Immolations scar Miss Tibet contest

Tenzin Lhamo, a registered nurse based in Madison, US, was crowned Miss Tiber 2013, at the pagent organised by Lobsang Wabgyal Productions, held at a Tibetan food joint in Koramangala in Bangalore.

The uniqueness of the event was such that there were no runners up for pageant, with Lhamo being the only applicant for this year’s pageant.

Speaking on the occasion, Tenzin Lhamo shared her grief over the long standing conflict between China and Tibet, which caused many Tibetans to sacrifice their lives.

“I would request the democratic nations like India, US, UK and other countries to step in and help find a solution to stop the Chinese repression of Tibetans, that is forcing millions to live in exile, away from their motherland” said the winner of Miss Tibet 2013. She also donated the Rs1 lakh of the cash prize to an organization working for the cause.

Fielding questions on the lack of participants at this years event, director of Lobsang Wangyal, said ongoing protests and self immolations of many Tibetian protestors were among the reasons for lack of enthusiasm this year. .

Although event producers planned on organizing the pageant in big way in Bylakuppe, a Tibetan settlement near Kushalnagar in Mysore district, lack of applicants forced them to relocate the event in Bangalore.

This is the 11th edition of the pageant and the first in Bangalore. Previous events were held at Dharmasala in Himachal Pradesh.

Follow Anantha Subramanyam K @ananthaforu