After winning the Miss Universe crown in 2021, Harnaaz Sandhu made the entire nation of India proud. After Lara Dutta’s victory in 2000, it was Harnaaz who took the initiative, won the pageant, and returned the crown to India.
These remarkable accomplishments, however, are insufficient for establishing her qualifications because people continue to assess her.
At the pageant in Louisiana on 14 January, Miss Universe Harnaaz Sandhu made her last entrance wearing a black and white gown before handing the crown to Miss USA R’ Bonney Gabriel. Soon after her appearance she was badly body-shamed and mocked for her weight gain.
A woman is always judged by the beauty standards that have been established, regardless of what she is going through internally. Harnaaz is currently suffering from celiac disease, which means she can’t eat wheat flour or many other foods, which has caused her weight to rise.
While she is not accountable to any of these people, such harsh remarks can leave a lasting impression. She has broken down several times as a result of these rude comments, but she is doing her best to remain tough-skinned. While body shaming persists all over the world its time that we master the art of ignorance.
But the point is, why should a woman be subjected to such insensitive remarks? Why can’t a woman choose to live her life on her own terms, ignoring beauty standards?
The majority of women live in constant fear of being scrutinised for who they are or how they appear, but the moment we let down our guard and accept ourselves and be unapologetic for who we are, that is when we unleash our secret weapon and win the war.
Let Harnaaz be; she doesn’t need your pity or your insensitive remarks. In the interim, trolls could practise being sympathetic and making an effort to act human.
