Medical Student Manushi Chhillar Crowned As Miss World 2017

November 20, 2017

Manushi Chhillar, Miss India was crowned as Miss World 2017. The win comes to India after 17 years. Andrea Meza, Miss Mexico was the first runner up and Stephanie Hill, Miss England was the second runner up at the 67th Miss World contest. Last year's title holder, Puerto Rico's Stephanie Del Valle passed on her crown to Chhillar. Around 118 women from across the world participated in the Miss World beauty pageant held at Sanya City Arena, China on November 18, 2017.

Chhillar is currently reading for a bachelor’s degree in medicine and surgery at St. Thomas' School Bhagat Phool Singh Medical College and both of her parents are scientists. According to her profile on Miss World website, she aims to become a Cardiac Surgeon and and further would like to open a chain of non-profitable hospitals based in rural areas. The 20 years old beauty from Haryana is a trained Indian Classical dancer and has a passion for outdoor sports. Prior to this, she was crowned as Femina Miss India 2017 on June 25, 2017.

Manushi Chhillar is the sixth Indian to win the title of Miss World, which started in 1951. Reita Faria was the first Indian to claim the title of the prestigious beauty show way back in 1966, followed by Aishwarya Rai - 1994, Diana Haydon - 1997, Yukta Mookhey - 1999 and international star Priyanka Chopra - 2000. The big win of Chhillar brought India level with Venezuela as the countries with most victories in the history of the Miss World pageant, with six winners each.

Th event was not without controversy. A selfie of Miss Israel and Miss Iraq taken in Las Vegas and posted by both beauty contestants on Instagram unleashed a digital diplomatic debate.

The glittering event was co-hosted by actress and winner of Miss World 2013 Megan Young for the fourth straight year. Young hosted the show along with Mexican superstar, Fernando Allende. Sri Lanka was represented by actress Dusheni Silva at the contest.