India's Harnaaz Sandhu crowned Miss Universe 2021

India’s actor-model Harnaaz Sandhu has been crowned as the Miss Universe 2021 beating contestants from 80 countries.

This is after 21 years an Indian has been crowned the Miss Universe pageant.

Only two Indians before Ms. Sandhu have won the title of Miss Universe— actors Sushmita Sen in 1994 and Lara Dutta in 2000.

The 70th edition of the event was held in Eilat, Israel, where the 21-year-old bagged the coveted pageant.

The Chandigarh-based model, who is pursuing her master’s degree in public administration, was crowned by her predecessor Andrea Meza of Mexico, who won the pageant in 2020.

While Paraguay’s Nadia Ferreira, 22, finished second, South Africa’s Lalela Mswane, 24, came third. (Foreign Agencies)