Anushka Shrestha was crowned Miss Nepal World 2019 at the 24th iteration of the Miss Nepal pageant, organised by The Hidden Treasure on Thursday evening.

Shrestha beat 24 participants—all clad in designs by ace designer Manish Rai—from all over Nepal to win the coveted title, and will represent Nepal at the Miss World pageant in Thailand later this year.

Miss Nepal World 2018 Shrinkhala Khatiwada crowned her successor amid a glamorous event held on the premises of Laboratory Higher Secondary School in Kirtipur.

Pradeepta Adhikari, Riya Basnet and Meera Kakshapati were crowned Miss Nepal Universe, Miss Nepal Earth and Miss Nepal International respectively.

Following Miss Nepal’s affiliation with Miss Supranational since last year, Rose Lama was crowned Miss Supranational Nepal.

The seven finalists were asked the same question: If we focus more on our duties and responsibilities rather than focusing just on our rights and freedom, can we make this world a better place?

To which Shrestha’s winning answer was: “Focusing on our responsibilities more than our rights will certainly change things for the better. Rights and responsibilities are two parts of a coin… but it is high time we asked ourselves: what am I doing to be able to look ourselves in the mirror and say that I have fulfilled all my responsibilities... To be able to that, one surely needs to fulfil responsibilities as a citizen, as a person, as a friend, as a partner. Only when we fulfil all our responsibilities can we ask for our rights.”

Along with the main title, Miss Nepal World Shrestha was also named The Kathmandu Post Miss Intellectual and Yamaha Miss Fascino.

Miss Nepal Universe Pradeepta Adhikari also took home three titles as she was named the Gold Star Best Athlete and N-mag Miss Talent.

Similarly, Miss Supranational Nepal Rose Lama bagged two other titles: Berger Miss Glamour as well as Creative D Studio Miss Photogenic. Miss Nepal Earth Riya Basnet also won Miss Popular Choice Award.

The other title winners were Nancy Bogati (Hyundai Miss Friendship), Meera Kakshapati (Livon Beautiful Hair), Jenny Maharjan (Godrej No. 1 Miss Natura), Nisha Pathak (Brij Cement Miss Confident), and Nitika Karmacharya (Beauty with a Purpose).

The 11-member jury of the pageant included former Miss Nepal World Asmi Shrestha, former actor Sunny Rauniyar Pradhan, former election commissioner Ela Sharma, business woman Vidushi Rana, actor Anoop Bikram Shahi.

This year’s pageant also marked the 25th anniversary of The Hidden Treasure. On the occasion, Gopal Sundar Lal Kakshapati, chairman of the institution, reminisced the journey so far and thanked The Hidden Treasure family and its supporters.