In 2021, 21-year-old brings back crown after 21 years

Harnaaz Sadhu became the 3^rd person from India to win the Miss Universe title. Sushmita Sen had been the first Indian to wear the crown in 1994, followed by Lara Dutta in 2000.

Born in 2000, in the village of Kohali in Gurdaspur District of Punjab, the Sandhu family had shifted to England in 2006. They came back to India after 2 years and Harnaaz went to Shivalik Public School in Chandigarh. She later joined the Post Graduate Government College in Chandigarh and is currently in the final year of her master's degree in Public Administration, from the same college.

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Her family consists of her father Pritampal Singh Sandhu, a realtor, her mother Rabinder Kaur Sandhu, a gynaecologist and senior medical officer at Sohana Hospital, Mohali and her elder brother Harnoor, who works as a musician and video editor. Although the mother and brother knew, the father had no information that his daughter was going to take part in a pageant for the first time and was informed only after she won the competition. Regarding this situation, her father later in an interview said that he had told his daughter "that there was no need to hide her interests. Times have changed and she must do what she is good at."

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The Sandhu family have been busy doing interviews since Harnaaz won the Miss Universe title. In one such interview, her mother, Dr. Sandhu said that Harnaaz's father dotingly calls her a 'Sherni' (a lioness). Dr. Sandhu also said she never forced her daughter to become a doctor or engineer and told her to follow her heart. She also added that Harnaaz loves working with underprivileged children and she would encourage her to continue doing so and to speak out on women empowerment.

Harnaaz had started taking part in beauty pageants from around 2017. As a teenager, she won Miss Chandigarh 2017 and Miss Max Emerging Star India 2018. After that she won Femina Miss India Punjab in 2019. She took part in Miss Diva in 2021 and won the title along with the titles of 'Miss Beautiful Skin', 'Miss Beach Body', 'Miss Photogenic' and 'Miss Talented'.

She also added that Harnaaz loves working with underprivileged children.Harnaaz Sandhu's Instagram accoumt

While competing for Miss Diva, she spoke about how she was bullied when she was a kid, which affected her mental health. It was one of the reasons why she chose this path and decided to inspire the youth.

The following is an excerpt from what she said at the Miss Diva 2021 competition as her opening statement in the Grand Finale.

"From a young girl with fragile mental health who faced bullying and body shaming to a woman who emerged like a phoenix, realizing her true potential. From an individual who once doubted her own existence to a woman who is aspiring to inspire the youth. Today, I stand proudly in front of the universe as a courageous, vivacious and a compassionate woman who is all set to lead a life with a purpose, and to leave behind a remarkable legacy."

While speaking about 'Global Warming and Climate Change' in the final question and answer round at Miss Diva 2021, she said:

"One day, life will flash before your eyes, make sure it's worth watching. However, this is not the life you want to watch, where the climate is changing and the environment is dying. It is one of the fiasco that us humans have done to the environment. I do believe that we still have time to undo our irresponsible behaviour. Earth is all we have in common and our small acts as individuals when multiplied by billions can transform the whole world. Start now, from tonight, switch off those extra lights when not in use."

"Know that you are unique and that's what makes you beautiful."Harnaaz Sandhu's Instagram account

While in the top three contenders for the Miss Universe crown, she was asked "What advice would you give to young women watching on how to deal with pressures they face today?" Her answer, "The biggest pressure the youth face today is to believe in themselves. 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'm standing here today."

From having mental health issues as to kid to becoming the self-confident person that she is now, Harnaaz Sandhu has come a long way. She urges everyone to believe in their ownselves and not compare their lives to that of anyone else. Everyone is unique and that is why they are beautiful.

(Keywords : Miss Universe, Harnaaz Sandhu, India, Punjab, Miss Diva, mental health, confident, unique, beautiful, global warming, climate change, youth)