Tsokye Tsomo Karchung, 24, wasn’t really ambitious. “I love working with people. I can listen to them and I’d wanted to be a counsellor,” she says.

But life had other things waiting for this sociology, psychology and multi-media student. And, in a span of about three months, she has gone on to become the country’s first Miss Bhutan. She was then working on a script for her documentary, which of course is now on hold. “I thank my family and friends for all their support during the contest. My sister missed the show because she was backstage helping me,” said Tsokye Tsomo.

Tsok Tsok, as her family calls her, talks like an excited teenager about her hobbies and food. Ask her about Buddhism and youth and, with the same passion, you get to see the serious side of her.

“I can’t live without rice,” says Tsokye, who studied abroad right from high school. She mixes Dzongkha and English at times while speaking and says, “You know chilip yukha jow da (when you’re abroad), they have small meals and I feel that I haven’t eaten. I have to have one solid meal and then I feel full, happy and content.”

Yes, we know she is into yoga and meditation but she also eats a lot of junk food. So how does she maintain her figure?

She laughs, and says, “I think I just don’t put on weight. I eat almost five times a day and that too all rice, and I snack, but I don’t put on weight.”

” I think I have a problem,” she adds. “And, yes, yoga helps and makes a difference when you walk and carry yourself.”

Her bad habit she thinks is biting her lips and using a lot of “y’know” while talking. And her good habit is? “I get up early. AT 7 AM!”

Working with people would be her first priority as Miss Bhutan. “We know we’re going wrong and we’re the future but we’re also the present. So I want to work with youth,” she says.

Tsokye doesn’t underplay gender inequality in Bhutan but says it doesn’t take lives or destroy families. Youth problems, on the other hand, like violence, theft, drugs - these are destroying families, killing people. “And that’s where I want to focus and work with the youth.”

So there, you see a glimpse of her serious side.

Tsokye feels that Bhutan has a good chance at the Miss Earth beauty pageant in Philippines and she is preparing hard. “We are with rocks, trees, rivers and 70 percent of our people are dependent on nature. So I’ll give my best.”

We sure think you will and that this is only the beginning.

[Source: Kuensel Newspaper]

Among other prizes, the Miss Bhutan took home a cash prize of Nu 0.1 million.

She was crowned by Miss Thailand 2006 Charm Reya Osthanond, one of the five judges. Fifteen women competed for the title at the contest that lasted past midnight.

[Source: Kuensel Newspaper]

WANGCHUK DEMA

Date of Birth : 30th March

Dzongkhag : Samdrup Jongkhar

Education : Graduate

Height: 171.5cm Weight: 50 Kg

Hobby/ interests
I love swimming, cycling and traveling. My aim is to become an air hostess.

What does beauty mean to you?
When both perfection and imperfection exist in harmony, that’s beauty.

What makes you proud of your country?
Its ability to adapt to the globalization, yet root its values and principles to the old age traditions and ideals. And believes in Gross National Happiness rather than in Gross National Product.

What does democracy mean to you?
Democracy to me is not a privilege but a responsibility…Responsibility to decide what is good for the people but foremost to decide what is best for the country.

The most influential person in your life
My ideal person is Dalai Lama for his ideals about non violence. He was awarded Nobel Prize for his unrelenting effort towards freedom for Tibet through non violence. He continuously pursued to his country men and women to resist the urge to violence and terrorism.

What is the best thing about your dzongkhag?
Samdrup Jongkhar is the gateway to the east. With this reputation comes the colour of border. It’s an important part of Bhutan because of its location. Most trading of the eastern region takes place here.

Date of Birth : 5th September

Dzongkhag : Thimphu

Education : High School

Height: 180.5cm  Weight: 60 Kg

TSOKYE TSOMO KARCHUNG

Date of Birth : 20th August

Dzongkhag : Thimphu

Education : Graduate

Height: 173cm Weight: 49 Kg

Hobbies and interest
I like many forms of art from painting on canvas to modern digital art and video production. I am also fond of reading - specifically spiritual and business oriented books. I like poetry and writing personal journal and script. I also have a keen interest on studying the anatomy of the human body, learning pressure points and relaxation techniques such as Yoga, Rekhi healing, Pranic breathing and Thai massage. On the lighter side of things, like any girl I love make-up and shoes. And Yes, I love to dance.

