Haryana girl Manushi Chhillar created history by winning the Miss World crown for India after more than a decade.

The 21-year-old medical student won the prestigious title 17 years after international superstar Priyanka Chopra had won it in the year 2000. 

Chhillar competed against 108 contestants from various countries at a glittering event held at Sanya City Arena in China to rise to the top, reports the Indian Express.

Miss World 2016 winner Puerto Rico’s Stephanie Del Valle passed on the coveted crown to the new queen. 

India, England, France, Kenya, and Mexico grabbed the top five spots at the pageant’s final round. Stephanie Hill of England and Andrea Meza of Mexico were named 1st and 2nd runner-up respectively.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, along with others took to social media to wish Chhillar on this amazing feat. ‘Congratulations @ManushiChhillar! India is proud of your accomplishment,’ he wrote.

Former Miss World, Priyanka Chopra too was excited when the news reached her ears. Sending her good wishes, she congratulated Chhillar and gave her some tips on Twitter too. 

Born to doctor parents, Chhillar studied at St Thomas School in New Delhi and Bhagat Phool Singh Government Medical College for Women in Sonepat.

She is passionate about paragliding, bungee jumping, snorkeling and scuba diving. She is also a trained Indian classical dancer and enjoys sketching and painting in her free time.

Her motto in life is ‘When you cease to dream you cease to live.’