India has seen the worst and the best of 2021, a most eventful year with its days numbered. Recently, two India-born leaders – Parag Agarwal and Kedar Deshpande – assumed the role of a CEO in America. The momentum of India being glorified abroad continues as the nation wore the crown of Miss Universe 2021 this morning after long 21 years. Harnaaz Kaur Sandhu, a 21-year-old actress-model from Punjab, won the Miss Universe 2021 title by beating contestants from 80 countries. Sushmita Sen and Lara Dutta were the first and the second Indian to have brought the most dazzling crown home in 1994 and 2000 respectively.
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“I think the biggest pressure the youth of today are 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 are 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. I believed in myself and that’s why I am standing here today,” Harnaaz Sandhu said when asked what she would tell young women grappling with various pressures in everyday life. Her reply earned an overwhelming applause in the final round.
Harnaaz Sandhu, the Miss Universe 2021, is a beauty with brains. She is a devoted yoga practitioner and is currently pursuing post-graduation in public administration. She dealt with body-shaming and bullying while growing up. Being an introvert, she was an easy target of bullies. She was body-shamed for her lean and thin figure in the growing years. She said, “I have overcome that by believing in my strength and individuality. It was all possible because of my mom’s support. My family plays a significant role in my worst stage. If I’m able to sit here and talk about myself with confidence, it’s all because of my family.”
In the costume round of the ‘Miss Universe 2021’ pageant, Harnaaz Sandhu chose to showcase the traditional opulence of India by wearing a richly embellished lehenga. Accompanied by her confidence and grace, her spectacular appearance stole the show with the judges.
In the Q&A round, the selection committee told her, “Many people think climate change is a hoax. What would you do to convince them otherwise?” Within the blink of an eye, she replied that less talk and more action would help – and this impressed everyone. She added, “My heart breaks to see how nature is going through a lot of problems, and it is all due to our irresponsible behavior. I totally feel that this is the time to take action and talk less. Prevent and protect is better than repent and repair.”
India was glorified in the Miss World America 2021 pageant too when Indian-origin Shree Saini from Seattle was crowned Miss World America in October this year. Shree Saini, an anti-bullying activist, was the Miss India Worldwide 2018 title winner prior to having won the Miss World America 2021.
Harnaaz Kaur Sandhu’s journey towards the Miss Universe 2021 began when she represented in the 2017 Times Fresh Face contest and won it. Following this steppingstone, she went on to win the LIVA Miss Diva Universe 2021. Notably, she is a popular face in Punjabi cinema.