Dharamshala: - Miss Tenzin Yangzom was crowned the 12th Miss Tibet on Sunday evening, [8 June] in a modest coronation ceremony held in the hill town of McLeod Ganj, Dharamshala, Northern India.
Miss Tibet 2011 Tenzin Yangkyi crowned Yangzom, whom the director of the pageant Lobsang Wangyal sashed and presented with a cheque for one lakh (100,000) rupees. According to the pageant organisers, 'she announced the donation of the prize money to two schools for 25,000 rupees each, and another 20,000 rupees for old people's home in McLeod Ganj, and offered 30,000 back to the Pageant.'
'About 1000 people attended the show,' the organisers said, adding: "Fireworks and upbeat music welcomed Mr Lobsang Wangyal, the director of the pageant, who surprised the audience with his new neon green suit. Emcee Suzanne Borton from the UK gave a brief speech and then invited the new Miss Tibet on stage for a short introduction round."
Yangzom displayed a stunning evening gown for the next round, and then in traditional costume she played yang chin (hammered dulcimer) for the final third round. She was then crowned the new Miss Tibet by Miss Tibet 2011 Tenzin Yangkyi.
Among the entertainers of the night included nine-year-old Tenzin Choenyi playing a traditional Tibetan song. Sonam Bolaria, an upcoming local singer, presented two hindi songs. Techung, a well-known Tibetan singer accompanied by artistes of the Tibetan Institute of Performing Arts, delighted the audience with some of his popular songs.
Jigme of the JJI brothers also performed with a group of artistes from TIPA. The Himalayan Band also performed some popular songs before the coronation.
Before the crowning, the director announced the cancellation of the first runner-up position for Ngodup Dolma, one of the contestants in the Miss Tibet Pageant 2011, due to her unprofessional and unethical behaviours. Read the announcement here.
In her speech, Yangzom called for Tibetan unity, and said that she will work to bring awareness about the education of Tibetan youngsters.
On 9 June, new Miss Tibet along with her mother, the pageant director, and staff members went to greet Sikyong Lobsang Sangay, the elected political leader of Tibetan people.
