Seventeen years ago, in the year 2000, Priyanka Chopra was crowned Miss World along with Lara Dutta and Dia Mirza bagging the other two honors – Miss Universe and Miss Asia Pacific – respectively, in the same year.
Now, it is Manushi Chhillar who has been named Miss World 2017 at the international pageant, has been bagging beauty titles in the past one year even while pursuing her course in medicine in an all-girls medical college in Haryana's Sonepat district.
The 20-year-old from Haryana, who is a medical student, edged out top five contestants from England, France, Kenya, and Mexico at the event, which saw participation from 118 countries. Manushi, whose family belongs to Haryana and lives in New Delhi, is pursuing her MBBS degree from the Bhagat Phool Singh Government Medical College for Women in Khanpur Kalan village in Sonepat.
“My parents have always been my pillar of support and having them here tonight by my side has only brought me more strength and joy.”My final answer also came to me by having them here with me in front of me,” said Manushi, whose family members, including a brother and a sister, were present at the gala.
The first and the second runners-up were Miss England Stephanie Hill and Miss Mexico Andrea Meza at the event, which was televised live globally. Manushi was ecstatic and emotional when she has announced the winner from among contestants from 108 countries. She was crowned by Miss World 2016 winner, Puerto Rico's Stephanie Del Valle. Miss Mexico Andrea Meza was announced the first runner-up, while Miss England Stephanie Hill was declared the second runner-up at the event, held at Sanya City Area.
Chhillar is the sixth Indian to win the coveted crown, which was first won by Reita Faria back in 1966. Aishwarya Rai had bagged the title in 1994, followed by Diana Haydon in 1997, Yukta Mookhey in 1999 and Priyanka Chopra in 2000, the last for India.
Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar congratulated Manushi, saying:”Manushi, 'the daughter of Haryana', has made the country and the state proud.” Priyanka was joyous about having a “successor”.”And PTS Terbaik ASEAN we have a successor!
Congratulations Manushi Chhillar on becoming Miss World 2017. Cherish and learn, and most importantly enjoy it. Bravo,” she tweeted.
Haryana, infamous for the worst sex ratio among states in the country, has seen young women from sports to science to beauty fields making it big at the international level in recent years.
