ByIANSlife

December 13, 2021 (IANSlife) After a wait of more than two decades, Chandigarh’s Harnaaz Sandhu finally brings home the Miss Universe crown. 

The 21-year- old won the title on December 12, 2021, at the pageant which was held at the Universe Dome in Eilat, Israel.

“I am immensely grateful to the Almighty, my parents, and the Miss India Organization for guiding and supporting me throughout. Loads of love to everyone who prayed and wished the crown for me. Bringing the glorious crown back after 21 years to India is a moment of great pride,” Harnaaz tells IANS.

Sandhu beat out 79 contestants to be crowned the 70th Miss Universe. Nadia Ferreira, Miss Paraguay was runner-up Miss Paraguay and the second runner-up is Miss South Africa Lalela Mswane. 

The Miss Universe Organisation posted the news on their official Instagram handle, with a clip showing last year’s winner, Andrea Meza of Mexico, crowning an overjoyed Harnaaz. The young model will bring home the crown after 21 years, she is preceded by Lara Dutta who was crowned in 2000.

Before setting out to Israel, Sandhu Told IANS in an interview that she was going to make sure that she is the best version of our country and that she would make India proud at Israel this year. She also stated that she was looking forward to strengthening relations between Israel and India and was super excited staying, “I have to bring back the crown home”

The Bollywood aspirant kept her word and did India proud. Sandhu said, “One must keep growing through life as we all learn something every day. To believe in yourself is the key to success. I represented myself as the best version of myself”.

Sandhu believes that Pageants are a platform where women come forward to celebrate sisterhood and womanhood and people across the world celebrate their beauty queens and their successes with great pride. “According to me, it's all about being true to the self and people around you will definitely look at that spark in you,” she stated.  

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