How has your life changed since being crowned Miss Nepal?
Nothing, as of yet, has changed. But this morning on my way to The Hidden Treasure office, as I was waiting for my aunt to take her car out of the driveway, this lady, who I think was dropping off her kid to school, approached me with a smile and addressed me as Miss Nepal. That was a moment of quite an epiphany.
Ishaani is calm and takes time before answering any question but not long enough to bore you. Her gestures affirm what she says, gets nervous trying to frame her answers but never fidgety.
“I have a page on Facebook and the likes grew to 55,000 overnight. The page is now flooded with comments, and each one of them boosts my confidence,” she adds.
What were you like as a child? Where did you study?
I went to Triyog Higher Secondary School in Dhapasi and completed my high school from Colorado, USA. I’m currently in my second year of Dentistry at People’s Dental College. I grew up with my sister who is just a few years younger. I was a tomboy and was really protective of her. I had short hair, wore oversized t-shirts and shorts and played basketball. I was a happy child, energetic and I can’t recall ever being passive.
Her interests have always been painting and dancing. She likes sketching and drawing live objects and says she’s comfortable with drawing Lord Ganesh; she had drawn Ganesh in five minutes for Miss Nepal’s talent round.
How did the transition occur?
I really don’t know. It must’ve been during my high school years when I started leaning towards glamour, getting interested in makeup and hairstyles. But Miss Nepal had always been a dream, I remember watching the finale live from 1994 and practicing how to walk like those contestants did.
How confident were you about coming in the first place?
I believed in myself, everything I did was focused on and around the crown. I wouldn’t say I was absolutely sure that I would win but I kept telling myself that I just might. Even if I hadn’t, I didn’t have a day to regret. I’ve learnt so much during the grooming sessions and now, with the preparation for Miss World starting next week, I’m excited to learn some more.
What was the reaction like from your family?
My parents are open-minded and have always been supportive of whatever I want to pursue, as long as it’s not something decadent. My parents were crying and my father said he was proud to have me as his daughter.
What was going on in your mind prior to being announced Miss Nepal?
I was so nervous; I was holding Sumi’s and Sipora’s hands tight. I even started crying out of nervousness and remembered what Rachana Ma’am had told us throughout the training – to smile no matter what happens. I smiled, nevertheless.
As Shristi Shrestha’s successor, are you nervous about living up to the expectations?
She has certainly set the bar high. My jaws dropped when she first started speaking to us during the grooming sessions, I had sweaty palms and I remember telling myself, “I have to be there where she’s now, talking to the next batch of Miss Nepal participants.” I shall try my best not to disappoint myself and my people.
Runner-ups share
Rojisha Shahi (Thakuri)
Miss Nepal Earth 2013
Miss Nepal Earth 2013 Rojisha Shahi (Thakuri), 19,
says she used to be a normal college going student and hadn’t even expected to be on the top 5. “I can be really irritating, I am that girl in class who is always asking questions,” she shared.Born to a musician father, Rojisha says she doesn’t have a good voice but likes to sing anyway. She went to the same school as Miss Nepal 2005 Sugarika KC did - Bal Deeksha Sadan in Gwarko.
“I used to look up to her photo in school and tell myself that someday I will have my photo up like that. The school asked for my photo today, I am super excited,” she said.
Right when she was announced Miss Nepal Earth 2013 the night before, Rojisha saw two people jump up from their seats in the audience. Her parents were nearly as excited as she was.
Shritima Shah
Miss Nepal International 2013
Miss Nepal International 2013 Shritima Shah
studied in St Mary’s High School and went off to Dehradun for her higher education, where, she says, she grew out of the cocoon of shyness. She participated in various beauty pageants in Dehradun, representing her college.
Some friends suggested that she participate in Miss India, “But I’m a Nepali and I decided to participate in Miss Nepal instead,” she said.
Shritima says her mother is her closest friend and she takes her mother everywhere she goes because she is comfortable with and around her.
Her memory of the night before is that of Suvekshya Khadka, who handed over her crown to Shritima, saying “Babe, I knew you’d win.”
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