New Delhi: Divine benediction was sought, and granted. Dr Ravinder Kaur Sandhu headed to the gurudwara near her house at 5:30 in the morning, and didn’t stop praying until her son came running in to give her the good news — her daughter Harnaaz Sandhu had won Miss Universe 2021. Ravinder Kaur sobbed uncontrollably upon hearing the news, and continued praying for a while to express her gratitude.
However, a day that should have been lit up with celebrations has turned out to be physically draining for the mother of the new Miss Universe.
Speaking to ThePrint, Ravinder sounded more exhausted than jubilant.
“Subah se bura haal hai. I am tired of talking to the media over and over again. Bohot media hai ghar par (it’s been a tough day… there are many mediapersons in my house),” she said over the phone from near her residence in Kharar, a town in Punjab. “Even right now, I came out for a drive to get some peace. But see, here you’ve called me and I am talking to the media again!”
Because of the almost crushing media attention, the Sandhu family has barely had the time to celebrate Harnaaz’s victory, or for it to sink in. “Celebrate toh tab karenge na jab media wale chance denge. Humne toh subah se paani bhi nahin piya (the media hasn’t given us a chance to celebrate yet. We haven’t even had the chance to drink water). They’re not even letting us inside the kitchen. My house is overcrowded,” said Ravinder, a gynaecologist working as a senior medical officer at Sohana hospital.
She hasn’t even been able to congratulate her daughter yet. “I haven’t even spoken to her or congratulated her,” she said.
The family’s jubilation might have been suspended for a day, but will certainly happen any day soon. “In accordance with Punjabi traditions, we’ll welcome her and celebrate. However, I haven’t had the time to plan all of this yet,” Ravinder said.
She credited her daughter’s single-minded dedication to winning the pageant for bringing home the crown.
“It wasn’t her childhood dream or anything. But ever since she fixed her eyes on winning the competition, she didn’t stop,” she said.
Harnaaz won the Miss Diva 2021 title and Femina Miss India Punjab 2019. She made it to the Top 12 shortlist at Femina Miss India 2019.
Also read: Harnaaz Sandhu is the 12th Indian to win a big beauty pageant. Here’s a look back at the others
Victory for an Indian after 21 years
Indeed, the constant media presence at Ravinder’s house isn’t surprising. After all, Harnaaz joined the league of Sushmita Sen (1994) and Lara Dutta (2000) when she won the 70th edition of the Miss Universe pageant held in Eilat, Israel, Sunday.
A Chandigarh-based actor-model, Harnaaz has acted in two Punjabi films, Yaara Diyan Poo Baran and Bai Ji Kuttange.
When asked if her daughter has any plans to feature in Bollywood movies, Ravinder said, “This is a decision she’ll take after returning. The family won’t pressurise her to do anything. It will be her decision and we’ll provide our full support.”
(Edited by Saikat Niyogi)
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