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India's Harnaaz Sandhu is the new Miss Universe

India's Harnaaz Sandhu is the new Miss Universe

This year's pageant was marred with controversy after one contestant withdrew because it was being held in Israel.
13 Dec, 2021

Harnaaz Sandhu of India was crowned the 70th Miss Universe on Sunday, topping a field of some 80 contestants in a pageant that was touched by politics and the pandemic.

The previously reigning Miss Universe, Andrea Meza of Mexico, crowned her successor, a Bollywood actress, in the Israeli Red Sea resort town of Eilat. The pageant was held in the middle of the night, wrapping up at 5am local time to accommodate the primetime schedule in the US.

The pageant included traditional displays of national costumes, swimwear and a series of interview questions to test contestants’ public speaking skills. The top 10 showed off intricately bedazzled full-length gowns in either gold, silver or bronze. The Philippines’ Beatrice Luigi Gomez wore an asymmetrical cut dress with one sleeve, highlighting a new tattoo she said “celebrates her womanhood.”

But the contest also drew attention in recent weeks for other reasons.

A grassroots Palestinian-led boycott had urged contestants to skip the event to protest Israel’s treatment of the Palestinians.

In the end, only Malaysia, a predominantly Muslim country with close ties to the Palestinians, did not send a representative, citing the global Covid-19 situation. The South African government, which also strongly supports the Palestinian cause, withdrew support for the country’s representative over her participation.

In an interview last month, Meza urged contestants to leave politics out of the pageant, saying the gathering was meant to bring together women from different backgrounds. “When you are in there you forget about politics, about your religion,” she told The Associated Press at the time.

Sara Salansky, an official with the Israeli Tourism Ministry, said the country was selected to host the contest earlier this year because of Israel’s successful coronavirus vaccination programme.

The contest suffered a last-minute hiccup with the arrival of the omicron variant, which forced Israel to close its borders to foreign tourists late last month.

Most of the Miss Universe contestants were already in the country before the new regulations came into effect. But those who came afterward were given special permission to enter, albeit with a mandatory 72-hour quarantine period.

Throughout the run-up to Sunday’s contest, all contestants were tested for the coronavirus every 48 hours and required to obey strict mask requirements.

Amid all the safeguards, France’s contestant, Clemence Botino, tested positive for Covid-19 shortly after arriving in Israel. After 10 days in quarantine, she was declared virus free last week and allowed to rejoin the competition.

Last year’s pageant was delayed due to the pandemic before Meza was crowned in May for her abbreviated tenure.

Sunday’s contest was hosted by US TV personality Steve Harvey. Organizers said the pageant was expected to reach an estimated 600 million viewers via the FOX network in 172 countries.

