India's Journey At Beauty Pageants

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Harnaaz Sandhu, 21, won the Miss Universe crown last month, beating contestants from 79 countries

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Harnaaz Sandhu is in New York and has become a spokesperson for various causes supported by the Miss Universe Organisation

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Harnaaz says she will work to 'break stereotypes that the world has for women.'

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She is also an actor and two of her Punjabi films are set to release this year.

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In the 2020 edition of Miss Universe, Adline Castelino, representing India, had finished fourth.

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In 2021, India won the Miss Universe title after a gap of 21 years

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Only two other Indians have won the title – Sushmita Sen and Lara Dutta.

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Actor Sushmita Sen, who was crowned Miss Universe in 1994, was the first Indian to win the title. She was only 18 when she won the honour.

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In 1994, India also took home the Miss World title. Aishwarya Rai won

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In 2000, Lara Dutta became the second Indian to win the Miss Universe crown.

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The next win would come 17 years later, when Manushi Chillar was crowned Miss World

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Priyanka Chopra, Dia Mirza and Rita Faria are some other winners at international beauty pageants.

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