Kiran, Thank you again for showing some kiran (aka light) to those of us who wallow in our "hypocrisy" and what not. That said, I do not expect any wah wah for this (I get enough of that at work, seriously!), but the following pretty much sums up my views about beauty contests. - http://www.nepalitimes.com/issue/209/StrictlyBusiness/1684 Other than that, my sense is that many young women who show up as contestants are pretty smart, career-savvy and driven to be a success in their chosen fields: the sort of women Nepal can never have enough of. oohi ashu