By | Flor Leano
The Universe has a new queen as Harnaaz Sandhu of India won the coveted title of Miss Universe 2021 during the pageant’s finals night in Eilat, Israel on Sunday, December 12. This 21-year-old actress and model is the third Miss U queen of India. She earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Information Technology and is currently pursuing her masteral studies in Public Administration.
The newly-crowned queen is an advocate of women’s rights to education, careers, and their freedom of choice. Her model for women empowerment is her mother who she said “broke generations of patriarchy” to become a successful gynecologist and lead their family. She believes in the saying – “Great things happen to those who don’t stop believing, trying, learning, and being grateful.”
Harnaaz consistently excelled in the competition. In the National Costume parade, she looked queenly and elegant as she showcased the rich Indian culture through her royal Indian queen costume. In the swimsuit competition, she wore a ruby swimsuit and slayed the runway that sealed her spot in the top 10. And for the final round, she pulled on an exquisite glitzy gown. Walking with confidence and style, she looked so deserving for the crown. She constantly answered well in the Q&A and this was her winning answer to the final question- What advice would you give young women who are watching on how to deal with the pressures they face today?: “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 what makes you beautiful, stop comparing yourselves with others and let’s talk about more important things that’s 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’m standing here today.”
Truly, Harnaaz Sandhu’s wit, beauty, grace and relevant advocacy are the reasons why she made history.
