Miss India wins Miss Universe contest

MISS UNIVERSE

Harnaaz Sandhu, Miss India, won the Miss Universe contest.

A 21-year old model and actress from the Punjab region of India was crowned Miss Universe Sunday.

Harnaaz Sandhu, representing India at the 70th Miss Universe 2021, won the title over Miss Paraguay Nadia Ferreira, followed by Miss South Africa Lalela Mswane.

"Having a huge stage to speak your mind demands a lot of courage —courage to hold on to your ideas and your perception that you refuse to change because of others,” said Sandhu, the first Punjabi to win the contest.

“I got to know in that competition what it meant to be representing your country. I developed a purpose and since then working on achieving it,” she said.

Before Sandhu, only two Indians have won the Miss Universe crown. First, Sushmita Sen won the title in 1994. Lara Dutta was crowned Miss Universe six years later in 2000.

Although the pageant continues to include competitions in swimsuit and national costume, it was the thoughtful responses that Miss India gave to questions throughout the contest that won over the judges.

On climate change, she said: "Honestly, my heart breaks to see how nature is going through a lot of problems, and it's all due to our irresponsible behavior. This is the time to take actions and talk less, because each action could either kill or save nature. Prevent and protect is better than repent and repair, and this is what I'm trying to convince you guys today."

After she was named to the top three, her advice to young women: "I think the biggest pressure the youth of today is facing is to believe in themselves," she told Harvey. "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."

In the weeks prior to Sunday’s finale, pageant contestants were tested for the coronavirus every 48 hours and required to obey strict mask requirements.

Eilat, Israel was chosen for the pageant's site because of the country's strict health restrictions and its high immunization rate. A call for a boycott because of Israel's treatment of the Palestinians failed to materialize. Indonesia and Malaysia did not send contestants but they cited it was because of failure to meet the health restrictions, not for political reasons.