Comments

Ayush singh Dec 13, 2021 11:05am
East or west India is the best
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Junaid Dec 13, 2021 11:07am
Congrats. After Sushmita, Lara, Yukta she brought Miss universe crown back to India
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John Dec 13, 2021 11:12am
Good
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Ayesha Dec 13, 2021 11:12am
Loved the fact that keeping enimity aside Islamic nations like Morroco, Lebanon, Egypt, UAE, Bahrain, Nigeria, Maldives, Bangladesh others etc didnt widraw from event and did participate in the miss universe beauty pageant
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Abdullah Deewana Dec 13, 2021 11:15am
What a beautiful desi girl.
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Saima Dec 13, 2021 11:18am
Venezuela, Indian, Phillipino Puerto Rico beauties win majority beauty pageants in the world, no surprise woman from these countries top most beautiful woman list every year
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UM Dec 13, 2021 11:19am
When your culture emphasizes intellect, grace, dignity and forbearance, the world recognizes its beauty and luster… Congratulations Harnaaz; you did India proud!
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Omar Dec 13, 2021 11:22am
Congrats beautiful, congrats India. She deserved it. Love from neighbour Pakistan. Spread love, say no to hate :)
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Muzna Dec 13, 2021 11:23am
Stunning Indian lady. Congratulations India.
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Kash Qurashi Dec 13, 2021 11:28am
I don't see any beauty.... miss universe
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Bilal Dec 13, 2021 11:35am
Top world CEOs, Chess champions, top in beauty pageants, top in world spelling bee, No 1 in sending orbitor to moon and mars in first attempt, youth in Mensa IQ, get Nobel every now and then, have world dance champions... Cant believe we were one nation 72 years back...
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Asad Dec 13, 2021 11:43am
Gorgeous Indian beauty. Congrats
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Gurdev Singh Dec 13, 2021 11:43am
She is probably the first Sikh woman to win a world beauty title. She portrayed the Indian culture with a "Namaste"
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A SHAH Dec 13, 2021 11:47am
@UM "culture emphasizes intellect" 287 million illiterate people that make up 37% globally
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Arshad Dec 13, 2021 11:49am
Not again.
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Tadka Dec 13, 2021 11:55am
For some here.. 'Whiteness' do not win beauty contests beauty/some brain needed for win!!!
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Tadka Dec 13, 2021 11:57am
@Junaid After Sushmita, Lara, and not Yukta cos she was Ms world
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Michael D'Souza Dec 13, 2021 11:59am
Congratulations India !!!
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Don Dec 13, 2021 12:05pm
Rigged contest held in Israel.
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Don Dec 13, 2021 12:06pm
@Junaid Yukta had won Miss World not Universe.
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Bhau Dec 13, 2021 12:07pm
@Omar - thanks Bro. We need ppl like you in both side who are willing to spread love rather hate.
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Neighbor Dec 13, 2021 12:08pm
@Junaid yukta was miss world, not miss universe. Harnaaz is the third miss universe from India.
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Qasim Dec 13, 2021 12:09pm
Congrats Indian beauty
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Gully boy Dec 13, 2021 12:13pm
So proud of her. Indeed beautiful.
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Manu USA Dec 13, 2021 12:17pm
Long live Hernandez ! Congratulations !!
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point of view Dec 13, 2021 12:26pm
Yet another Indian shining at global stage, congratulations Harnaaz Sandhu. You brough glory to India.
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point of view Dec 13, 2021 12:29pm
Glad to see positive comments from across the border.
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TPA Dec 13, 2021 12:42pm
Pakistan still stuck with Mahira Khan
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A shah Dec 13, 2021 12:58pm
India just seems unstoppable. What an amazing country
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Dr. Salaria, Aamir Ahmad Dec 13, 2021 01:04pm
Joke of the century.
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Dollarman Dec 13, 2021 01:19pm
India is a big market for beauty products!
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Pops Dec 13, 2021 01:28pm
That song “Punjabi Mutiyaran” is so apt.
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Rana Talukdar Dec 13, 2021 01:35pm
Thank you dawn for the elegant photos, specially with the umbrella.
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kash Dec 13, 2021 01:55pm
lets see her without make-up then
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JustSaying Dec 13, 2021 01:59pm
Indians all the Way....
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JustSaying Dec 13, 2021 02:00pm
Indian Girls are not only Beautiful.. But have Grace.. Combined with Intellect...
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JustSaying Dec 13, 2021 02:00pm
Indians Shining on World Stage...
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Good Neighbour Dec 13, 2021 02:06pm
@AJ why she should enter...
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Capricornian Dec 13, 2021 02:06pm
A lovely panjabi kudi!
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M. Saeed Dec 13, 2021 02:13pm
It is more of a combination of wit, figure, health and intelligence, than the aesthetic beauty in the contest,.
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Surya Kant Agrawal Dec 13, 2021 02:30pm
Wonderful news
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FASTag Dec 13, 2021 02:36pm
Jai Ho. Many congrats!!!!
