KATHMANDU, March 5: After postponing twice, the finale of this year’s Miss Nepal has been set for March 20 and is scheduled to take place at Nepal Academy Hall in Kathmandu.
Since February 11, the rigorous grooming sessions have kept the 18 finalists absolutely busy. Republica caught up with them just after one of their sessions with Rachana Gurung Sharma, Trainer of Miss Nepal.
This year’s list of contestants comprises of many known faces. Many of them have had brief stints in modeling but what’s striking is the different educational backgrounds these girls come from. Samikshya Shrestha, 21, just returned after completing her two-year diploma in Language and Communication in Japan and says if she wins, she’ll help her grandfather’s organization for underprivileged children - Peace Wave Nepal.
National volleyball player Sipora Gurung, who is also one of the contestants this year and is awaiting the release of her film, Ghalek ‘The Sign of Love’, said, “Miss Nepal was one of the things in my bucket list and this is every Nepali girl’s dream and I’m no different.”
Similarly, Ishani Shrestha, said, “I have been watching Miss Nepal on TV since 1994 and I remember I used to try walking like the contestants. This has always been a dream for me.”
She also cites the training sessions as absolutely fruitful, “We have had visitors from even unexpected fields like spirituality apart from the usual fields like communication and photography; and we have been visiting different places like Maiti Nepal, WWF Nepal and Bottlers Nepal.”
Familiar faces also included Ashmita Sitoula who is also a VJ for Mountain TV and was one of the participants of Miss Teen 2011. “I look for satisfaction more than success and I’m satisfied when I’m helping someone,” said the student of Social Work at Thames College, adding “I like to meet people and my career plans will benefit a lot from this platform and what it has to offer.”
Apart from those with modeling experience, a few of the contestants also have had other beauty pageant experiences before Miss Nepal. Like 22-year old Meghna Shrestha who was the 1st runner-up of Miss Teen College 2008, Sumi Lama (Moktan) who won the title of Miss Tamang 2012, Riju Shrestha who was one of the top 5 finalists of Miss Global 2012, Bindu KC who won the ‘Face of the Year’ in 2012 in Bangalore and Oshima Banu who won the ‘Classic Face’ of Classic Diamonds Jewelry in 2012.
With experiences of this sort, competition is tough but the 18 finalists look anything but nervous. While the country is anticipating the finale, the ladies are going through daily grooming sessions at International Club, Sanepa from morning to evening.
May the best one win!
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