Medical student ends India's 17-year Miss World drought

Beijing: India's Manushi Chhillar on Saturday won the coveted Miss World 2017 crown at in Sanya City Arena 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, was presented the crown by Stephanie Del Valle, last year's Miss World winner from Puerto Rico. 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 wide applause.

Chhillar is the sixth Indian to win the coveted crown, 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.