It is a moment of pride for India as in the 70th Miss Universe this year organized in Eilat of Israel, 21 years old Harnaaz Kaur Sandhu from Punjab, brought home the prestigious pageant of Miss Universe 2021.
This success of India came after 21 years of Lara Dutta's win as Miss Universe 2000. Sandhu became the third woman from India to win the title of Miss Universe. The title was won for the first time by Indian Actress Susmita Sen in the year 1994.
In her competition to win the pageant, Harnaaz Sandhu defeated the contestants Lalela Mswane from South Africa and Nadia Ferreira from Paraguay. Paraguay succeeded in becoming the first runners up and South Africa wins the title of second runners-up in Miss Universe 2021.
Former Miss Universe 2020, Andrea Meza from Chihuahua City, Mexico bestowed the eminent crown of Miss Universe 2021 to Harnaaz Sandhu at the grand annual event that was streamed live across the world.
Sandhu is a model and an actress from Punjab who won Miss Universe India in the month of October this year. He began her journey of beauty pageant in the year 2017 with Times Fresh Face Back and then the diva won many beauty awards including the Femina Miss India Punjab in 2019.
At present Sandhu is pursuing her degree is Masters in the field of Public Administration. She had also made her appearance in various Punjabi movies.
One of the questions asked by judges in the top 3 rounds of the pageant of Miss Universe 2021 was about what advice they can give to young women watching on how to deal with pressures they face. Sandhu replied with a very inspiring and bold answer to this question which inspired the judges and the audience watching.
She answered "The biggest pressure the youth of today is facing, is to believe in themselves. To know that you are unique makes you beautiful. Stop comparing yourselves with others and let's talk about more important things that are happening worldwide. Come out, speak for yourself, because you are the leader of your life. You are the voice of your own. I believed in myself and that is why I am standing here today."
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