Shree Saini became the first runner-up in this year’s Miss World 2021 pageant. The Indian-American, who represented the United States, shared a heartfelt comment about overcoming facial burns and heart defects. She said her triumph could encourage and inspire people to face their daily challenges.
Shree Saini, 26, added that she was not only representing herself but also “333 million Americans, billions of Indian immigrants” at the global event.
Hailing from Ludhiana in Punjab, her family moved to the US when she was only 5 years old. When she was 12, she had a permanent pacemaker implanted after being diagnosed with a rare heart condition. She also had a serious accident that left her with burns to her face, but these issues didn’t stop Ms. Saini from realizing her potential.
“I hope my story of overcoming burns and heart defects can encourage people to overcome their daily challenges,” she said in an Instagram post just before the grand finale of the Miss World pageant.
Shree Saini added that she had dreamed of participating in the event since she was just six years old. “When I was just 6, I dressed up as Miss World because I saw Miss World as a superhero, a woman who serves with her loving heart. This is my deepest desire since I was young,” she added.
Referring to the car accident a few years ago when she was in college, Ms. Saini said she had bleeding wounds on her face. “I didn’t have my face anymore. I couldn’t even recognize myself. I couldn’t even cry because my tears would burn if they went over my wounds. It was the most excruciating pain I had ever endured.”
Ms Saini said she was lucky to have survived the crash and that she used that event as an “anchor thought” to stand on. The beauty queen said having a purpose to serve gave her strength in difficult times. And now she wants to encourage people to “see their light and be the light.”
“I have been through hardships and I understand that life in itself is a privilege,” she added in another post.
Poland’s Karolina Bielawska won the Miss World title.