On December 13, Chandigarh’s Harnaaz Sandhu was adjudged the Miss Universe 2021, bringing the title back to India after 21 years. Back in 2000, it was then model. Now actress Lara Dutta who went on to win the beauty pageant. Before Dutta, Sushmita Sen brought glory to the nation by being awarded the title of Miss Universe back in 1994.

Harnaaz was representing India at the recently concluded 70th iteration of Miss Universe 2021. The competition’s final was held at Eilat, Israel. Meanwhile, the first runner-up was Nadia Ferreira from Paraguay, and Lalela Mswane from South Africa.

 

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A Miss Diva 2019 and Miss Universe India 2021, Harnaaz broke into the modelling circuit when she was 17. She has also competed in the Femina Miss India 2019 and has acted in multiple Punjabi films.

Contents hide
1. Background
2. The Facts of the Matter
3. Harnaaz Answer to “What Advice Will You Give to Young Women?”
4. Everything We Know About Miss Universe 2021 Harnaaz Sandhu

Background

Over the course of the last 7 decades, Miss Universe has remained as one of the most sought-after titles for models, and the most viewed and anticipated beauty pageant across the world.

The competition attracts over 80 delegates from all over the world, with women from all walks of life competing against each other. As the competition nears its end, only 10 charming, visionary and gorgeous women remain. From them, 5 women make their way through the final. And this all leads to the Miss Universe crowning.

The competition began back in 1952 as a swimsuit beauty competition in California – and since grown to be a pageant attracting the beauties and the brains.

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The Facts of the Matter

“And the Miss Universe 2021 is – India’s Harnaaz Sandhu..”, and just like that an Indian woman brought the Miss Universe title back home after 20 long years.

A Chandigarh citizen, Harnaaz was crowned the Miss Universe 2021 at the competition’s final which was held in Israel, on 13 December. The first runner-up of the competition was Miss Paraguay Nadia Ferreira and Miss South Africa Lalela Mswane. Harnaaz was crowned the title by the former reigning Miss Universe, and Miss Mexico, Andrea Meza.

It was actress Lara Dutta who won the title back in 2000 last time, and Sushmita Sen who was crowned in 1994.

Harnaaz Answer to “What Advice Will You Give to Young Women?”

Anyone with vague idea into pageant competition would know that as a run-up to the crowning, a question-answer round takes place. This gives the competitors an opportunity to be vocal on the change they would like to bring in the world.

Harnaaz was asked, “What advice would you give to young women watching on how to deal with the pressures they face today?”

To this, Harnaaz gave an answer which reads, “Well, I think the biggest pressure the youth of today is facing is to believe in themselves. To know that you are unique and that’s what makes you beautiful, stop comparing yourselves with others, and let’s talk about more important things that’s happening worldwide. I think this is what you need to understand. Come out, speak for yourself, because you are the leader of your life. You are the voice of your own [life]. I believe in myself and that’s why I’m standing here today. Thank you.”

 

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Earlier, before being crowned, she had taken to Instagram to share a video of her visiting the Golden Temple in Amritsar. “I’m already a winner, I have you all”, read her caption.

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Everything We Know About Miss Universe 2021 Harnaaz Sandhu

Her bio on Miss Universe website states that she worked with her mother at health camps to raise awareness on women’s health and menstrual hygiene.

“Deeply conscious of the privilege her mother’s struggles have gifted her, Harnaaz today is a strong advocate for women’s empowerment, particularly their constitutional rights to education, careers, and their freedom of choice. Professionally, Harnaaz is an actor with two Punjabi LMS slated for release in 2022 and hopes to essay characters in LMS that break stereotypes that the world has of women,” it further read.