Who is Miss Universe 2021 Harnaaz Sandhu? What was her winning answer?
India’s Harnaaz Sandhu has brought home the Miss Universe crown after 21 years. Sandhu from Chandigarh, Punjab, was crowned Miss Universe 2021 at the grand finale of the pageant in Eilat, Israel on December 13. For India, the crown comes home after 21 years, when Lara Dutta was last crowned Miss Universe. The first and second runner-ups are Paraguay's Nadia Ferreira and South Africa's Lalela Mswane respectively. Sandhu is 21 years old and she has starred in Punjabi films like Yaara Diyan Poo Baran and Bai Ji Kuttange.
Fun fact: The last time India won the Miss Universe pageant was also the year Harnaaz was born!
TAKE A LOOK AT THE VIDEO OF THE CROWNING MOMENT:
After the big crowning moment, Harnaaz says "Chak De Fatte India" in a video that has now gone viral.
THE ANSWER THAT WON HARNAAZ SANDHU THE MISS UNIVERSE CROWN
There were two question-and-answer rounds at the Top 5 and Top 3 levels. In the final round, at the Top 3 level, Harnaaz was questioned about the increasing pressure on young women.
Question: What advice would you give to [the] young women watching on how to deal with the pressure they face today?
To this Harnaaz answered, “I think the biggest pressure the youth 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 more important things that are happening worldwide. I think this is what you need to understand. Come out and 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’m standing here today.”
The second last question during the Top 5 QnA round was on climate change. American actress Rina Sofer, one of the panelists at the finale, asked Harnaaz to convince people that climate change is not a hoax.
Question: Many people think climate change is a hoax. What would you do to convince them otherwise?
She replied, “My heart breaks to see how nature is going through innumerable problems, and it's all due to our irresponsible behaviour. I feel that this is the time to take action and talk less because every action of ours can either kill or save nature. To prevent and protect is better than to repent and repair, and this is what I would like to convince you today.”
THE BIGGER QUESTION: WHO IS HARNAAZ SANDHU?
Harnaaz Sandhu is a 21-year-old model-actress from Chandigarh, Punjab. Her father PS Sandhu is in the real-estate business. Her mother, Ravinder Sandhu, is a doctor. Harnaaz has a brother, Harnoor. Harnoor told the media that the family stayed up all night because of the excitement. Harnaaz is very close to her mother and brother.
Harnaaz Sandhu won the title of Live Miss Diva Universe 2021. She is the third Indian woman to be crowned Miss Universe after Lara Dutta, who was Miss Universe 2000; and Sushmita Sen, who won the pageant in 1994. Harnaaz Sandhu has also won titles like Miss Chandigarh 2017 during her teenage and Miss Max Emerging Star India 2018. She won the title of Femina Miss India Punjab 2021. Harnaaz is currently pursuing a master’s degree in public administration.
Harnaaz Sandhu studied in Shivalik Public School, and then the Postgraduate Government College for Girls, both in Chandigarh. Yesterday, in a story on her Instagram, Harnaaz Sandhu yesterday wrote that her strength and lifelines are her mother, brother and her maasi.