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FASTag Dec 13, 2021 02:36pm
A blend of beauty with brain.
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Abhi Dec 13, 2021 02:41pm
@Dr. Salaria, Aamir Ahmad Keep counting, India will continue to produce jokes of the century, good luck with your jealousy.
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Imran Dec 13, 2021 02:42pm
@Junaid , list is not complete.
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Imran Dec 13, 2021 02:44pm
India, India, India. Everywhere Indians.
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JustSaying Dec 13, 2021 02:46pm
@Saima Thanks Saima....
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JustSaying Dec 13, 2021 02:47pm
@Muzna " Stunning Indian lady. Congratulations India.. " Thanks Muzna.... Hv A Gr8 day...
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Sam Dec 13, 2021 02:47pm
@Pops haiii ji Panjabi muthriyarin
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JustSaying Dec 13, 2021 02:49pm
@Dollarman " India is a big market for beauty products.. " Yes Correct... Herbal Beauty Products... not Chemical Based....
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Shahzaib Dec 13, 2021 03:12pm
Miss Universe Standard have certainly gone downhill, or rather down the drain
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indopak Dec 13, 2021 03:55pm
@Gurdev Singh well said
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Jeet Dec 13, 2021 04:16pm
So now a fellow sikhni is also the miss universe.
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Cv Dec 13, 2021 04:22pm
It’s just entertainment. Really does nothing for the image or upliftment of millions of women.
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Omar Dec 13, 2021 04:34pm
@Dollarman O yes when other small nations like Venezuela, philliphines win its ok to you, when India wins "India is big market so they won" Come out of this hate filled biased mindset and wish the deserving girl congrats
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Hamza Dec 13, 2021 04:42pm
@Gurdev Singh Congrats, I think now every corner won at some time south Indian ashwariya Rai, east Indian sushmita, south western adline, north western India Harnaaz
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Hasan Dec 13, 2021 04:58pm
Beautiful Indian beauty, well deserved congrats from neighbour
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Shahnawaz Dec 13, 2021 05:05pm
@M. Saeed First nine rounds are based on beauty, appearance, perfect face, body, walk, personality, after contestants clear that round, chosen top three beauties face intellectual question
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Mehreen Dec 13, 2021 05:08pm
@Shahzaib Its always nice to keep enimity aside and wish the winner, this sour grapes syndrome is ruining us not them
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OZ Dec 13, 2021 05:17pm
@Shahzaib yeah and grapes are very sore too these days
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Rubina Dec 13, 2021 05:19pm
@Dollarman So 21 years India didnt win miss universe , India wasnt the market for them and past winners philliphines, Columbia won because because of their markets. Wow. Btw biggest, biggest markets in the world is 1st China and then USA then France, not India
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OZ Dec 13, 2021 05:20pm
@Dr. Salaria, Aamir Ahmad Thanks for clarifying your status.
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Sane Mind1st Dec 13, 2021 05:20pm
It's the intelligence that really brings out the inner beauty. In any human being. Congrats
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Razor Dec 13, 2021 05:25pm
So another actor makes her debut in bollywood. Less than 50% of all the countries in the world took part so how can it be called miss universe?
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Asghar Ali Dec 13, 2021 05:28pm
@kash She already cleared the initial bare face test round. Sick of seeing chauvinistic men put woman down , keep aside thy male ego and wish the deserving beautiful lady.
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M. Saeed Dec 13, 2021 05:31pm
@JustSaying, Indians all the way because Pakistanis and Bangladeshis are not allowed by their Governments to contest.
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Mohsin Dec 13, 2021 05:38pm
@M. Saeed Its a world beauty pageant, physical Beauty is essense of it. All rounds are based on features, physique, poise to enter top 3, except final round which is Q and A round for top 3
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Tadka Dec 13, 2021 05:47pm
@Dollarman then why did it take 20 years to get back the crown?
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Nasser Dec 13, 2021 06:45pm
Cattle show
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Nasser Dec 13, 2021 06:45pm
Cattle show
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Fiza Dec 13, 2021 10:03pm
Beautiful girl, proud moment for south asia
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JustSaying Dec 13, 2021 11:35pm
@Nasser " Cattle show.. " Only for those who are Brainwashed and taught from Childhood that Women are Cattle with no Brains... with no Rights... Should be kept under their Patriarchal Control...
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GreenAura Dec 13, 2021 11:56pm
India has a pretty 1%, but the rest of them, sheesh. In terms of general standard of women's looks - there is zero contest between generally beautiful Pakistani females and generally gluttonous Indian females. 1% of half a billion is still loads though.
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Observer101 Dec 14, 2021 12:13am
She is a Punjabi! Punjabi women are the prettiest whether in India or Pakistan!
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Phaja Milka Dec 14, 2021 01:18am
Waste of time ztv owns the contest only indians win.
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Amit Khanna Dec 14, 2021 01:38am
@M. Saeed whats stopping you. Just empty statements. India has more beauty titles than any other country in the world, also the ceo’s of top companies in the world are indians. See the range there!
