EILAT: The 21-year-old Harnaaz Sandhu, representing India at the 70th Miss Universe 2021, has been crowned Miss Universe 2021 in Eilat, Israel, on Sunday after beating out the runner-ups, Miss Paraguay and Miss South Africa, two decades after Lara Dutta won the title in 2000.

The 21-year-old from Chandigarh won the international beauty pageant held in Eilat, Israel, by edging out Paraguay’s Nadia Ferreira and South Africa’s Lalela Mswane.

As part of the final question round, the top three contestants were asked, “What advice would you give to young women watching on how to deal with the pressures they face today?” To this, Harnaaz, delivering her final statement, said, “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 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. Thank you.”

Harnaaz has received her education from Chandigarh. She attended Shivalik Public School and the Post Graduate Government College for Girls, both in Chandigarh.

Harnaaz stepped into the glamourous industry at a young age and bagged numerous pageant titles including Times Fresh Face Miss Chandigarh 2017, Miss Max Emerging Star India 2018, Femina Miss India Punjab 2019 and LIVA Miss Diva Universe 2021. She will also star in upcoming Punjabi films ‘Yaara Diyan Poo Baran’ and ‘Bai Ji Kuttange’, which are slated to release in 2022.

The newly crowned Miss Universe is very close to her family. As per her Miss Universe delegate profile, Harnaaz draws her inspiration from her mother Ruby Sandhu, who is a gynaecologist by profession.

Before the finale, Harnaaz took to her Instagram Story and posted a screenshot of a video call with members of her family. She wrote, “My strength, my lifelines,” along with tagging “maa” Ruby Sandhu, “bhai” Harnoor Sandhu and “masi” Preet Boparai.

Her Miss Universe delegate profile also stated that her favourite actor is Priyanka Chopra. Further, her past time interests include “enjoying the company of friends, loves yoga, dancing, cooking, horse riding, and playing chess”.

India had earlier won the coveted crown twice with Sushmita Sen bagging the title in 1994 and Lara Dutta in 2000. Harnaaz has now joined the league of these incredible women. (ANI)