Haryana's Manushi Chhillar today won the prestigious Miss World 2017 crown for India at a grand event in China, bringing to an end the country's dry spell of 17 years at the top pageant contest. Priyanka Chopra, now a Bollywood star, won the title for India way back in 2000.
Chhillar, 21, competed against 108 contestants from various countries at a glittering event held at Sanya City Arena in China.
Miss World 2016 winner Puerto Rico’s Stephanie Del Valle gave away the coveted crown to the new queen.
While Manushi was crowned the title, Miss Mixico was the first Runner's Up and Miss England was the Second Runner's Up.
Chhillar, who hails from Haryana, had earlier this year won the Femina Miss India 2017.
She has become the sixth Indian to be crowned Miss World.
When her name was announced, Chhillar -- a medical student, couldn't believe herself and reacted with extreme joy.
When asked, which profession in the world deserves the highest salary and why, she replied saying, "My mother has been my biggest inspiration, so I have to say, a mother's job. It is not always about cash, but love and respect as well. A mother deserves that the most."
Her family were in the audience when she was announced the winner.
Chhillar, born to doctor parents from Haryana, studied at St. Thomas School in Delhi and Bhagat Phool Singh Government Medical College for Women in Sonepat.
In an interview during her grooming, she said, "The only thing I believe is certain in life is uncertainty, and this is what is amazing about the pageant."
