India’s Harnaaz Sandhu is the new Miss Universe, 21 years after Lara Dutta won the title in 2000.

The 21-year-old from Punjab claimed the crown edging out Paraguay’s Nadia Ferreira and South Africa’s Lalela Mswane.

The new Miss Universe is…India!!!! #MISSUNIVERSE pic.twitter.com/DTiOKzTHl4

— Miss Universe (@MissUniverse) December 13, 2021

Before the Chandigarh-based model, only two Indians have won the title of Miss Universe – actors Sushmita Sen in 1994 and Lara Dutta in 2000.

On being asked what advice she would give to young women on how to deal with the pressures they face, a composed Ms Sandhu said, “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’s happening worldwide.”

FINAL STATEMENT: India. #MISSUNIVERSE

The 70th MISS UNIVERSE Competition is airing LIVE around the world from Eilat, Israel on @foxtv pic.twitter.com/wwyMhsAyvd

— Miss Universe (@MissUniverse) December 13, 2021

“This is what you need to understand. Come out, speak for yourselves 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,” Sandhu said with aplomb.

Nguyen Thuc Thuy Tien of Vietnam has won the Miss Grand International 2021 title, one of the top six major international beauty pageants for women.

Tien, 23, finished ahead of 59 contestants at the grand finale held Saturday evening in Bangkok, Thailand.

Tien beat the Ecuador contestant in a Top 2 final-question round, where they were asked why they think should win the title.

“I have to be honest that I didn’t think I would be standing here. I’m very nervous right now… I’m ready to work. I’m ready to be in Thailand for one year,” the Vietnamese contestant said.

Earlier that night, she had been asked: “With the current world situation there are many problems such as those related to human rights and economy, if you choose one person to discuss the problem in order to make the change, who will you choose and why?”

Tien said she would talk to the woman who invented the AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine.

“She doesn’t need money from her invention and I’m grateful for that. Sometimes you just need to work and don’t care what you get.”

Her answer was applauded by the judges and the audience.

Tien is the first Vietnamese contestant to win the Miss Grand International title.

The contest’s organizers also awarded first and second runners-up titles to the contestants from Ecuador and Brazil.

Miss Grand International was founded in 2013. It’s one of the six major global beauty contests held annually, the others being: Miss World, Miss Universe, Miss International, Miss Earth and Miss Supranational.