With a precise, relevant, and outstanding answer to the decisive question, “What does being an empowered woman mean to you?”, contestant Pralisha Shakya, representing Lalitpur Metropolitan City-16, successfully claimed the prestigious title of Nepal Telecom Miss Newa: 1145.
Along with the crown, Pralisha received a cash prize of NPR 100,000 and was also appointed as the Goodwill Ambassador for the Nepal Cancer Relief Society. She was crowned by Sakina Maharjan, the reigning Miss Newa: 1144.
This is not Pralisha’s first pageant victory—she had previously won the Miss Little Newa: 2013 title. Actively engaged in the media industry, she also secured the Best Nepal Bhasa Speaker award in addition to winning the main title.
A Celebration of Newar Culture
The Miss Newa pageant was initiated in 2005 as a cultural campaign to highlight the richness of Newar heritage and contribute to its preservation and promotion. The event, organized under the leadership of Hema Manandhar, was hosted by Nepalese Fashion Home (NFH Events) in association with Fight for Life Nepal. The grand finale took place at Pragya Bhawan, Kamaladi, with 20 Newar contestants competing for the crown.
Among them, Lunibha Manandhar from Chandragiri Municipality, Naikap, was crowned First Runner-up, while Lumina Maharjan from Chyamhasingh, Kathmandu, secured the Second Runner-up position. They were awarded cash prizes of NPR 25,000 and NPR 15,000, respectively.
Fashion, Beauty & Cultural Expression
The contestants were adorned in stunning outfits designed by 20th-batch students of Namuna College of Fashion Technology, bringing a unique blend of creativity and tradition. The makeup and styling were handled by Rose Beauty Academy and Stella Makeup Studio, enhancing the contestants’ elegance.
A special fashion evaluation segment was also conducted, recognizing outstanding designers. Asmita Shrestha won First Prize for her design, while Anita Kumari Bamjan and Pushpa Kandel secured Second Prize. The Third Prize was jointly awarded to Samridhi Maharjan, Purnima Sen, and Swastika Shrestha.
The event was presided over by Professor Dr. Bimala Shakya, with senior politician Pashupati Shamsher Jabara as the chief guest. The competition was hosted and choreographed by fashion choreographer and media personality Rojin Shakya, while Raju Napit conducted Nepal Bhasa and script training. The organizing team included Krisha Maharjan (Miss Newa: 1141 Winner) as the Chief Coordinator, alongside Sakina Maharjan (Miss Newa: 1143 Winner) and Timila Maharjan (Social Welfare Ambassador Chief: 1142) as Coordinators.
Several special awards were also presented to deserving contestants. Miss Talent was won by Shraddha Maharjan, with Anushree Shakya and Shreeya Manandhar as the First and Second Runner-ups, respectively. Ronisha Maharjan was named Social Welfare Ambassador Chief, while Dibina Dangol was the First Runner-up in the same category.
Other notable winners included Prasiddhi Shakya (Discipline Award), Alpa Maharjan (Public Choice Award), Prashna Shrestha (Best Dress), Ritisha Bajracharya (Cultural Ambassador), Sanskriti Shrestha (Most Confident), Subheksha Shrestha (Best Personality), Rimsha Shrestha (Best Hair), Ramuna Bajracharya (Best Skin), Kunta Shrestha (Most Photogenic), Anusha Bajracharya (Best Smile), Subhasna Shrestha (Most Charming), and Ruji Shakya (Friendship Award).
The competition was judged by an esteemed panel of experts, including Divya Laxmi Bajracharya (Former Principal, Saraswati Multiple Campus), Laxman Maharjan (Lawyer & Chairperson, Maa Banglamukhi Consumer Cooperative), Manishree Ratna Bajracharya (Former District Governor, Lions International Club 325L), Jeebeswor Lal Shrestha (Vice Principal, Namuna College of Fashion Technology & Chairperson, Fashion Technology Subject Committee, Purbanchal University), Ajar Man Joshi (Former President, LCCI), Anil Sthapit (Chairperson, Nepal Lipi Guthi), Dr. Shikshita Shrestha (Chairperson, SO Nepal), and Alisha Bajracharya (Miss Newa: 1134 Winner & Air Hostess, Nepal Airlines Corporation). The event was graced by special guests Sovit Upreti (Chairperson, Upreti Social Service Committee) and veteran actor Madan Das Shrestha.