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Ibrahim S Dec 14, 2021 02:07am
@Omar - Agreed . How long are we going to suppress women in Pakistan. This poor creature grows up listening to NO and dies saying NO to her body. Men have a divine right to subjugate women
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Hanna Dec 14, 2021 02:24am
@TPA no pak still stuck with humayun saeedy
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Pops Dec 14, 2021 02:24am
She says “Chak Dey Fatte” after winning, like a true Punjabi. Watch her video reception back to her village, on Twitter.
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Hanna Dec 14, 2021 02:29am
@kash do your I.Q. seems too low
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Hanna Dec 14, 2021 02:34am
@Nasser so by that logic body building competitions are cattle shows too
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AHAQ Dec 14, 2021 03:00am
Show business gone to extremes
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D’Souza Dec 14, 2021 03:19am
I mean I have not seen a more beautiful and smart woman. Must be the indianess in her.
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Akil Akhtar Dec 14, 2021 03:29am
Anything for indian money....
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J Dec 14, 2021 04:35am
@Kash Qurashi you must be blind!
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Gamer Dec 14, 2021 05:10am
@A SHAH out of the number u have given 95% are Muslims, hope this corrects your sense of thinking
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Na Dec 14, 2021 05:40am
@Ayesha why you leing only morroco participate there..
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shubs Dec 14, 2021 06:04am
@Dollarman "India is a big market for beauty products!" You're about 30 years late with this stupid excuse.
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Ibrahim S Dec 14, 2021 07:03am
@Nasser My sympathies to women in your family
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Simba Dec 14, 2021 07:50am
Nothing like an Indian woman. The world knows it.
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Shahid Mahmood Dec 14, 2021 08:04am
Is this lady the most beautiful in the whole universe?
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Observer101 Dec 14, 2021 08:19am
East or West Punjabi kudi is the best!
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myview Dec 14, 2021 08:57am
@Dr. Salaria, Aamir Ahmad You just can't tolerate others' success. Pityful.
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Southindian Dec 14, 2021 09:31am
ayla... my love harnaaz
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Southindian Dec 14, 2021 09:32am
@Observer101 No only indians are beautiful.
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Southindian Dec 14, 2021 09:44am
Prabhas's next heroine is here
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Aqbal Singh Dec 14, 2021 11:03am
Congratulations India! Congratulations Gorgeous Punjabi beauty Miss Harnaaz Kaur Sandhu. Congrats to whole of Punjab (East Punjab in India and West Punjab in Pakistan). Let us respectfully cherish our sisters and daughters as our equals. They are wonderful people.
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Fiza Dec 14, 2021 12:31pm
@Aqbal Singh Stop taking credit for Indian sikh girl
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Armaan Dec 14, 2021 12:33pm
@Simba World knows Indian beauties thats why they top beauty list be south Indian Ashwariya Rai, East Indian Sushmita Sen or west Indian Harnaaz etc
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Armaan Dec 14, 2021 12:33pm
@Shahid Mahmood Yes
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Bilal Dec 14, 2021 12:38pm
@Observer101 " not just Indian punjab, South Indian Ashwariya Rai, Indian Bengali Sushmita sen, Goan Lara dutta, Mumbai adline each part of India has won for exotic Indian beauty in world pageants
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Ayesha Dec 14, 2021 12:41pm
@Observer101 Nope, Pakistani Punjabi Diya ali participated in same year as Haryanvi Manushi Chillar in miss world beauty pageant.
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Mehreen Dec 14, 2021 12:48pm
@Akil Akhtar So India didnt have money for 21 years, small nations like philliphines and Puerto rico had all these years and won ? All the American and chinese money market cudnt buy them a crown? Rediculous excuse for grapes
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Sameer Dec 14, 2021 12:52pm
Congrats. East or west Indian kudi is the best - Bengali Sushmita, Haryanvi Manushi, Goan Lara Dutta, Punjabi Harnaaz, South Indian Ashwariya all have brought glory to India
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Sameer Dec 14, 2021 12:54pm
@Simba Grapes are sour
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Tadka Dec 14, 2021 01:14pm
@M. Saeed Dont bother...even the ads they r not getting forget abt Ms Universe
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Rubina Dec 14, 2021 01:21pm
@Observer101 Not true seeing pageant result of Diya Ali from punjab Pakistan
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LgbtqX Dec 14, 2021 08:00pm
OIC should have a beauty contest of our own.
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Observer101 Dec 15, 2021 05:03am
@Ayesha, Hartanvis are of Punjabi descent. Haryana was part of Punjab, just as the part in Pakistan. Politicians separated them into three parts.
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ram Dec 15, 2021 09:11am
@Imran Now Unilever CEO is also a Indian origin person
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babla Dec 15, 2021 06:50pm
@Gurdev Singh yes and earlier Manpreet Kaur Brar was there. She won the Miss India crown in 1995, and was the first runner-up at the 1995 Miss Universe pageant.
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Meh Dec 17, 2021 03:30am
Can't believe these kinds of contests are still going on in the 21st century.. Thanks to the Trumps of the world.
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