Standing on the edge of the Gosaikunda Lake, the behind-the-scene footage of introduction video for Miss Nepal World 2018 Shrinkhala Khatiwada captures the moment when she screams to the atmosphere, “I am going to be the Miss World 2018, do you hear me Gosaikunda?”

She did not win the title but she came as close as the top 12 finalists during the finale of the Miss World 2018 beauty pageant held on Saturday in Sanya, China. Khatiwada’s Miss World journey was thoroughly documented in her social media posts, where she had confirmed that she made it to the top 30 after winning the two most coveted awards, Multimedia award and Beauty with a Purpose award within the Miss World competition.

Earlier this month, her introduction video released through the Miss World official YouTube Channel had gone viral with over two million views. Her voice, enthusiasm and confidence presented through her video echoed throughout the hearts and minds of Nepalis around the world and many had hoped that Nepal will bring home the blue crown this year.

The 23-year old architect, originally from Hetauda, was joined by a 24-member team of family and friends including her parents Birodh Khatiwada and Munu Sigdel, both central committee leaders of the Communist Party of Nepal, in China for the finale.

Sharing the journey in her social media, Khatiwada had expressed her happiness after winning the Beauty with a Purpose award, mentioning that it was her sole inspiration to compete for the Miss World. Beauty with a Purpose programme is a registered charity and a non-profit organisation that raises money and participates in humanitarian projects across the world. Khatiwada had committed on building a health centre for Chepangs in her home district in her video.

Khatiwada is the second Miss Nepal to be on the list of top 12 finalists and who was awarded the Beauty with a Purpose title; Ishani Shrestha in 2013 had made it to the top 10 and bagged the award during her reigning year.

The 68th edition of the Miss World pageant witnessed 118 contestants from around the world who competed for the crown. Miss Mexico Vanessa Ponce de Leon was crowned as the Miss World 2018.