Family Planning Association, an NGO, organised the "Mrs Stigma Free 2005" contest Sunday in southern Chitawan district near the Indian border, getting a surprising response with eight women deciding to brave the public eye and take part.

The tall, willowy 23-year-old Dikhshya Rimal, bagged the crown after she told the judges panel that being HIV positive did not mean the end of life. "It is the beginning of a new challenge," she said, sweeping the title with her answer.

She also cautioned the spectators not to form a relationship on the basis of educational qualifications or wealth alone. "You should have a blood test done before marriage. It is wiser."

The runner-up was 23-year-old Nirmala Poudel while the second runner-up was 24-year-old Mala Tamang.

All the eight women got the HIV virus from their husbands. Three of them are widows while three still live with their husbands. Two of them are currently staying with their parents.

All eight belong to the Chitwan Active Group, an association of HIV positive people.

The association, formed to help the women lead a life of dignity without social ostracisation, hopes the pageant would bring a change in people's attitude towards AIDS and those infected with the virus.

Nepal has a long tradition of young men going to India across the southern border in search of livelihood.

The nine-year-old Maoist insurgency that has killed over 12,000 people directly, has also caused mass migration to India and elsewhere, making it impossible for the government to keep records about the number of migrants and their health status.

The men become infected with sexually transmitted diseases or HIV after visiting the red-light areas in India and spread the infection among their families when they return home.

Earlier, the kingdom has hosted the Miss Teen Sherpa contest to choose the fairest one among the community, better known for their prowess as high-altitude porters and guides. A Mister Jail contest was also held in an attempt to improve the morale of prisoners.