Miss Tibet pageant facing American visa issue, postponed

DHARAMSHALA: Miss Tibet beauty pageant - a western-style contest with a swimsuit round held within the traditional Tibetan exile community was shifted to America from Mcleodganj for the year 2018.
It was the only beauty pageant held among the Tibetan community living in exile. But due to visa issue for Tibetan participants from India, the event scheduled for August 11th this year has now been postponed.
This was not like ordinary beauty contests.It was held with a single participant for four times and had remained a darling for international media too.
Lobsang Wangyal, a Tibetan who was the founder and proprietor of this pageant has now approached the embassy requesting the visa for the participants.
There were seven contestants who had to travel to America from India. They have applied for the visa on July 11 at Delhi but failed to get the visa. The event was scheduled for August 11th but now has been postponed.
“The Pageant was initially planned on 11 August. Because of the visa issue, we had to change our programme. Now the Pageant will take place without the contestants from India on 3rd of November in New York City. We might have six contestants participating from the US” said Wangyal.
A company owned by a Tibetan in New York City was to produce this event. But visa issue has spoiled the efforts.
This event was started in 2002. This low budget crown with plenty of small-town quirks used to take place at Tibetan Institute of Performing Arts (TIPA) near Mcleodganj till 2017. Tenzin Paldon (21) from Kollegal of Karnatka was crowned as Miss Tibet 2017.
Organizers have refused to reveal the names of the seven participants due to privacy issue. But the letter written by them to embassy mentioned about the audience of former contestants with Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama and recognition by him.