India's Manushi Chhillar today won the coveted Miss World
2017 crown at a grand event in China, bringing to an end the country's dry
spell of 17 years at the top pageant contest.
The 20-year-old from Haryana, who is a medical student, edged
out top five contestants from England, France, Kenya and Mexico.
Chhillar was presented the crown by Stephanie Del Valle, the
last year's Miss World winner from Puerto Rico at the event in Sanya City Arena
in China which was televised live globally.
The announcement about Chhillar winning the Miss World crown
was also made on the pageant's official Twitter handle as well as on its
Facebook page.
"The winner of Miss World 2017 is Miss India Manushi
Chhillar," the tweet said.
The first and the second runners-up were Miss England
Stephanie Hill and Miss Mexico Andrea Meza.
In the top five round, Chhillar was asked which profession
according to her deserved the highest salary.
"I think a mother deserves the highest respect and when
you talk about salary it's not always about cash but I feel it's the love and
respect that you give to someone. My mother has always been the biggest
inspiration in my life.
"All mothers sacrifice so much for their kids. So, I
think it is the job of a mother that deserves the highest salary,"
Chhillar said to a wide-applause.
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.
According to Chhillar's profile on the Miss World website,
she aims to be a cardiac surgeon and wants to open a chain of non-profitable
hospitals based in rural areas.
A trained Indian classical dancer, Chhillar has a passion for
outdoor sports and actively participates in paragliding, bungee jumping,
snorkelling and scuba diving besides sketching and painting.
Her personal motto, as described on the website, reads:
"When you cease to dream you cease to live" and "Courage to give
flight to your dreams and the ability to believe in yourself makes life worth
living".
