Fellow Chandigarh students, faculty celebrate Miss Universe Harnaaz Sandhu’s feat

Deepankar Sharda

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, December 13

Miss Universe Harnaaz Sandhu lived up to her name, meaning “everyone’s pride”.

A wave of happiness spread across the Post-Graduate Government College, Sector 42, premises soon after Harnaaz, a student of Master’s in Public Administration (third semester), was named Miss Universe.

While faculty members praised Harnaaz for her simplicity and dedication towards her passion, fellow students felt proud of her achievement and celebrated throughout the day.

A well-known figure of the college, Harnaaz had earlier also bagged many laurels. Her achievements include Miss Fresh Face in 2017, Miss India World, 2020 (among the top 20 finalists), Miss India Universe, Times Fresh Face, 2017, Miss Chandigarh winner, Miss Max Emerging Star, 2018, finalist from Chandigarh in Miss Diva India, 2018, Fabb Colours Femina Miss India Punjab, 2019, and Miss Diva title, 2019 (awarded by the college). Besides representing Chandigarh at national-level beauty pageants in Mumbai, she has also played a lead role in a Punjabi movie. Along with participating in beauty pageants, she had won laurels in mimicry and skit competitions at youth festivals.

She completed her Bachelor’s in IT from the same college and secured the first division. “She is an obedient student. We must appreciate her journey. Not only us, the entire nation is proud of her. She was focused on winning the title, and I am happy that she attained it at the right time,” said Prof Jagan Nath, Head, Department of Public Administration, and Vice-Principal of the college.

“Compliments to her relentless efforts and dedication. The education and values, which she acquired over the years, have paid off today. She is a role model not only for students but for every person in our country. She displayed great courage in facing a tough competition from across the world,” said Prof (Dr) Nisha Aggarwal, Principal.

A role model, says PU VC

Prof Raj Kumar, Vice-Chancellor, PU, extended his heartiest felicitations to Harnaaz Sandhu, who brought laurels to Panjab University. “She can be a role model and an inspiration for students aspiring to reach such heights in their careers,” he said.

‘Simple to special girl’

Assistant Professor Mohit Verma, who heads the theatre group of the college, termed Harnaaz’s life a perfect story of a “simple to special girl”. “She is down to earth and simple. Like other students, she joined the theatre group as a medium to express herself. In 2017, she was adjudged the best actress for playing a role in the “Gulab ya Tezab” play. The story was based on acid victims. She continued her passion throughout these years,” said Verma. Harnaaz’s journey also included some lows, when she lost in the finals of the Miss India World event. “She was disheartened. However, she didn’t lose hope,” said Verma.

Students’ take

College students enjoyed Harnaaz’s crown-wearing moment. “She made us all proud and has become a role model for every student of this college. I am eagerly waiting to see her in college among us to celebrate her feat,” said Bhumkia Manchanda, a student. “We will organise a special function in her honour. We will try to organise a play depicting her struggle of becoming Miss Universe from Chandigarh,” said Deeksha Sharma, another student.

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