Sushmita Sen recalls winning the first ever Miss Universe title for India, says it still brings tears of joy in her eyes

It's been 29 years since Sushmita Sen won the first ever Miss Universe title for India. The year was 1994 and Sushmita was barely 18 years old, when she bagged the title. Recalling the experience, Sushmita Sen wrote on her Instagram handle that even after almost three decades, it brings tears of joy to her.

She wrote,"The privilege of representing & winning for my Motherland is an honour so profound, it brings me to tears of joy even today...29 years later!!!I celebrate & remember this day with great pride as History bears witness, INDIA won Miss Universe for the first time ever on 21st May 1994 in Manila #philippines (Mahal Kita 

Also Read: #ThrowbackThursday | When Sushmita Sen opened up about her love life: 'They were all such amazing men, but so wrong for me' ) 

#happy29thanniversary #missuniverse1994 #INDIA #yourstruly Thank you all for the love, goodness, & the most beautiful messages…forever cherished!!! I love you guys!!!! #duggadugga (sic)."

She also shared a picture shot by the legendary photographer Prabhuddha Dasgupta and wrote, "This picture is exactly 29 years old, shot by the epic man & photographer #prabuddhadasgupta. In the rawness of this picture, he beautifully captured an 18 year old me…with a smile he said, you realise you’re the first Miss Universe I’ve ever shot…I proudly added, it’s actually INDIA’s first ever Miss Universe (sic)."

Also Read: When Sushmita Sen ‘almost skipped’ Miss India 1994 because of Aishwarya Rai 

Sushmita Sen had once revealed that she almost quit taking part in Miss India 1994 contest because of Aishwarya Rai. Sushmita said that she felt so overshadowed by the Ponniyin Selvan 2 actress that she stood no chance in front of her. She added that around 25 women had already backed out of the contest after they heard about Aishwarya's participation in it.

It was Sushmita's mother, who encouraged her to take part in the contest. Sushmita’s answer in the final round won her the title of Miss India 1994. She later went on to bag the first Miss Universe title for India.