Crowning New Horizons

This year’s Miss Nepal titleholders aren’t just about beauty—they’re about making a difference. Ashma Kumari KC, Sumana KC, and Karuna Rawat have stepped onto the Miss Nepal stage with powerful missions: to inspire, empower, and lead change in Nepal. In t

Ashma Kumari KC, Sumana KC, and Karuna Rawat are not just titleholders; they are advocates and leaders in social work, healthcare, and mental health. Their stories are marked by resilience and an unwavering desire to create change. From empowering Nepali women with Project Shakti to expanding healthcare access through Su Swastha Bhawa and advocating for children’s mental health, these queens are paving the way for a new generation of empowered Nepali women. Let us hear their story from them.

Ashma Kumari KC – Miss Nepal 2024

From childhood dreams to empowering Nepali women, Ashma turned her passion into action with Project Shakti. At just 18, she launched a small business, now helping women gain financial independence and confidence. Her goal? To create job creators, not job seekers! Talk about girl power!

Your dreams of becoming Miss Nepal were born alongside your parents' support. How did their encouragement fuel your resilience, and what kept you going during the toughest moments?
I feel blessed to have incredibly supportive parents who have stood by me through every stage of my journey, from school competitions to my entrepreneurial pursuits and my Miss Nepal endeavor. Their encouragement has always given me strength, especially during tough times. Like everyone, I faced challenges and moments of self-doubt, but I learned the value of resilience and persistence. I realized that not giving up is key, and having a purpose is what keeps you going. This mindset has been essential to my growth and success.

Launching a business at 18 while your peers focused on leaving Nepal is a bold move. What were the biggest challenges you faced as a young entrepreneur, and how did those experiences shape your vision for Project Shakti?
Project Shakti is very close to my heart. One of the biggest challenges I faced when I started my business at 18 was convincing my parents to believe in me. At such a young age, managing resources and building contacts was tough. Over time, my parents saw my passion and supported me as I grew the business. Another major challenge that many women entrepreneurs face in Nepal is access to credit. With only about 20% of property owned by women, securing loans becomes difficult because banks require collateral. I encountered these barriers early on. Additionally, being young and working in maledominated industries like import-export meant many people didn’t take me seriously. They viewed me as a naïve girl. It took resilience and perseverance to carve out my niche and prove myself. These experiences helped shape my vision for Project Shakti, where we focus on empowering women by providing them with entrepreneurship skills, access to microfinance, and mentorship.

Empowering women through Project Shakti is central to your mission. What specific skills do you believe are essential for Nepali women to gain financial independence, and how do you plan to scale this impact nationwide?
Financial independence is essential, and through Project Shakti, we focus on three key areas: entrepreneurship, skillbuilding, and microfinance. Many women have the desire to start businesses but lack the necessary skills and access to credit. With 52% of Nepal’s population being women but only 23% contributing to the economy, women’s economic participation is vital to our country’s growth. At Project Shakti, we’re training women from underprivileged backgrounds, teaching them employable skills and helping them gain access to credit. We don’t just want to create employees—we want to create employers. I aim to scale this initiative by expanding to other parts of Nepal, collaborating with organizations, and ensuring that these women, once trained, can create employment opportunities for others.

Balancing the demands of entrepreneurship with the responsibilities of being Miss Nepal is no easy task. What personal strategies do you rely on to stay focused and grounded amid your busy schedule?
It’s definitely challenging. One of the reasons I waited so long to participate in Miss Nepal was because my business required a lot of my time and attention. Over the years, I’ve built a great team that now helps manage different aspects of my business. This has allowed me to pursue other passions, like Miss Nepal, without neglecting my business. For any entrepreneur, building a trustworthy team is crucial. At the start, I had to wear many hats, but over time, I’ve realized the importance of delegation. Having the right team allows you to balance multiple responsibilities effectively.

Who is someone from your childhood who has played a pivotal role in shaping who you are today?
My parents have been the most influential figures in my life. From a young age, they taught me the value of service. My father, who is deeply involved in social work, has always been an inspiration, especially seeing how he would mobilize resources during natural disasters. My mother’s kindness and simplicity have also shape me. These values are what motivated me to pursue a degree in social work, and my experiences working in Nepal have helped me gain a deeper understanding of the challenges people face. Each of these experiences and relationships has molded me into who I am today.

Sumana KC – Miss Nepal Earth 2024

Sumana’s heart beats for healthcare! A dental surgeon and advocate for healthcare access, she juggled dentistry and Miss Nepal, proving that brains and beauty are the ultimate combo. Through her health camps and Suswastha Bhawa:, Sumana’s mission is to spread health awareness far and wide.

Balancing the demands of dentistry with your Miss Nepal aspirations required immense dedication. What strategies did you use to excel in both fields, and how did these experiences enhance your resilience?
Before joining the pageant, I worked as a dentist at People's Central Hospital for six to seven months. My journey in dentistry taught me the importance of hard work, perseverance, and dedication to my goals. I also learned to accept things as they come, which has been a significant lesson in my life. These skills that I developed as a dental student, I carried with me into the pageant world because both fields require immense dedication and a ‘never give up’ attitude. The resilience I built in dentistry definitely helped me navigate the challenges in Miss Nepal.

Your work with Suswastha Bhawa: in organizing health camps is inspiring. Can you share a moment from these camps that deeply impacted you and reinforced your commitment to healthcare?
Through Suswasthya Bhawa:, we organized dental health awareness and free treatment camps in various districts like Chitwan, Khokana, and Chovar. One moment that really impacted me was realizing the importance of adapting to each community's needs. Not everyone understands the same techniques or health information in the same way, so it became essential for me to approach them on their terms, respecting their traditions and knowledge. It taught me that effective healthcare is not just about giving information but ensuring that it's understood and accepted by the community.

