As the countdown begins for the finale of Hidden Treasure Fanta Miss Nepal 2016, the most prestigious beauty pageant in the country, the Post gives you a glimpse of the 19 contestants who are ready to set the stage on fire and compete for the most coveted beauty title of the year. Excerpts:

1. Ashma KC, Kritipur

Age: 21

KC aspires to be someone who will bring pride to the country. An avid dancer, she also loves listening to music and is learning to play the guitar/drum. Besides that, she loves cooking, loves adventure and plays basketball and badminton. Her ambition is also to be a successful hotelier.

2. Kritima Rimal, Kathmandu

Age: 23

A fun loving person, as she calls herself, Rimal believes the meaning of life is to make people happy, even if it is by just greeting everyone you meet kindly. She plays football, cricket, and karate. Her hobbies include cooking and reading novels.

She wants to be a lawyer someday.

3. Sajum Katuwal, Kritipur

Age: 20

Her positive attitude in life, she believes, is her greatest strength. An extrovert, Katuwal, is the winner of Miss College Diva 2015. She likes to travel and plays football and cricket. Katuwal’s ambition in life is to be a successful entrepreneur and an independent woman.

4. Sachina Shrestha, Janakpur

Age: 21

A dog lover, Shrestha likes to play and take care of street dogs and hopes to be a part of a dog care centre or open one herself soon. She loves watching animated movies, playing badminton and basketball. She also plays the violin.

5. Jubi Joshi, kathmandu

Age: 21

Joshi actively participates in community development through her participation and voluntary works in Rotaract and Volunteer for Change (VTC). She sees every day as a learning opportunity and hopes to become a better person and an inspiration to people to follow their dreams. She likes dancing and watching cricket.