Press Release
(August 18, 2004)

Attention: The Rising Nepal
The News Section

One of the daily newspapers of Kathmandu published an article on Sunday, August 15, 2004, reporting that Okhaldhunga's Harkapur Secondary School was swept away by the floods from Sunkoshi. We are shocked to know that the students are rendered school less due to this incident.

As Concerned citizens of Nepal, we, the former Miss Nepals have decided to donate an amount of NRs. 21,000 to this school for rejuvenation.

The former Miss Nepals who have donated this amount are Mrs. Ruby Rana Shah, Mrs Nilima Gurung, Ms. Jharana Bajracharya, Ms. Sweta Singh, Mrs Usha Khadgi Timilsina, Ms. Malvika Subba and Ms. Priti Sitaula. The money was collected among ourselves.

Malvika Subba.
Miss Nepal 2002

Payal Shakya, Miss Nepal 2004
(July 19, 2004)

Himalayan News Service, Kathmandu

After much anticipation, the grand finale of Dabur Vatika Miss Nepal 2004 was held with pomp and show at the Birendra International Convention Centre on August 7. The wait was over as Priti Sitoula, Miss Nepal 2003 handed over the crown to the new Miss Nepal, Payal Shakya. The event was organised by The Hidden Treasure in association with Kathmandu Jaycees. Dabur Nepal was the main sponsor of the event and The Himalayan Times was the official media. As objections and protests continued in the vicinity of the venue, many were eagerly waiting for the declaration of the new beauty queen. All is well that ends well and contestant No 17 Payal Shakya emerged the winner of the most coveted beauty title of the country. Sarah Gurung, contestant No 1 was declared the first runner-up and Anita Gurung, contestant No 12 was chosen as the second runner-up. A major focus of the event was the presentation of some of the former Miss Nepals — Ruby Rana, Nilima Gurung, Sweta Singh, Usha Khadki and Malvika Subba. Ruby Rana and Usha Khadki shared their memories and achievements whereas Priti Sitoula once again came in the defensive mode to deliver her message to the protestors. Malvika vowed that she would be of help and assistance for the improvement and sustenance of the Miss Nepal event.

The 11 judges deciding the fate of the 18 contestants were Bishnu P Shah (chief judge), former chief election commissioner; Siddheshwar K Singh, executive chairman of National Life and General Insurance Co Ltd; Usa Choegyal, eco-tourism consultant; Narendra Bajracharya, president, Hotel Associatoin of Nepal; Seema Golcha, director, Samsung Digital World; Kiran P Saakha, director, Saakha Group of Industries; Nalina Chitrakar Mishra, singer; Mukunda P Malla, country manager, DHL Nepal; Dr Achala Vaidya; Vijaya Lama, pilot and cine artiste; and Melina Manandhar, cine actress. The 10 semi-finalists were asked questions by different judges. While some were able to put forth their answers clearly, some faltered. Most of the contestants did not seem to comprehend the questions and hence the answers were way off mark. Nevertheless, some girls stood confident and proved their mettle. The top five finalists were able to create an impact from the very beginning with their confidence, catwalk and answers. Sarah Gurung, Anita Gurung, Harina Bogati, Payal Shakya and Mamata Malhotra made it to the top five. The chief judge of contest, Bishnu P Shah, asked them: "If you were made the prime minister of Nepal, what three changes would you make for the development of the country?"

Payal Shakya's confident answer that she would "strengthen the living standards of the people, improve quality education and work for women's empowerment". She instantly won the hearts of all present, including the judges and walked home with the title.

Source: The Himalayan Times - www.thehimalayantimes.com

Press Release
(July 19, 2004)

For the first time in this year's Dabur Vatika Miss Nepal 2004, an interesting contest added is Vatika My Choice contest. 20 Lucky winners of this contest will get a chance to have dinner with Miss Nepal 2004, be photographed with Miss Nepal and will get gift hampers form Vatika.

On 27th July 2004, a special program will be aired on NTV at 9.10 pm. This program will give a platform to all the contestants to introduce themselves and show their brief talents to the general public at large. Contestants' photographs and brief profiles are also available through press releases as well as through the official website: www.missnepal.com.np

Viewers need to decide their choice of who they think deserve to be Miss Nepal 2004. All the entries can be sent to vadka@daburcom.np or to "Vatika My Choice" P.O. Box-14375, Kathmandu. For further details on the contestants one can log on to the site: www.missnepal.com.np

A week-long campaign "Vatika My Choice" will also be organized at the major departmental stores, colleges artd food joints in Kathmandu, wherein one can visit the stall, get the information about the contestants and decide their choice on the spot of who they think deserve to be Miss Nepal 2004.

