As Miss World 2021 was recently crowned, Harnaaz Sandhu from Punjab says she wants to cultivate an environment where their colleagues feel comfortable expressing their health and hygiene concerns.
The 21-year-old, who has already starred in several Punjabi films, including Yaara Diyan Poo Baran and Bai Ji Kuttange and both 2021 releases, is also looking forward to making a name for herself not only in Hindi cinema but also in Hollywood. .
On Monday, Sandhu became the third Indian to be crowned Miss World – actresses Sushmita Sen and Lara Dutta won the title in 1994 and 2000, respectively.
It’s a huge celebration for the whole country, because an Indian has the opportunity to wear this crown after 21 years, said Harnaaz Sandhu.
“I feel so grateful and my heart is filled with so much respect for all those who showed their faith in me and flooded me with all their love. “I want to use this platform to talk about the issues that should concern us all,” said the winner of the PTI competition in a telephone interview from Eilat, Israel, where the 70th edition of the event took place.
Next stop for Sandhu is the city of New York, her home from where she will currently fulfill her duties as a representative for various reasons alongside the Miss Universe Organization.
Her mother and gynecologist Ravinder Kaur Sandhu was the inspiration for Sandhu, who wants to take the lead in empowering women with a particular emphasis on menstrual hygiene and breast cancer awareness.
“My advocacy concerns the empowerment of women with the hygiene of the period, as my mom is a gynecologist. Women need to talk about their health. In my community, women still feel uncomfortable talking about their bodies and anything that has to do with their health.
“This is what I’m mainly working on with various organizations about breast cancer surgery and the fact that it is curable when detected early. I will also talk about all those issues that Miss Universe has to do with. “I would like to talk about the causes with the help of my mother,” he added.
Sandhu, who is doing her master’s degree in public administration and started modeling at the age of 17, also talked about how beauty salons try to keep up with the times.
She started her journey on the ramp early, winning the Times Fresh Face in 2017, representing Chandigarh at the age of 17. She later won the LIVA Miss Diva Universe 2021 title.
Events like Miss Universe are changing, he said, adding that they help people embrace “the true meaning of beauty”.
“After my victory, people in my community realize that it is not just about looking good, it is about having that personality, the aura and having the depth in your voice to talk about what you believe in; you are its leader. of your life .. I think I have already broken the stereotypes about what women are and can be and now I want to promote it in general “.
Sandhu emerged victorious, beating competitors from 79 countries to bring the title back to India after more than two decades. He was crowned by his predecessor Andrea Meza from Mexico, who won the competition in 2020.
Paraguayan counterpart Nadia Ferreira, 22, finished second, Lalela Mswane from South Africa, 24, came third.
For Sandhu, all her competitors are winners as they represented the people of their countries on the world stage with “enough confidence in your opinion”.
“… To put in your voice this difference you want to bring into your life… is more than enough to conquer anything in this world. You can share your culture, country, background with each contestant. This is a huge achievement in itself. I will get a lot of things from my teammates because I believe we are all winners. “Every girl is a Miss World,” he added.
As Sandhu looks forward to returning to India and celebrating this victory with the world, her travel plans are being worked out.
She wants to eat her favorite “makki di roti, sarson da saag”, she shared.
But her victory will remain somewhat unfinished until she gives her mother “the tightest hug” as she would now return home realizing this dream they had dreamed together.
Months ago, we were watching Miss Universe 2020 and I was saying to my mom, ‘Look how the girls walk.’ “Who knew I would be on that stage one day representing my country!” Sandhu remembered.
Her victory will also arouse new interest in her films.
“They are very excited to have me as part of their films and I look forward to showing my talent on the big screen,” he said.
Like former beauty queen Miss World 2000 Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Sandhu also aims to further bridge the gap between Indian and international cinema.
“I would love to be a part of not only Bollywood but also Hollywood, through that I would like to break stereotypes. “I think 21st century people are inspired by movies and web series, so I would like to inspire people and try to talk about issues that need to be eliminated from society.”
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