WHAT MISS NEPAL REALLY IS?

As more diverse group are actively involved in social networking sites, the debate about current Miss Nepal has fuelled up. Links to her profile are splashed all around wall of FB and tweets. Her snaps in glamourous dresses, poses among the wild animals, and some controversial interview are being shared and viewed as never before. Even her nationality is a concern for many. Whatever be the case, Shristi Shrestha certainly enjoys popularity that none of the previous Miss Nepal had.

Criteria: Mrs of  Nepal

I think most of us have not understood what Miss Nepal really is. They love to call it "Miss Nepal World" while it is in real "Miss Upper Class Nepal". While, running across some tweets on this issue, one said about recent trend of winners "Is it necessary to be a Newar to be a Miss Nepal?". Well, not necessarily but you need to be that of an upper class rich family. The trend has risen to such proportion that, allegedly Hidden Treasure requested Shristi Shrestha to participate in Miss Nepal due to her modelling experience in England. It seems like the organizers are trying to make their presence felt at the World stage, by whatever means available.

Like any other beauty paegent, Miss Nepal depends on its sponsor which are predominantly beauty products. Imagine a farmer's daughter from Chitwan winning Miss Nepal, will her standing next to such cosmetic brands satisfy the sponsors? Certainly not! But instead if u have a stunning model, who is professional enough to know her poses by heart is gonna bring instant attention to their products. Imagine a posh beauty parlour opening with hands of current Miss Nepal, that shall just add up to its reputation. Such consumerism leads to selection of beautiful and glamorous ladies who have capability to perform as a brand ambassdor to the event's sponsor.

It is unfair to expect more than this from the organizers. Neither are they a governmental body, nor they are here to prove Miss Nepal represents Nepal. A ragged ,rugged and one of the poorest country of the world; no organizers can't ensure fair participation.Nepal is no USA where every high school girl carries a make up kit. The middle class and poor of Nepal can't afford participating in such events. They don't necessarily know the make up, dressing, ramp walks techniques. A name shake grooming session is just like 2 week of coaching before your final exams. Moreover, the winners must  bear all the expenses for preparations with little or no support from the organizers. These hurdles have narrowed the juridisction of Miss Nepal into rich and thick wall of Kathmandu.

Ctiteria: Miss Nepal World

So, for those who criticize Miss Nepal; please stop it. Your voice is just not worth it. Miss Nepal was never designed for our agenda of inclusive and intelligent competition. It is just a show like "Indian Idol", which necessarily doesn't indicate what Indian Idols are or must look like. Miss Nepal, is merely a show where the upper class ladies with equally high esteemed questioners participate. Some clap, and some protest.The results are obvious.

Yes, the name "Miss Nepal" makes us feel that the event must be a concern of whole Nepal, however that is far from truth. And if Hidden Treasure asks for only candidates who are comfortable in Bikini; it won't surprise me for they are completely hyped by consumerism. Well, I do confess if the Miss World event has a swim suit round why doesn't Miss Nepal have it. I think that will attract more glamour, audience, sponsors and at least better our chances of being crowned Miss World rather than going abroad for recruitment. For those women leaders who criticize Miss Nepal, they rather get working into cases of forced prostitution of Nepalese women in Brothels of India and Nepal.

If somebody wishes to participate in such event and want a platform to model in ads and see the world at least for once, does our constitution stop it?

(photo courtesy: womennewsnetwork.net nepaliblogger.com)