Well-known 'progressive' Nepali writer Khagendra Sangraula has formed a committee in Katmandu to protest against the Dabur Vatika Miss Nepal Contest 2004, which is going to be held this coming Saturday. The Sangraula Committee's reasons are: That such beauty contests demean Nepali women, turn them into advertising tools of multinational (capitalistic) companies, and degrade the values of Nepali society. Does the Sangraula Committee have valid points or is it just being a spoilsport? *********** I think the Sangraula Committee has every right -- without resorting to violence -- to protest against beauty contests AS MUCH AS all the over-the-age-of-18 women participants have the right to participate in such contests. I also do not believe that any variation of "Nepali society" is so weak that beauty contests have the power to change it beyond recognition. But what do others think? oohi ashu