Vatika My Choice is a pro event aimed at generating excitement and involvement among the general public at large, in which general public will be invited to choose their favorite among Miss Nepal contestants.

Press Release
(July 19, 2004)

Press Release Dabur Vatika Miss Nepal 2004 enters Final Stage of Preparation

The countdown for Dabur Vatika Miss Nepal 2004 has begun. This year also marks the 10th Anniversary of Miss Nepal Pageants. To mark the occasion The Hidden Treasure has chalked out a special programme, which is built around the theme, PEACE, to be, staged on Saturday, August 7, 2004, at BICC, Naya Baneshwor. The pageant this year will bring together all the former Miss Nepals' on the stage.

At the outset there were altogether 58 applicants. It required two-sittings of interviews to bring down the number to 23. Finally, as of today there are 18 contestants who have survived the tough five hours daily training, which is being held here at the International Club, Sanepa from July 5, 2004. As in the past ten years, Chief Trainer Rachana Gurung Sharma puts the contestants through routine five hours of training where contestants are taught on confidence building, public speaking, poise, ramp walking, appearance etc.

Kamala Shrestha of Siam Beauty Parlour grooms the contestants about beauty tips relating to face, hair and skin. Sanyukta Shrestha who is the dress designer for this year's pageant provides tips on the art of dressing. To give the contestants better knowledge, numbers of lectures have also been designed. Ranjit Acharya (Prisma Advertising) delivered lecture on the 'Success Mantra', Kama Shakya (Conservationist) on 'Tourism and Conservation', while Shalini Wadhwa (Managing Editor of The Boss) will deliver lecture on 'Communication Skills' and Rabin Lama (Stimulus Advertising) on 'Public Speaking'.

To keep abreast with the developments at home and abroad contestants have been provided with a set of local newspapers and to bring the best out of them, a Talent Show is scheduled at the Russian Cultural Centre on July 23. Grooming in the art of etiquette, table manners and personality development is scheduled at the Babar Mahal Revisited to be conducted by Jeetu Rana. Numbers of social visits also have been planned. Just today the contestants visited Bhaktapur Cancer Hospital, and in the next few days they will visit the Bal Mandir, World Wildlife Fund, Dabur and APCA corporate offices.

Judging for the Best Hair, Complexion, Smile and Photogenic (with the help of Raj Bhai Suwal our Official Photographer) will take place here at the International Club. Pre-Judging is scheduled for August 3, at the Radisson Hotel and the Grand Rehearsal will take place at the BICC on August 6. In order for the contestants to be able to focus on the final pageant day, two day close camp is scheduled at the Everest Hotel, courtesy the BOSS magazine. An eleven-member panel of judges coming from various walks of life will finally select the winners on the final pageant day. With such meticulous planning and with whatever resources available within the country, the organizers hope, win or loose, the contestants after the pageant will come out to be a more confident and better individual.

Dabur Nepal and The Hidden Treasure for the first time this year are launching the Viewer's "Vatika My Choice" Contest, from July 27 onwards TV viewers will be able to watch and see all the contestants with their full informations and introduction to be aired by NTV to assist the viewers pick their choice. The lucky 20 winners of the contest will have the opportunity to dine with Dabur Vatika Miss Nepal 2004 and will receive a special gift hamper from Dabur Nepal. NTV will carry live, the Dabur Vatika Miss Nepal 2004 Pageant from BICC on August 7 from 4:30 pm onwards. The Hidden Treasure in association with The Kathmandu Jaycees organizes Miss Nepal Pageant annually.

July 19,2004

Press Release
(May 31, 2004)

The Hidden Treasure in association with Kathmandu Jaycees, a worldwide youth organization affiliated to Junior Chamber International (JCI) will organize Dabur Vatika Miss Nepal Pageant 2004. This is the third consecutive year for Dabur Nepal Pvt. Ltd. to host this event as the main sponsor.

This year Miss Nepal Pageant takes on an added importance because it's the pageant's 10th Anniversary.

