‘Miss Tamusyo 2026’ to promote and preserve Gurung identity & culture

GANGTOK,: With the aim of preserving and promoting the indigenous identity, language, literature, art, culture and traditions of the Gurung community, the first-ever ‘Miss Tamusyo 2026’ will be organised under the banner of ‘Hamro Maulikta, Hamro Pahichan’ initiative.

The event will be held at Ridge Park in Gangtok on November 22 and is being viewed as an important initiative to pass on the cultural identity of the Gurung community to the younger generation.

A meeting, recently held to accelerate preparations for the event, formed the organising committee and announced details regarding the competition format, prize money and other cultural activities. The meeting, chaired by State Bank of Sikkim (SBS) chairman D.B. Gurung, discussed plans and the future course of action to ensure the successful organisation of the programme.

Organisers said the event, being organised under the guidance of Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang-Golay, would place special emphasis on preserving and promoting the Gurung community’s indigenous language, literature, dance, art, traditional cuisine and way of life.

To make the competition more attractive, the organising committee has announced cash prizes for the winners and other outstanding contestants. According to the announced prize structure, the winner will receive Rs 5,01,051, the first runner-up Rs 3,01,051 and the second runner-up Rs 2,10,051. The other seven contestants who make it to the top 10 will also receive cash prizes and be felicitated.

The competition aims to provide participants with a platform to showcase their talents while raising public awareness about the cultural identity and traditions of the Gurung community. Another major attraction will be a 15-day workshop on Gurung language, literature, dance and traditional cultural practices, with maximum participation from Gurung youth being encouraged.

To ensure participation from talented young women across the State, audition rounds are planned in all six districts of Sikkim. Contestants selected through the district-level auditions will qualify for the main competition.

The organisers expect the event to promote not only beauty but also talent, cultural knowledge, indigenous identity and personality development.

Organising committee president Sarita Gurung said the programme was being organised under the guidance of Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang-Golay to preserve and develop the Gurung community’s language, culture, art, traditions and traditional cuisine.

She said representatives of various communities in Sikkim would be invited to the main event at Ridge Park. The organisers are also preparing to invite prominent members of the Gurung community residing in different parts of the world.

Gurung added that the event was intended to go beyond a beauty pageant and develop into a common platform to showcase the Gurung community’s indigenous identity, cultural heritage and social unity.