Harnaaz Sandhu, Miss India, wins the title of Miss Universe 2021 after 21 years

On Dec 12, 2021, Harnaaz Sandhu, Miss India won the 70th Miss Universe Pageant in Israel. She is the first ever woman of Sikh heritage to win the title. Miss South Africa was second runner up and Miss Paraguay was first runner up. 

Harnaaz Sandhu from Chandigarh earlier in the year was crowned the winner of LIVA Miss Diva as Miss Diva Universe 2021 at the grand finale judged by well-known celebrities like actress Kriti Sanon, singer Kanika Kapoor, billiards and snooker player Pankaj Advani, who is a 23-time world champion and Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari, filmmaker and writer for films like "Nil Battey Sannata" and "Bareilly Ki Barfi", among others.

Punjabi film actress Harnaaz is currently pursuing her Masters' degree in Public Administration. She has also worked in Punjabi films like the upcoming 'Yaara Diyan Poo Baran' and 'Bai Ji Kuttange'. After she won the pageant, the family went to a nearby Sikh shrine to pray. Harnaaz, who started modelling at a young age, had earlier won Miss Chandigarh and Miss Punjab title, among others. Sandhu's father has 17 brothers, and Harnaaz is the only female offspring in the extended family.

After the pageant she will be treated to 'makki ki roti' and 'sarson da saag' by her parents when she comes back to her hometown, Chandigarh.

"It's a proud moment for all of us. I can't express how happy I am. She has always been very active and determined," Harnaaz's mother, Ravinder Kaur, told the media at her residence in Mohali.

"Makki ki roti and sarson da saag is her favourite and I would love to treat her with it when she comes home. It doesn't increase calories either," added Kaur, a gynaecologist.

The contest suffered a last-minute hiccup with the arrival of the omicron variant, which forced Israel to close its borders to foreign tourists late last month.

Most of the Miss Universe contestants were already in the country before the new regulations came into effect. But those who came afterward were given special permission to enter, albeit with a mandatory 72-hour quarantine period.

Throughout the run-up to Sunday’s contest, all contestants were tested for the coronavirus every 48 hours and required to obey strict mask requirements.

The new Miss Universe is...India!!!! #MISSUNIVERSE pic.twitter.com/DTiOKzTHl4

— Miss Universe (@MissUniverse) December 13, 2021

The second runner up is...South Africa! #MISSUNIVERSE

The 70th MISS UNIVERSE Competition is airing LIVE around the world from Eilat, Israel on @foxtv pic.twitter.com/xOtBjXiN8i

— Miss Universe (@MissUniverse) December 13, 2021

Sandhu said she was feeling “overwhelmed because it’s been 21 years since India got Miss Universe crown and it’s happening right now.”

The pageant included traditional displays of national costumes, swimwear and a series of interview questions to test contestants' public speaking skills. The top 10 showed off intricately bedazzled full-length gowns in either gold, silver or bronze. The Philippines' Beatrice Luigi Gomez wore an asymmetrical cut dress with one sleeve, highlighting a new tattoo she said “celebrates her womanhood.”

Former Miss Universe 2000 Lara Dutta congratulated the New Miss Universe 2021 via Twitter.

Congratulations @HarnaazSandhu03 !!!! Welcome to the club!!! We’ve waited 21 long years for this!!! You make us SO SO proud!!! A billion dreams come true!!! @MissDivaOrg @MissUniverse

— Lara Dutta Bhupathi (@LaraDutta) December 13, 2021

Captain Amarinder Singh, the former Chief Minister of Punjab took to Twitter to congratulate Sandhu on her win.

Congratulations to Harnaaz Sandhu on being crowned as #MissUniverse2021. Once again a daughter of India makes the nation proud.

Best wishes for all your future endeavours beta! pic.twitter.com/RH8CWNKbdT

— Capt.Amarinder Singh (@capt_amarinder) December 13, 2021

The win as Miss Universe comes from India after 21 years with Lara Datta winning the Miss Universe in 2000.

Last year’s pageant was delayed due to the pandemic before Meza was crowned in May for her abbreviated tenure.

Sunday’s contest was hosted by U.S. TV personality Steve Harvey. Organizers said the pageant was expected to reach an estimated 600 million viewers via the FOX network in 172 countries.