Neelima Gurung was crowned Miss Nepal 1997 and was awarded Miss Personality award at the competition. Neelima, was the first participant from Pokhara to win the competition. At the time of crowning, Neelima was 19 years old. After about 12 years of winning the title, Neelima started a fitness centre in her hometown – Pokhara, wherein she teaches Zumba to interested girls.