International Mr Singh 'beauty contest' for Sikh cultural ambassador

Finalists in the annual Mr Singh International Turban Pride competition show off their posing skills and impressive chests during the ‘physique round’ of the grand finale of the annual pageant. The competition to become this year’s Sikh cultural ambassador was fierce, with 26 finalists battling it out on stage in Amritsar, India.

The pageant was set up in 2005 to fight back against stereotypes and promote Sikh culture and traditions. This year saw young Sikhs from across the globe, including the UK, Canada, Mauritius and Australia, fly to India to audition for the pageant. The participants compete in four rounds; physique, traditional attire, royal attire and talent.

Mr Singh International Turban Pride is organised by two religious outfits, the Akaal Purkh Ki Fauj (APKF) and Chief Khalsa Diwan, to inspire young Sikhs all over the world to be proud of their heritage. The selected 26 have gone through rigorous training before the final, including lessons in Gatka - Sikh martial art - and they are all expected to learn to dance Bhangra.

APKF spokesperson Jaswinder Singh Jassi said that the participants should have knowledge about Sikhism and will also be judged on their basic etiquettes, including table manners. After a hard-fought race, Tejinder Singh was named the winner and happily posed on stage in traditional attire with with first runner-up Deepinder Singh and second runner-up Tarundeep Singh. Mr Singh Jassi said the competition has installed new pride in young Sikh men.

He said: 'When we initiated Mr Singh International in 2005, it was a challenge, as all movies showed Sikhs as comical characters. 'Young boys who wanted to be in media left their turbans to join the industry, ‘ Mr Singh Jassi told The Times of India. ‘It really hurt the community but nothing could be done. ‘The Mr Singh International pageant's success has energised our body and souls to take it forward. Now many youths long to be part of it.’