Miss Universe 2021 Harnaaz Kaur Sandhu’s homecoming!
A moment of immense pride for our country with the recent win of #HarnaazKaurSandhu who represented India at the 70th edition of #MissUniverse held in Eilat, Israel and brought home the Miss Universe crown after 21 years whilst competing against a total of 81 delegates from across the globe that participated in the prestigious international pageant.
The vivacious girl from the beautiful city of Chandigarh managed to win the hearts and impress the panel at the International pageant and is looking forward to leaving behind a remarkable legacy that would inspire thousands of individuals.
Before, the Chandigarh-based model, only two Indians have won the title of Miss Universe – actress Sushmita Sen in 1994 and Lara Dutta in 2000. The 21-year-old Harnaaz draws her inspiration from her mother, who broke generations of patriarchy to become a successful gynaecologist and lead her family. Driven to support other women in the same way, Harnaaz grew up working with her mother at health camps addressing women’s health and hygiene. Deeply conscious of the privilege her mother’s struggles has gifted her, Harnaaz today is a strong advocate for women empowerment, particularly their constitutional rights to education, careers, and their freedom of choice. Harnaaz’s journey in pageants started when she was 17 years old. She was the Times Fresh Face 2017 – Chandigarh winner, which was the turning point of her life, post which she became a part of Femina Miss India in 2019 and was crowned Femina Miss India Punjab 2019. Later, the gorgeous Diva secured the national title of LIVA Miss Diva Universe 2021 and went on to represent billion dreams on the grand stage of Miss Universe 2021.
Harnaaz impressed all when she said, “The biggest pressure…today’s youth is facing is to believe in themselves…Stop comparing yourself with others…Speak for yourself…You’re the leader of your life…I believed in myself, that’s why I’m standing here today.” Expressing her feeling in the moment of glory after being announced the winner, she said, “Namaste, Universe! Thank you to each one of you for supporting me. Always believing in me and making me feel worth it. Now, this is the time to save the universe; let’s do this together.”
Harnaaz has been raising awareness on clefts in association with Smile Train India and inaugurated a Surgical and Diagnostic Facilities at Bhagwaan Mahaveer Jain Hospital, India’s first Cleft Leadership Centre (CLC), in Bangalore. Professionally, Harnaaz Kaur Sandhu has signed two Punjabi films set for release in 2022 and hopes to essay characters in films that break stereotypes that the world has of women. Miss India Organisation is excited to welcome her back to Mumbai followed by a press conference that was hosted in her honour at the Four Seasons Hotel Mumbai, who played a perfect host, after her 2-month stint in New York, at the Head office of Miss Universe Organisation.
As a part of her homecoming, the organization has planned multiple celebrations to honour her victory in Mumbai followed by Delhi and Chandigarh as well.