People's Daily - Manushi Chhillar，a 20-year-old medical student from Haryana, India was crowned Miss World 2017 in Sanya, China on November 18.

Beating out 108 contestants, Chhillar’s victory marks India’s sixth victory in the pageant, ending a 17-year drought.

The last Indian to take home the Miss World crown was Priyanka Chopra in 2000. She later went on to become one of India’s highest paid entertainers.

Going in to the competition at Sanya City Arena, Chhillar was not a favorite to win as England, France, Kenya and Mexico held the top five spots.

Raised by doctors, Chhillar attended St. Thomas School in New Delhi and Bhagat Phool Singh Government Medical College for Women in Sonepat.

During the question round, she was asked, “Which profession deserves the highest salary and why?”

“I think a mother is of the highest respect. I don’t think it’s just about cash, but love and respect she gives to someone. She is the biggest inspiration in my life. Mother should get the highest respect,” Chhillar answered.

Miss World 2016, Stephanie Del Valle of Puerto Rico, presented Chhillar with the winning crown for the pageant’s 67th edition.  In June, Chhillar won the 54th Femina Miss India World 2017.

Created by British impresario Eric Morely in 1951, the beauty competition is the longest-running event of its kind.

China has won the Miss World pageant twice. In 2007, Zhang Zilin became the first Chinese to take home the crown, followed by Yu Wenxia in 2012.