On Saturday, when Manushi Chhillar made history by winning the Miss World 2017 title, her family was with her in China to share the joy. Back at home, the atmosphere in the DRDO Residential Complex in north Delhi, where Manushi has stayed all her life, was one of festivity and celebration. People from her neighbourhood said, "Humare block ki ladki Miss World ban gayi, isse zyada kya chahiye?"
Some had watched the live telecast while others watched the news of Manushi winning the title. Her childhood friends said they were eagerly waiting for her homecoming. Some recounted the story of her first pageant win - years before she was crowned fbb Colors Femina Miss India World 2017 or Miss Haryana. Shweta told us, "Some 5-6 years ago, during the annual Diwali Mela in the campus, they had organized a Miss Barbie competition. All of us took it lightly and participated just for fun, but even back then, she was very serious and focused about it." Her friends remembered that her reaction on winning Miss Barbie back then had prompted jibes from people. "She was so excited on winning that people remarked, 'Yeh to aise khush ho rahi hai jaise Miss India ban gayi ho', and today, she has gone a step further than that," said Mitisha.