Sonam won the title after going through four rounds of competitions, which included Evening Gown, Talent, Traditional Costume, and Interview, at the Tibetan Institute of Performing Arts (TIPA) on October 12. A panel of two judges, Dr Rashmi Ramoul, a lecturer at the Government College for Teachers’ Education, and Natasha Mendes, a belly-dance teacher from Brasil, elected the winner. Sonam was crowned Miss Tibet by Tenzin Dolma, Miss Tibet 2007.
This new beauty queen, who speaks fluent Tibetan and Chinese, came into exile in India in December 2007 to seek “better opportunities to study”. She likes dancing, reading and studying languages and hopes to become a dance teacher someday. Sonam edged out the only other contestant Jamyang Chentso, the 22-year old from Bir, Himachal Pradesh in India.Chentso works as a receptionist in a country club in New Delhi and likes playing basketball, swimming and dancing. She believes “Miss Tibet symbolizes Tibet as a nation”.The new Miss Tibet was presented 100,000 rupees and the runner-up with 50,000 rupees.The organizer Lobsang Wangyal thinks Tibetan women are still shying away from taking part in the pageant and insisted that they needed more courage and confidence to come forward.