The Pageant is scheduled to be held on August 7, 2004 at Birendra International Convention Center. The winner of the pageant will have the opportunity to represent Nepal at Miss World 2004 whereas the First runner up will be competing for Miss Asia Pacific Quest, both scheduled to be held in China later this year.

The Hidden Treasure is an event management organization established in 1995 and has several years of experience in hosting pageants, exhibitions, trade fairs and other social and cultural activities at national and international level. Vatika from Dabur is the leading brand of herbal beauty products. Vatika range of hair care and skin care products include Vatika Hair Oil,Vatika Shampoos (a range of different shampoos for different hair needs) and Vatika Fairness Face Pack. Each of these Vatika products have natural herbs as their active ingredients which promise the best nourishment & beauty.

The contestants will go through an extensive five–weeks training program from June in the art of grooming, confidence building and personality development by some of the best professionals available in the country. A distinguished panel of judges comprising of eminent personalities will select the winners.

The Pageant will also have a number of title awards like: Dabur Vatika Miss Beautiful Hair, Vatika Fairness Face Pack Miss Beautiful Complexion, Dabur Lal Toothpaste Miss Beautiful Smile, Real Fruit Juice Miss Natural Talent, Miss Photogenic, Miss Personality, Miss Best Dress. In addition to these titles a special award, Dabur Vatika Miss People's Choice ( through on line voting by the general public ) has been added.

Application details, entry forms and rules regarding the event can be downloaded from the website: www.missnepal.com.np.

Dabur Nepal is one of the largest companies in the country and is a keen promoter of social activities. With an aim to encourage young Nepalese woman from all walks of life, Dabur Vatika Miss Nepal Pageant offers a platform from where women with beauty, knowledge, and intelligence receive correct exposure to help them realize their full potential as professionals and assist them to be socially responsible citizens.

According to Dabur, Vatika is a brand for the woman of today- someone who is multifaceted and wants more from life. Dabur Nepal remains committed to promoting a cause be it in the area of sports or pageants. It believes that young talented people should be given the opportunity to prove their aptitude and help the society to progress evolving with changing times and requirements.

May 31, 2004

Miss Nepal, a decade now

Himalayan News Service, Kathmandu

The crown is back in the contest as The Hidden Treasure announces Dabur Vatika Miss Nepal Pageant 2004. The pageant has been scheduled for August 7 at Birendra International Convention Centre. Organised in association with Kathmandu Jaycees, the official media for this event is your favourite English daily The Himalayan Times. The application details, entry forms and rules regarding the event has been made available on the Internet at www.missnepal.com.np also. Subarna Chhetri, chairperson of The Hidden Treasure, stated at a press conference held in Hotel Radisson that the rules, regulations and criteria for the contest would remain as before. "We will give the contestants the best possible training as per the resources available," he added.

There are eight title awards and each carry a purse of Rs 5,000. The second runner-up will win a cash prize of Rs 10,000; the first runner-up Rs 25,000 and the winner will be awarded a sum of Rs 50,000. Of all applicants, only 20 will make it to the final round. The age criteria remains between 18 to 25 years and the applicant must be unmarried. Minimum educational qualification cited is SLC and intermediate. When asked if there was a limitation on height, the organisers answered that if they were to impose such a regulation, there might not be enough contestants. Though height does play a crucial role in a pageant as was proved by Prerana Shah who was amongst the top ten at the Miss Asia Pacific contest in 2003.

Miss Nepal 2004 will have the opportunity to represent Nepal at Miss World 2004 while the first runner-up will be competing in Miss Asia Pacific Quest. Both these contests are scheduled to be held in China later this year.

Former Miss Nepals Shweta Singh, Malvika Subba and Usha Khadgi were also present at the conference. Priti Sitoula, the reigning queen passionately spoke against the image of beauty queens as presented by the media. "The Miss World experience was a chance of a lifetime," said Sitoula. "We cannot expect to win just yet but it is a great learning experience." Miss Nepal 2004 will be a special event because it marks the 10th anniversary of the contest. Begun a decade ago as an innovative challenge to celebrate the 25th silver jubilee of Kathmandu Jaycees, the contest has since then helped promote the talent of young girls and give them a platform from which to reach out to a better future.

Source: The Himalayan Times - www.thehimalayantimes.com