Kathmandu Jaycees, the official media for this event is your favourite English daily The Himalayan Times. The application details, entry forms and rules regarding the event has been made available on the Internet at www.missnepal.com.np also. Subarna Chhetri, chairperson of The Hidden Treasure, stated at a press conference held in Hotel Radisson that the rules, regulations and criteria for the contest would remain as before. "We will give the contestants the best possible training as per the resources available," he added.

There are eight title awards and each carry a purse of Rs 5,000. The second runner-up will win a cash prize of Rs 10,000; the first runner-up Rs 25,000 and the winner will be awarded a sum of Rs 50,000. Of all applicants, only 20 will make it to the final round. The age criteria remains between 18 to 25 years and the applicant must be unmarried. Minimum educational qualification cited is SLC and intermediate. When asked if there was a limitation on height, the organisers answered that if they were to impose such a regulation, there might not be enough contestants. Though height does play a crucial role in a pageant as was proved by Prerana Shah who was amongst the top ten at the Miss Asia Pacific contest in 2003.

Miss Nepal 2004 will have the opportunity to represent Nepal at Miss World 2004 while the first runner-up will be competing in Miss Asia Pacific Quest. Both these contests are scheduled to be held in China later this year.

Former Miss Nepals Shweta Singh, Malvika Subba and Usha Khadgi were also present at the conference. Priti Sitoula, the reigning queen passionately spoke against the image of beauty queens as presented by the media. "The Miss World experience was a chance of a lifetime," said Sitoula. "We cannot expect to win just yet but it is a great learning experience." Miss Nepal 2004 will be a special event because it marks the 10th anniversary of the contest. Begun a decade ago as an innovative challenge to celebrate the 25th silver jubilee of Kathmandu Jaycees, the contest has since then helped promote the talent of young girls and give them a platform from which to reach out to a better future.