Transitioning from dentistry to pageantry is quite a shift. What unexpected skills did you gain during this transition, and how have they enriched your ability to present yourself and connect with others?
Transitioning from being a healthcare professional to a beauty pageant contestant has taught me how crucial it is to present yourself according to the time, place, and occasion. In dentistry, the focus was more on my skills and knowledge rather than appearance, but in pageantry, I learned the importance of looking presentable and carrying myself with confidence. Understanding how to balance professionalism with self-presentation has helped me connect better with people and be more adaptable in any situation.

Managing multiple high-stakes responsibilities, like exams and pageant auditions, must have been stressful. How did you maintain your focus and composure during this intense period?
In March, I was preparing to represent Nepal at the Pre-World Health Assembly in Switzerland. At the same time, Miss Nepal's application call arrived. I had always envisioned myself participating in Miss Nepal 2024, so I faced a tough decision as the dates for both events clashed. Ultimately, I switched my participation in the Pre-World Health Assembly to online, allowing me to audition for Miss Nepal. It was a stressful period, but I stayed focused by trusting my instincts and remembering the long-term goals I had set for myself.

For young women aspiring to excel in both academics and pageantry, especially in demanding fields like medicine, what advice would you give to help them navigate these dual paths with confidence?
Balancing medicine and pageantry requires understanding the importance of each profession at the right time. Medicine demands your full dedication—academically and professionally so it’s essential to prioritize that. For me, becoming a dentist came first, and only after earning my degree and license did I consider pageantry. My advice to those aspiring to do both is to first focus on their academics and professional qualifications, as they offer lifelong value. Pageantry can be temporary, and while it offers amazing experiences, a stable career in healthcare will always give back. So, do your research, complete your studies, and then pursue your pageant dreams.

 

 

Karuna Rawat – Miss Nepal International 2024​

Leaving a successful nursing career in Sydney, Karuna followed her dream back to Nepal. Now, she’s dedicated to advocating for children’s mental health. Guided by her sister and fueled by family support, Karuna’s journey shows that true beauty lies in courage and compassion.

Choosing to leave a stable career in Sydney to pursue Miss Nepal was a brave decision. What was the defining moment that convinced you to take this leap, and how did you overcome the fear of the unknown?
I was working at a private hospital in Sydney, and I had a mentor who knew about my interest in becoming Miss Nepal. During one of our conversations, he told me that while many people can buy houses, travel, or have materialistic things, not everyone has what it takes to become Miss Nepal. He said, "Why don’t you give it a shot?" That conversation was my turning point. I realized it was my calling, and that's when I decided to come back to Nepal and embrace a new chapter. I always wanted to pursue pageantry—it was my childhood dream.

I moved to Australia when I was 17, did my nursing course, and worked there for three years. My life in Sydney was comfortable, but coming back to Kathmandu and starting over was a challenge. Even while I was in Australia, I always participated in events, either as a host or in pageants. But after talking to my mentor, I realized this was the time. The energy and drive wouldn’t always be there, so I decided to go for it. I always knew deep down I could be Miss Nepal. I had subconsciously prepared for it—never got tattoos because I wanted to meet all the criteria.

Your background in nursing and mental health is deeply meaningful. How do you plan to integrate your healthcare expertise into your role as Miss Nepal International, particularly in promoting children's and youth mental health?
I’ve already started working on this. I founded an organization called "Nurturing Minds" because I wanted to do more than just research—I wanted to take action. When I came back to Nepal for Miss Nepal, I focused on Nurturing Minds and chose a school in Budhanilkantha to start my project. I interacted with students, parents, and teachers to understand their mental health challenges and ran sessions with them. My focus is not just on the victims but also on the root cause. Teachers are often the first point of contact for children, so they need basic mental health awareness too. I ran a session for the teachers, and it was great. I also proposed the idea of having counselors in every school, so students can share their issues with confidentiality and feel comfortable.

I’m also passionate about reproductive health awareness. For Miss International, I want to focus on HPV vaccinations for women and teens, as well as screening and promoting reproductive health awareness in remote areas. I’m also thinking a lot about consent and privacy—whether it’s for vaccination campaigns or mental health counseling, people need to feel safe.

Based on your global experiences, what key changes do you believe are necessary to better prepare Nepali students for real-world challenges?

I think the first step is to reform the curriculum. A lot of what we learn isn’t relevant to real life. We need to focus more on social engagement and networking things like youth clubs or hubs where students can build connections and learn practical skills. Working while studying should also be encouraged because that’s where you really learn, by working with people who have more experience and knowledge. I highly recommend doing voluntary work or getting involved in clubs and activities. Of course, there’s a lot that needs to be done at the government level too, but this is where I think we can start.

What’s one thing you miss most about your life before becoming Miss Nepal?
I miss my privacy. Before, I was just a regular girl going to work, enjoying my coffee, and juggling my shifts at the hospital. Now, I’m someone people recognize, and that’s been an adjustment. I miss those quiet, simple moments.

What’s a personal mantra or belief that you turn to during difficult times?
I believe that life is a journey, not a destination. Growing up, I was always affected by other people’s opinions, and I had to put in a lot of work to overcome that. My dad once gave me an example that really stuck with me. He said, "When you’re flying on a plane, you don’t know who the other passengers are, but you still fly and reach your destination. You don’t stop flying just because there might be wrong people on the plane." That made me realize it’s important to focus on your own journey, embrace the ups and downs, and not get distracted by the noise around you. Balance is key.