What does Beauty mean to you?
When it comes to the battle between inner beauty and physical beauty, I feel that inner beauty defeats outer beauty any given day. The inner beauty gently emerges out into the physical realm very powerfully that the person who you thought was average looking starts to appear more beautiful. Then there are times when ones physical beauty starts to diminish due to the absence of inner beauty. But of course, there is nothing like having a combination of both.

What makes you proud of your country?
I am proud that I come from a country that has a very unique culture and identity, a pristine environment and most importantly, a kingdom that has been blessed with peace under the reign of the benevolent Kings of Bhutan.

I am also proud of the fact that I am a citizen of a country that is the pioneer of the concept and implementation of GNH.

What does democracy mean to you?
Monarchy and democracy are like the stages of a person’s life from being a dependent child to becoming an independent adult. In a monarchy or as a child, we are looked after, guided by our parents and decisions are made by our parents in the best interest of the child. At this stage, we are totally dependent on our parents and lack our individual freedom not because they don’t want to give it to us but because they feel that we need to have a solid foundation - a good understanding of ourselves, our values, our beliefs before we are given the freedom. Once we are given the freedom, we become independent adults, we are now responsible for ourselves, we have the freedom to make decisions about our future but at the same time we have to also bear the consequences of our decisions as well.

The most influential person in your life
My mother is the most influential person in my life. She has supported and nurtured me into the person I am today both in mind and spirit. She has given me the foundation to a positive mind ever since I was a little girl facing little problems and helped it grow at its own pace and now at 23 I can say that, it has become the strongest quality in me. I adore what she has given me and I am ever grateful to have such an influence.

What is the best thing about your Dzongkhag?
The best thing about Thimphu is that it is a vibrant Dzongkhag. It is a developing city that has urban facilities available but at the same time has a rural touch to it. It gives one a balance between living and working in the city and keeping in touch with nature and the rural life.

Date of Birth : 10th March

Dzongkhag : Mongar

Education : High School

Height: 169.5cm  Weight: 55 Kg

TSHERING YANGZOM

Date of Birth : 22nd September

Dzongkhag : Trashigang

Education : Graduate

Height: 170.5cm  Weight: 51 Kg

Hobby/interests
my hobbies/interests is to do social work, anything for a cause. It may be a small brick on the wall but I can make a difference in my own small ways, to be the light in the darkness. I also like reading, helping people and listening to music.

What does beauty mean to u?
I believe there are two types of beauty. Beauty is skin deep; It is not how u look but how u are or what u are. A rose may be called by any name but is always known by its fragrance. It may look different but a rose is always a rose. It is known by the beauty of fragrance it has.

What makes you proud of your country?
Tradition and culture make me proud of my country. Our country has been successful in maintaining modernisation with tradition. It is like a bird with two wings and I am also proud of its environment and the 60% of forest coverage. Above all, I am proud of the concept of GNH adopted by our 4th King.

What does democracy mean to you?
It is simply the fundamental rights of the people.

The most influential person in your life
-It is truly said that god cannot be everywhere, so he made mother. Her care and affection has unknown bottom. She is a perfect mother, wife, daughter-in-law, aunt and above all a good human being. She is the charm of my life and my most influential person

What is the best thing about your dzongkhag?
I am happy to say that the highest shortlisted contestants for this contest are from Trashigang. The main attraction is handloom (textile) woven by the talented people, which have also won prizes in fashion shows at Thimphu. It has also been exhibited to the world like in the recently held festival at university of Texes, El Paso,

TSHERING YANGZOM

Date of Birth : 10th October

Dzongkhag : Bumthang

Education : High School

Height: 170.5cm  Weight: 50 Kg

Hobbies/interest:
My hobby is cooking and listening to music. I am interested in playing games,
dealing with people and helping them and of course making friends.

What does beauty mean to you?
Beauty means not only the physical appearance but the quality inside. She should have the inner quality and the outer as well. As saying, ” Beauty is skin deep “.She should be perfect from both the sides.

