INDIA saw the Miss Universe crown returning to its soil after 21 years on Sunday (12) when 21-year-old Harnaaz Sandhu bagged the top honour at the 70th edition of the contest in Eilat in Israel.
The last time an Indian won the Miss Universe crown was in 2000 when Lara Dutta was announced the winner. She is the third Indian winner of the crown overall with Sushmita Sen winning it in 1994.
Sandhu, who was born the year Dutta won the world crown, beat contestants from Paraguay and South Africa. The woman from Chandigarh broke down with tears of joy the moment her name was declared as the winner. She was also seen joining her hands in gratitude.
Last year’s winner Andrea Meza passed on her crown to Sandhu.
Expressing pride in the win, Sandhu dedicated it to her country saying, “Chak de phatte India, chak de phatte.”
As part of the final question round, the top three contestants were asked, “What advice would you give to young women watching on how to deal with the pressures they face today?”
To this, Sandhu, born in a Punjabi Sikh family, said, “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’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. I believed in myself and that's why I am standing here today. Thank you.”
Sandhu, who is a model, has won pageant titles such as Miss Diva 2021 and Miss India Punjab 2019.
She has also featured in Punjabi films such as ‘Yaara Diyan Poo Baran’ and ‘Bai Ji Kuttange’.
Indian prime minister Narendra Modi congratulated Sandhu over her feat, tweeting, "Congratulations to Harnaaz Sandhu on being crowned Miss Universe. Best wishes to her for her future endeavours."
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Tourists visit Betaab Valley in Pahalgam, about 112 km south of Srinagar on June 26, 2025.Getty Images
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