𝐓𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧 𝐖𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐦𝐨 𝐢𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝟏𝐬𝐭 𝐑𝐮𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐮𝐩 𝐚𝐭 𝐌𝐢𝐬𝐬 𝐇𝐢𝐦𝐚𝐥𝐚𝐲𝐚 𝐛𝐞𝐚𝐮𝐭𝐲 𝐩𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓

TIL BDR GHALLEY
Thimphu

Tandin Wangmo, a 23-year from Lobesa village in Barp Gewog, Punakha, was crowned 1st Runners-Up at the Miss Himalaya Pageant 2025, held in Siliguri on July 27.

Her journey to the crown is a compelling story marked not by privilege or ease, but by personal struggle, inner strength, and a proud representation of Bhutanese identity on an international stage.

“This wasn’t just about winning,” Tandin said. “It was about showing every Bhutanese girl that she matters that she can stand tall no matter where she comes from.”

The Miss Himalaya Pageant is a prestigious event that brings together women from across the Himalayan belt including India, Nepal, Tibet, Bhutan, and beyond to celebrate diversity, culture, and empowerment.

This year’s edition, hosted in Siliguri, saw participants from various walks of life, each carrying stories that transcended borders. Yet, few stories resonated as deeply as Tandin’s.

Tandin’s path to the spotlight was not one of instant recognition or polished beginnings. After completing Class 12, she was met with a painful disappointment she did not qualify for any of the colleges under the Royal University of Bhutan (RUB).

“It felt like the door to my future had shut,” she recalled. “At the same time, I was dealing with health issues that made repeating Class 12 impossible. I felt like I had failed at life.”

That period brought on a wave of deep insecurities. Tandin described it as a time when self-doubt followed her constantly, like a shadow. But she refused to be defeated. Rather than succumbing to despair, she chose a different path one rooted in humility, responsibility, and growth.

“I started working with my family’s business,” she said. “It wasn’t my dream, but it taught me something invaluable how to stay disciplined, how to work hard, and how to move forward even when life doesn’t go as planned.”

The dream of walking on an international stage had been quietly burning in her heart for years. So, when she decided to enter the Miss Himalaya Pageant, it wasn’t a spontaneous act it was a long-awaited leap of faith.

“Taking part in Miss Himalaya felt like touching a star I had been chasing since I was a little girl,” said Tandin. “And when I was announced 1st Runners-Up, it wasn’t just a moment of personal triumph. It was proof that no matter your background, you can rise.”

Her preparation for the pageant was intense and unconventional. During the day, she supported her family business. At night, she immersed herself in rehearsals refining her catwalk, practicing public speaking, and building the mental resilience required to stand confidently before a panel of judges and hundreds of spectators.

“It wasn’t easy,” she admitted. “There were last-minute changes, time pressure, and moments when I doubted myself. But I kept reminding myself why I was there not just for the crown, but to represent Bhutan with honor.”

One of the most powerful moments for Tandin came not during the Q&A or the talent round, but when she stepped onto the stage wearing her traditional Bhutanese kira.

“I didn’t just feel beautiful, I felt proud,” she said. “It was like my roots were walking beside me. That moment made me realize the depth of our identity.”

Throughout the competition, Tandin remained grounded in the values that shaped her upbringing. She spoke about Bhutan not only with pride but with purpose, introducing her country to fellow contestants and judges who were curious and deeply respectful.

“People were genuinely curious about Bhutan,” she said. “Their respect made me even more grateful for our heritage. Speaking about Bhutan felt like bringing my country with me wherever I went.”

She emphasized that young Bhutanese do not have to choose between tradition and change. “We can carry both with pride,” she said. “We can wear our national dress and still dream of global stages. We can honor our roots while daring to aim higher.”

More than the title or the recognition, Tandin sees her experience as a message for others especially those who feel overlooked or left behind. Her story, she says, is proof that setbacks do not define a person.

“I want young people, especially girls, to know that it’s okay if life doesn’t go according to plan,” she said. “You are not defined by your failures. You are defined by how you rise from them.”

“You don’t need a perfect background or a straight path to success. What you need is belief, resilience, and the bravery to start.”

Though she stood on the stage as the 1st Runners-Up, Tandin believes her true victory was internal. “The crown is lovely,” she said. “But the real reward was discovering the strength I didn’t know I had.”

And if her journey inspires even one girl to believe in herself, she says it was all worth it. “Even in the darkest moments, there’s light waiting to be found. You just have to keep walking toward it.” she concluded.