India's Harnaaz Sandhu crowned Miss Universe 2021

NEW DELHI: India's Harnaaz Sandhu, the 21-year-old model was crowned the Miss Universe 2021 topping a field of some 80 contestants. Sandhu brought home the crown, 21 years after Lara Dutta won the title in 2000.

She entered the top 3 finalists at the 70th edition of Miss Universe which was held in Eilat, Israel.

Harnaaz made it to the top 3 after her powerful answer, calling for less talk and more action.

In the top 5 she was asked "Many people think climate change is a hoax, what would you do to convince them otherwise?"

Harnaaz impressed all when she said, "My heart breaks to see how nature is going through a lot of problems, and it is all due to our irresponsible behaviour. I totally feel that this is the time to take action and talk less. Because our each action could save or kill nature. Prevent and protect is better than repent and repair and this is what I am trying to convince you guys today."

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 5 a.m. local time (10 p.m. EST) to accommodate the primetime schedule in the U.S.