By Tenzin Pema
Some years back, there was a family in Norbulingka who had seven family members: parents with their five children. All of them were well-cultured people who were regarded as epitome of well-manner. Father Tashi and mother Dolma had worked very hard to give good education and nutritious food to their children. All of the children were very healthy, good looking and well-mannered. They never used to do anything without asking permission from their parents.
They were very humble and respectful. They not only respect all the elders but also used to give ample of love, care and respect to juniors too. That family in Norbulingka was very popular in the locality for their praise-worthy nature. Their fourth child was Chemi who had completed her B.A. from Delhi University. She always aspired to work and help her parents in their family’s livelihood. Fortunately, she saw one advertisement from the office of Tibetan Beauty Pageant Committee and there was one lakh reward to the winner. Therefore, she was so much impressed with that advertisement and soon got permission from her parents to take part in the contest. She prepared well for the Beauty Pageant Contest and the final day came. The contest was to be held at Mcleodganj and she was coming from Norbulingka towards the decided venue of the contest. People in Mcleodganj were busy going here and there and the market was filled with tourists, vehicles, local people, etc. In that hassle bustle area, one old lady was lying down, wounded, bleeding and asking people for help, but none came forward to help that wounded old granny. Among the people, there were three participants of the Beauty Pageant Contest, but they were extremely busy walking towards the venue in their chosen fine attire. They apologized the old granny for not able to help her. So the old lady was left unattended on the street for long hours. She was so disheartened with the attitude of people of that area and was completely discouraged to ask for help. She was very tired and suffering great pain so she was waiting for someone to help her voluntarily. She bowed her face down and lying silently. After sometime, she heard a soft voice and gentle touch on shoulder. When she lifted her face up, she saw a beautiful girl in a very beautiful dress, saying something to her and that girl was none other than Chemi, who reached Mcleodganj for the great evening contest of Miss Tibet. The old granny didn’t hope that the beautiful girl would help her, but to her surprise, without asking for aid, the girl impressed the old lady in this way. Chemi said, “Oh grandma! What happened? How did you fell down? How you are left all alone here? Oh you are bleeding also! Let me take you to the hospital. Come on! Stand up! Taxi: Come here!” The old grandma said, “How nice of you! You are given good lesson at home. You are very beautiful and also very kind-hearted. Tell me, where were you going?” The girl replied, “Actually I am supposed to go to TIPA to participate in one contest.” “Oh! You may get late to reach there then. What contest is going to hold there? If you are getting late then you better go there. If you ask the taxi driver to help me to reach hospital then from there, I’ll manage by myself.” Said grandma. The girl immediately responded, “Oh that is just a beauty pageant contest and that is not more important than your life. Let me help you to hospital. You just don’t worry about me, ok.” Then the two hired a taxi and went to Delek hospital where the doctor and nurses generously attended the wounded old lady. They treated her with great respect and special attention which confused Chemi. After granny was well attended by doctor and nurses, Chemi asked granny permission to leave. The granny wished her good luck and she thanked accordingly. She went back to Mcleodganj and she was already late for the contest. But she was curious to see the contest and the winners, so she just went there as a spectator. But she was surprised to see the contest was not yet started. She was very much willing to go to participate, but her dress was all messed up with soil and blood. Therefore, she didn’t dare to go on the stage so she remained silently in the audience. After an hour, the much awaited event was started with loud noise of clapping and whistling and convener came out on the stage with the mike in his hand. He welcomed everybody and apologized for the delay to the contest. He said that the chief judge was unable to reach the venue due to a small accident. The judges took their respective seats and Chemi was surprised to see the wounded old granny among the panel of judges. Simultaneously, the other three participants of the contest were also shocked and got scared that they didn’t help the old lady when she was in trouble. Anyway, the contest was about to start, but the chief judge stood up and spoke in mike, “Good evening everybody. As we are gathered here to see who is the most beautiful girl among them, right? But I don’t see anyone here beautiful, so I can’t give any marks to them. As I am given the power to judge and decide the most beautiful girl, so I’ve already chosen the most beautiful girl some hours back and she is there in the public.” Everyone was surprised to hear that. They were equally eager to know and see the lucky girl. Soon the chief judge pointed towards the girl and called her on the stage. The girl was quite nervous and shy, but she slowly came up on the stage in her soiled dress. And the girl was none other than Chemi. The chief judge explained in this way, “The real beauty lies within the heart. In order to win the respectable crown of Miss Tibet, along with the beautiful face and body, there must be a beautiful heart and fortunately, I came across the girl who is composed of all these qualities, and here is the most beautiful girl: Chemi. Do you agree with my decision?” “Yes! Absolutely! Your choice is our choice.” Replied public in loud voice. Actually, the judgment of that year’s Beauty Pageant Contest was strange and unusual, but it was the best choice ever.