KHARAR (CHANDIGARH): She aspired to be a judge but ended up creating history by beating 80 other beauty contestants to bring home Miss Universe crown after 21 years.
Actress-Model Harnaaz Sandhu is the third Indian to be crowned Miss Universe after Lara Dutta (2000) and Sushmita Sen (1994).
#yehbaat 👊😁👏💃🏻❤️🇮🇳 ‘Har Hindustani Ki Naz’ Harnaaz Kaur Sandhu #MissUniverse2021 #INDIAAAAAA 😀💃🏻🙏🤗❤️💋🌈 Soooooo proud of you!!!!
Congratulations @HarnaazSandhu03 👏😍🤗 Thank you for representing India so beautifully!! May you reign supreme!!👏😁❤️ #JaiHind 🇮🇳🙏 pic.twitter.com/wRiq3h53wi— sushmita sen (@thesushmitasen) December 13, 2021
The Chandigarh-based model, who is pursuing her master’s degree in public administration from Sector 42 college, was crowned by her predecessor Miss Universe 2020 Andrea Meza of Mexico, at Universe Dome in Eilat, Israel.
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
While speaking to The New Indian, Sandhu’s mother Harwinder Kaur, a doctor said, “Her text sharing the win came first. And the moment we got on call, we both broke into tears. All she said was ‘Chakk te fatte!’”
The elated family members have not stopped celebrating since. First things first, Kaur offered prayers at a Gurdwara.
Congratulations to Harnaaz Sandhu on being crowned Miss Universe. Best wishes to her for her future endeavours.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 13, 2021
Sandhu began her journey in pageantry when she won Times Fresh Face in 2017, representing Chandigarh at the age of 17. She later won the LIVA Miss Diva Universe 2021 title.
Sandhu has also worked in a few Punjabi films, including “Yaara Diyan Pau Baran” and “Bai Ji Kuttange”.
Her brother Harnoor Singh, who is also pursuing graduation, said that she was in contact with her family members and has been sharing details on behind the scenes and facilities that she has been getting as a contestant.
The family is planning a grand party at their home in Kharar upon her return. Her father PS Sandhu has not stopped answering calls ever since the news broke. “Though she aspired to be a judge and was even preparing for the same since she cleared her plus two exams, this (beauty pageants) just happened to her. She has made us proud today,” he shared, beaming from ear to ear.