What makes you proud of your country?
I am proud of my country because it is such a beautiful place located in the middle of two vast and developed countries like China and India. I can also say it is a place which is deeply committed in pursuing happiness. “Happiness is the main aim of our country “.

What does democracy mean to you?
Democracy for me is the complete right or freedom of the people.

The most influential person in your life
The most influential person in my life is my beloved parents because they have been the root of my success till now. Every step i took they were always there to help me in my ups and downs. They are my encouragement after all…

What is the best thing about your dzongkhag?
The best thing about my dzongkhag Bumthang is that it is a historical place, the best tourist destination in Bhutan and one of the most religious places. I can also say that it is one of the gifted places of Guru Rinpochhe.

TSHERING PEM

Date of Birth : 4th January

Dzongkhag : Trashigang

Education : Graduate

Height: 175.5cm  Weight: 59 Kg

Hobby/interests
Helping people and doing social works are my passion and to give my shoulders to the people who are in need of help is my motive. I may not be a perfect helper in all terms, but I can always be a guiding star for people from all walks of life. Especially, I am totally interested to render my hand to the old people, who have no shelter to live.

What does beauty mean to you?
Everybody in this world is born beautiful and handsome. But it depends on how we look and how we define. Beauty is a characteristic of a person, place, object or idea that provides a perceptual experience of pleasure, meaning or satisfaction. Beauty is studied as part of aesthetics, sociology, social psychology and culture. An “ideal beauty” is a person who is admired, or possesses features widely attributed to beauty in a particular culture. We shouldn’t poorly or wish to be someone else, instead embrace our personal beauty and be happy.

What makes u proud of your country?
There are many things that I love about my country. In light of this; it’s the preservation of our culture and tradition that our forefather has adopted. Maintaining equilibrium with regard to environment and the system of government which makes our people, to live peacefully be also the factors. Above all, the concept of Gross National Happiness initiated by our fourth Druk Gyalpo. It’s not a matter of happiness for a person or so but it is a pivot which balances the happiness of Bhutanese. And the census done recently has showed that Bhutanese are happy people and so is the country. GNH has truly added the spices, giving recognition to the countries around the globe.

What does democracy mean to you?
Democracy is a system of government by which political sovereignty is retained by the people and exercised directly by citizens. In modern times it has also been used to refer to a constitutional republic where the people have a voice through their elected representatives.

The most influential person in your life
This world has been created by Motherhood..It’s an Innocent love.. there is no limitation, no expectation and no selfishness in this love. A woman is always lucky being a Mother…and it makes her a complete woman. So the most influential person in my life is My Mom! Definition of love, care, affection, values and other wonderful things may all be placed under term motherhood. Keeping in her for nine months with care, teaching me how to walk by holding my little fingers then, till this span of time; she has taught me to be best in life. She is my most influential person. What I am today is because of her. She is my shadow, my eyes, my world in fact everything. Lastly! Mothers are like fine collectibles - as the years go by, they increase in value.

What is the best thing about your Dzongkhag?
No matter where I am, my heart will always be in Trashigang because home is where your heart is. It is something that cannot be expressed but can be felt. But credit also goes to the people of Trashigang, who are down to earth, hard working and co-operative. The fine artiste and weavers have also added the spark and glow to our dzongkhag! Trashigang!

TASHI PELDEN

Date of Birth : 17th December

Dzongkhag : Wangdue

Education : Graduate & PG (RIM)

Height: 175cm  Weight: 50 Kg

Hobbies/interest:
Trekking, photography, travelling and music. I am also fond of electronic gadgets.

What does beauty mean to you?
I would say that a beautiful woman should have all the elements that make her almost perfect. The elements of beauty are simplicity, purity at heart; believe in themselves/self confidence and lastly the external beauty which depends on the other elements of beauty.
Moreover a beautiful woman cannot be someone perfect because God takes something away from a person’s life when he gives something to that person.

What makes you proud of your country?
Rich culture, rich environment and our selfless king, the fourth Druk Gyalpo are the main factors that make me proud of my country.

What does democracy mean to you?
In simple term Democracy means empowerment of the citizens so that their voices are heard at national level
.
The most influential person in your life
My Mother.

What is the best thing about your dzongkhag?
The best thing about my dzongkhag is the fertile landscape