India gave Harnaaz Sandhu who brought home the Miss Universe crown after a gap of 21 years, a befitting ovation along with her friends, family and teachers celebrating this incredible the achievement. The Kohali, Gurdaspur born 21-year-old Hanaaz had moved to the Kharar in 2008, after spending two years in England.
“When she participated in her first pageant, her mother and brother hid it from me. It was only after she won that they told me of this interest of hers. I immediately told my daughter that there was no need to hide her interests. Times have changed and she must do what she is good at,” Harnaaz Sandhu‘s Father expressed proudly while talking to media at the family’s residence in Shivalik City, Kharar.
Harnaaz Sandhu Parents Proud – Says she did what she is good at
Kaur’s father, Pritampal Singh Sandhu, 56, a realtor, revealed the family has always encouraged her to pursue her dreams.
He added that as he comes from a ‘simple’ Jatt family, he wasn’t sure people from his village may approve of his daughter’s career choices. But he is overwhelmed by the congratulatory messages pouring in ever since his daughter Harnaaz 21-year-old won the crown.
Her mother Dr Rabinder Kaur Sandhu, a gynecologist and senior medical officer at Sohana Hospital, Mohali, reveals how her father dotingly calls Harnaaz “Sherni”.
Priyanka Chopra in her tweet wrote
And the new Miss Universe is… Miss India Sparkles Congratulations
@HarnaazSandhu03 … bringing the crown home after 21 years!
Harnaaz Sandhu secret to Miss Universe Crown is following her heart
“I never forced her to become a doctor or an engineer. I told her to follow her heart. Nobody in our immediate family or friends’ circle have any idea about this career. In fact, we used to watch YouTube videos to learn about ramp-walk etc.”
A devout woman, Dr Sandhu was at the Sohana gurdwara when she was informed of her daughter’s victory. “Harnaaz is also very religious. We will surely visit the Golden Temple in Amritsar to thank God for her success. After this, I will not force her to do anything but she loves working with underprivileged kids and I will encourage her to do this and speak out on women empowerment,” she said.
Harnaaz’s older brother, Harnoor Sandhu, a singer and video editor, claimed he couldn’t sleep the previous night of the pageant because he was too excited. “I was watching the show live online and was hardly able to keep up as she progressed to the final three.”
Harnoor said Harnaaz aspired to be a judge before she became interested in beauty pageants, and the siblings get along well.
Harnaaz enjoys preparing and eating jalebis, according to her family, and her favourite meal is makki di roti sarson da saag with lots of ghee.
She is in her final year of MA Public Administration at Sector 42’s Post Graduate Government College for Girls. Nisha Aggarwal, the principal of the college, was among those who came to congratulate the family.