Dharamsala, Feb 19: Miss Tibet 2004, Tashi Yangchen has been debarred from taking part in 'Miss Tourism World' pageant being held at Zimbabwe allegedly owing to objections raised by China.
"She was ousted from the contest under Chinese pressure as Chinese embassy at Harare objected to the participation of Ms Tibet in the contest", Lopsang Wangyal, director of Ms Tibet contest said.
He said the "organisers came under pressure and Miss Tibet was expelled from the contest".
Describing the exclusion of Miss Tibet from the pageant as "very sad", Wangyal said "it was unfortunate that power and politics should dictate the feelings and aspirations of young Tibetan women".
The pageant has nothing to do with politics and it was an effort to showcase Tibetan culture in contemporary fashions", he added.
He said that dreams and aspiration of Tibetan women were hurt and appealed that such events should be kept away from politics.
Bureau Report
