After 21 years India crowned with “Miss Universe” crown as the nation’s Harnaaz Sandhu seleced aa the new Miss Universe at the 70th Miss Universe 2021, held in Eilat, Israel. Lara Dutta was the first Indian crowned with the title in 2000.

The 21-year-old from Punjab claimed the crown edging out Paraguay’s Nadia Ferreira and South Africa’s Lalela Mswane.

Harnaaz was presented the crown by Andrea Meza, former Miss Universe 2020 from Mexico.

To a question what advice she would give to young women on how to deal with the pressures they face, Harnaaz said, “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.”

This is what you need to understand. Come out, speak for yourselves because you are the leader of your life, you are the voice of your own. I believed in myself and that’s why I am standing here today,” Harnaaz said with aplomb.

Harnaaz who started her journey in pageantry at the age of 17, has previously been crowned Miss Diva 2021, Femina Miss India Punjab 2019 and was even placed in the Top 12 at Femina Miss India 2019.
She has also worked in Punjabi films like “Yaara Diyan Poo Baran” and “Bai Ji Kuttange”.