It is a big day for India as Harnaaz Sandhu of Punjab, who represented the country at the 70th Miss Universe 2021, has won the title. Harnaaz, 21, won the Miss Universe crown in 2000, 21 years after Lara Dutta won the title.
In the competition held in Eilat, Israel, Harnaz Sandhu defeated competitors Paraguay and South Africa. Former Miss Universe 2020 Andrea Meza of Mexico crowned Hernaz at the event. The Miss Universe event was broadcast live globally.
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New Miss Universe is…India!!!! #Miss Universe pic.twitter.com/DTiOKzTHl4
— Miss Universe (@MissUniverse) December 13, 2021
The first and second runners-up were Paraguay and South Africa, respectively.
As a part of the top 3 round, all the contestants had to answer a single question. She was asked, “What advice would you give to young women dealing with today’s pressures?”
Harnaaz said, “Well, I think the biggest pressure the youth of today is facing is to believe in yourself. To know that you are unique and that is what makes you beautiful, compare yourself to others. Stop doing se, and let’s talk about more important things. Happening all over the world. I think that’s what you need to understand. Come out, speak for yourself, because you are the leader of your life. You have your own voice [life], I believe in myself and that’s why I stand here today. Thank You.”
Before Harnaaz, only two Indians have won the Miss Universe crown – actor Sushmita Sen in 1994 and Lara Dutta in 2000.
Harnaaz was crowned Miss Universe India 2021 in October. The 21-year-old beauty queen is currently pursuing her Masters in Public Administration.
Harnaaz Sandhu started her beauty pageant journey only at the age of 17. She was previously crowned Miss Diva 2021, Femina Miss India Punjab 2019 and also made the top 12 in Femina Miss India 2019.
The 21-year-old model from Chandigarh has also acted in Punjabi films like Yaara Diya Poo Baran and Bai Ji Kuttange.
See also| Miss Universe 2021: Meet Harnaaz Sandhu, who will represent India in Israel