Ishani Shrestha crowned Miss Nepal World 2013

Ishani Shrestha was crowned Miss Nepal World 2013 during the grand finale held at Nepal Academy Hall, Kamaladi on Wednesday evening.

“I am beyond happy. Thank you for getting me here. My hard work and determination has paid off,” said an emotional Shrestha right after being crowned.

Rojisha Shahi (Thakuri) and Shritima Shah were crowned Miss Nepal Earth 2013 and Miss Nepal International 2013 respectively.

The finale started with the introduction round in which 18 participants walked the stage while their pre-recorded voiceovers were playing in the background. After the first round, the top ten semifinalists were shortlisted.

A jury of ten judges asked questions to the shortlisted contestants after which five finalists were selected on the basis of their answers and pre-judging which took place at International Club, Sanepa on March 16.

The jury comprised Dr Aarati Shah, director of Bhaktapur Cancer Hospital; Aditya Baral, director of PR/Publicity at Nepal Tourism Board; Malina Joshi, Miss Nepal World 2011; Bala Bahadur Kunwar who has previously served as Nepal’s ambassador to Sri Lanka and Pakistan; Charu Malhotra, deputy corporate affairs manager at Kantipur TV; Salman Latif Rawn, managing director of Bottlers Nepal; Sarojani Sherchan, director of Thames International College; Rajendra Shalabh, associate professor of law at Tribhuvan University and executive director of CG Entertainment; actress and media personality Reema Bishwakarma and Anup Bahadur Malla, president of Nepal Carpet Exporters’ Association.

Apart from a dance performance by actress Priyanka Karki, a group of dancers also put up a B-boying dance routine during the event.

For the final round, chief judge Tirtha Man Shakya, former chairman of the Nepal Law Reform Commission, asked the five finalists if they’d prefer nuclear family or joint family.

Prior to announcing the winners, Miss Nepal World 2012 Shristi Shrestha gave her farewell speech in which she described her one-year reign as a beautiful journey full of exceptional memories. “One minute I’d be attending a high-profile event and the next, I’d be in a place where the nearest health post is four days away,” she said, adding that the support she received during her participation in the Miss World contest proves that Nepalis stand for each other.

Among the subtitles, Shritima Shah was declared Miss Photogenic, Meghna Shrestha won the title of Miss Punctuality, Ishani Shrestha won the Best Walk title, Samikshya Shrestha was declared Miss Personality, Riju Shrestha won the Miss Beautiful Smile title, Sipora Gurung was declared Miss Talent; and Ashmita Sitoula won the Fanta Miss Bubbly title with maximum number of likes.

Miss Nepal World, Miss Nepal Earth and Miss Nepal International received flight tickets from Thai Airlines, Philippine Airlines and Nepal Airlines respectively.

Former Miss Nepal Malvika Subba and RJ/VJ Sanjay Gupta hosted the event and they announced that starting this year Shangrila Housing will be giving the winners an apartment at the Sun City apartments in Pepsicola, Bhaktapur.

source: republica,20 march 2013
 Photo: Keshab Thoker/republica