Miss Tibet pageant cancelled

Dharamsala, May 2 (IANS) The annual Miss Tibet beauty pageant has been cancelled in the wake of renewed tension in Tibet and a series of self-immolations by Tibetans, organisers said here Wednesday.

'The situation in Tibet is quite tense. A number of self-immolations, mostly involving young Tibetans, have been reported. We have decided to forego this year's Miss Tibet pageant,' Lobsang Wangyal, the event's director-producer, told IANS.

'The grim circumstances leave no room for pageantry and celebrations,' he said.

The 10th edition of the pageant held last year had six participants, including two from the US and Switzerland.

The Miss Tibet contest started in 2002 amid mixed response from exiled Tibetans.

Many, including the Tibetan government-in-exile, opposed the event, saying it was not part of Tibetan tradition.