Beauty with a purpose: K'pong pageant in December

NISHA CHETTRI,SNS, KALIMPONG, 22 DECEMBER 2018: As the town gears up for its  annual Miss Kalimpong beauty pageant once again, the event this year is set to show-case "High Fashion Revolution."

The town is bracing up for the grand finale event that will be held at the historic Meta Ground here on 8 December with the theme "High Fashion Revolution" and slogan "Confidently Beautiful."

Fifteen girls tram different parts of Kalimpong district have made to the final round while auditions the other preliminary rounds were held on 30 and 31 October.

"The training and grooming session is going on in full swing presently to prepare the girls. All are equally ready to win the crown," a member of the organising team said.

A contestant, Kabita Darjee, said she has been learning the trick of the trade in the everyday sessions, which she cannot learn staying home.

"I feel so lucky to be selected for the finale. I have been learning so many things every day. I will adopt the things that I have learnt here in my life even after the final round, she said, oozing confidence.

The CEO of the 'Miss Kalimpong Organisation', Gyalshen Lah, said the concept for the pageant is' beauty with a purpose,' and that this was originally a format of the Miss World pageant, from where he drew inspiration.

"Miss Kalimpong is not just about fashion, but a lot of social service is included during the training session. For example, the girls have been asked to submit a beauty with a purpose (written) project, where the three winners will directly go to the top six in the finale and win the 'beauty with a purpose' title. The girls have submitted projects on animal protection, multiple intelligence, human trafficking and parentless children," Lah said.

While the official designer/curator of the event is Sunni Rai (for ethnic designs), backed by the 'Kyido house of fashion,' the entire Miss Kalimpong-2018 is sponsored by Mani Trust

With the event in 2017 held at the Girls' High School Centenary hall, Miss Kalimpong beauty pageant has become a brand in itself as it has earned a reputation of being the most happening fashion event in the town.

"It all started with Nakkal, a fashion event held some years ago in the town hall here. I was always a fashion enthusiast though in between I had started a Facebook page called Humans of Kalimpong.' But later on I realised that we can do a lot more in our own place, in terms of unleashing the potential of our own women who are wandering around in search of a proper platform," Mr Lah said.

Public relations officers of the event, Neha Rai and Boom Lama, said they both are learning new things as they conduct the pageant. 

"We both are also learning new things in every session, most importantly, we are witnessing the transformation of the girls, which feels good and positive," they said.