Ending the wait of 21 long years, The new Miss Universe is from India. Punjab-based Punjab-based Harnaaz Sandhu represented India at the 70th Miss Universe 2021, held in Eilat, Israel on Monday. The 21-year old brought the crown home, 20 years after Lara Dutta bagged the title in 2000.
She was in the top 3 round with Paraguay’s Nadia Ferr
eira and South Africa’s Lalela Mswane where the contestants during which contestants were asked a poignant question.
When asked about what she can say to young women, facing the challenges..
When asked about what she can say to young women facing the challenges of today, Harnaaz Sandhu of India encouraged them to be brave and stand up for themselves.
For unversed, Harnaaz is born and raised in Punjab. She is currently pursuing her Master’s in Public Administration. She draws inspiration from her mother, who “broke generations of patriarchy to become a successful gynaecologist and led her family”.
Harnaaz had previously won ‘Miss Diva Universe 2021’ title that paved her way to the Miss Universe 2021 pageant. She started modelling at a young age and gradually made her way to beauty pageants and won her first pageant — Miss Chandigarh 2017.
In 2019, she also won the title of Femina Miss India Punjab 2019 after which she competed in Femina Miss India. She was in the top 12 in Femina Miss India.
Former Miss Universe India, Lara Dutta congratulated Harnaaz in a heartfelt tweet.
Priyanka Chopra, who won Miss World in 2000, also congratulated Harnaaz on Instagram. Sharing a video of the moment when the host announced Harnaaz’s name as Miss Universe 2021, Priyanka penned a note for her. She wrote, “And the new Miss Universe is.. Miss India.” She added, “Congratulations @harnaazsandhu_03 (for) bringing the crown home after 21 years.”
