Lights and Cameras Glittering all around, a million eyes on you, Wiltz, a Punjab-based Indian Girl, took home the title of Miss Universe during the pageant’s finals. A 21-year-old girl born and brought up in Chandigarh has lived her life just like another girl in the neighbourhood.
As mentioned in her Miss Universe delegate bio, her mother is her inspiration. Her inspiration is sourced from her mother, who broke all the fetters of patriarchy and held her personal set of values, beliefs and goals high and became a successful gynaecologist.
She never let go of her dreams because of the cultural pressures. She pursued her career and aspirations irrespective of the shackles of pressure from extended family/society. The path may not have been easy, but her determination was the fuel.
Her final answer to the jury at the Miss Universe pageant stoutly upholds her advocacy for women’s rights and dignity. She was asked, “What advice would you give to young women watching on how to deal with the pressures they face today?”
Harnaaz replied, “Well, I think the biggest pressure the youth of today is facing is to believe in themselves. To know that you are unique and that’s what makes you beautiful, stop comparing yourselves with others, and let’s talk about more important things that are happening worldwide.
“I think this is what you need to understand. Come out, speak for yourself, because you are the leader of your life. You are the voice of your own [life]. I believe in myself, and that’s why I’m standing here today. Thank you.”
In today’s present scenario, Indian women are caught constantly in a face-off between the hue and cry of patriarchal conservatism and self-empowerment and freedom. Her victory is the blueprint for all the women and girls withholding their dreams and aspiration, too scared of society to break free from the deep-rooted conditioning and gender stereotypes.
Women need to dis-entangle from the relentless societal and cultural pressure and listen to their inner self. Girls and women are showing unprecedented growth in sports, education, technology, the fashion world, etc.
It’s time for each woman/girl to realise that their worth is not decided by the norms and rules of religious and cultural aspects in society. No one but you know your actual worth. Your worth is not in WHAT society wants from you. Instead, it is in WHAT you want from yourself. Our virtue of life cannot be pleasing others and should be our happiness and empowerment.
We at Sachhi Saheli are proud of Ms Harnaaz’s achievements and congratulate her for the same. She inspires many others to break all barriers and oppressions and thrive towards what they desire and dream.