Shrichchha Pradhan: Miss Nepal dream achieved in 2 months

People share their dreams when they meet each other. Some people achieve their dreams early, some never. But, Shrichchha Pradhan is among the lucky ones who achieved her dream in two months.

Two months ago, she dreamed of becoming “Miss Nepal World”. And it concluded with her becoming the 27th Miss Nepal. She won the title after outshining 23 other competitors in the competition a few days ago.

She had no interest in becoming Miss Nepal after returning from America 7 months prior. But as she saw the application for Miss Nepal in a magazine her father was reading, she felt that Miss Nepal was the right platform for her goals of doing something for the community. The climate activist and student applied, participated and even wore the crown of Miss Nepal.

“Miss Nepal World” is not an ordinary platform. Some have worked hard for years to no avail. She also understands this, which is why she finds it difficult to believe this achievement. When she sees herself in papers, TV and other online media; she questions if that is her or not.

She never thought she would achieve such a big title within two months of her dream, she said in a discussion with Ratopati.

“I had a hard time believing it at first. When I saw myself on TV, I thought it was someone else,” she said, “As the days went by, I felt a huge chip on my shoulders.” She claimed that she finally felt like she had won it after having to face various media.

The Grand Finale of Miss Nepal was held last Saturday. Whether it was when her name was announced as the winner of the finale, or when former Miss Nepal Priyanka Rani Joshi crowned her, she had a very emotional look.

When her name came up as the winner, she said she was very emotional and couldn’t believe it. She says, “The reason I participated in Miss Nepal is to spread my passion for climate and biodiversity to the world. I feel like it’s about to be accomplished.”

Hard work and dedication led to the title

Many competitions like Miss Nepal are being organized today. Apart from that, there are also other platforms like YouTube, TikTok, etc. for exposure.

No one thinks Miss Nepal is the only platform to move forward. But she believes that the charm of Miss Nepal is different from other platforms.

Pradhan, who considers Shrinkhala Khatiwada her idol, believed that Miss Nepal was a great platform from Khatiwada’s days. During that time, she had watched the video project “Beauty with Purpose”, which was made by Khatiwada for “Miss World”.

“I felt from that time. Miss Nepal is a good medium to reach out to the community. With this, we can make our country known to the whole world,” she exclaimed.
“Miss Nepal has been moving forward with a history of 29 years,” she explained her reasoning for choosing this competition, “The Hidden Treasure’s contestants are successful and capable.”

Shrichchha has just turned 23. She felt like a nobody even when she applied for Miss Nepal. She believes that everyone should be aware of the impact of the environment on the world and that its issues should be discussed by everyone. “I had to win ‘Miss Nepal World’ for this reason,” she said.

She didn’t expect to get selected as a contestant while participating. After being selected, the various trainings made her confident that she would get selected in the top 10. “Hard work and proper training by the organizers got me the title,” she shared the joy of winning, “I was nobody until yesterday but suddenly I’m in the center of the discussion.”

There are many allegations of money manipulation against Miss Nepal. The accusation seems to be justified as the title is always in the hands of a girl from a prosperous family.
Shrichchha however denies the allegations. There is no rich and poor in Miss Nepal, everyone gets the same treatment, the title is won by hard work and dedication, Shrichchha shares her experience.

“The most important thing in competition is talent,” Shrichchha shared her experience, “There was no ill will or resentment between us competitors.”

“I had heard that contestants don’t get along in beauty pageants. But this year, all the Miss Nepal contestants had a sisterly relationship. It was more like a celebration than a competition. It was fun.

Forestry, not Politics

Some people call beauty pageants a place to display women’s body parts, their body shape and size. Shrichchha considers it a confluence of knowledge, spirituality and compassion. “We only associate beauty pageants with divine beauty but this is a narrow view. Beauty pageants are doing good by connecting with the community,” she insists.
Along with the “Miss Nepal World” title, she has another huge responsibility on her shoulders, the “Miss World”. This is a platform of major importance. There, she should represent their country instead of herself. How to make her country known? This is the topic of her concern.

“I will present the biodiversity of the country. The world can learn a lot from our culture,” she says.

Apart from Miss World, the cheerful Shrichchha’s personal ambition is to open an organization on biodiversity and environmental change. “Who inspires children and women to be entrepreneurs,” she says, “I also want to do something with fashion and make-up.”

Other than enjoying hiking, biking and swimming in outdoor locations, she also has a hobby of singing and writing songs. In the talent round of Miss Nepal, she won over the judges by singing a song. So she has a plan to record and release a song next year.

She prefers forestry over politics. She plans to get into forestry if she gets the opportunity. With no plans other than the Miss World, she spoke on the topic of acting, “I took acting classes during college time. I was doing well. But I have no interest in acting now.”

(Translated by Samyam Basnet)