Tatlumpung taon na ang nakalilipas mula nang idaos ang Miss Universe 1994 sa Plenary Hall ng Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) sa Pasay City noong May 21, 1994.
Pero nakaukit pa rin sa isip at puso ni Sushmita Sen ang araw na hinirang siya bilang kauna-unahang mamamayan ng India na nagwagi ng nabanggit na karangalan.
Read: Miss Universe 1994 Sushmita Sen's story about Charlene Gonzalez is heartwarming
Nananatiling espesyal kay Sushmita ang Pilipinas dahil dito natupad ang kanyang pangarap maging Miss Universe.
Ngayong Martes, Mayo 21, 2024, muling sinariwa ni Sushmita ang ika-30 anibersaryo nito bilang Miss Universe sa pamamagitan ng isang Instagram post—ang mga nangyaring naghatid ng malaking pagbabago sa kanyang buhay at pagkatao noong 18 years old siya.
Mensahe ni Sushmita: “This little girl, who I met in an orphanage, taught an 18-year-old me, life’s most innocent yet profound lessons, ones that I live by to this day.
“This captured moment is 30 yrs old today as is India’s first ever Victory at Miss Universe!!!
“What a journey it’s been & continues to be….Thank you India for always being my greatest identity & strength!!
“Thank you Philippines for the unending love & belonging…Three decades counting!! #mahalkita
“To all my loved fans, friends, family & well wishers around the world…know that, each one of you has made a difference to my life & inspired me in ways you may never know!! I feel the love!!! Thank you!!!
WHAT AN HONOUR!!!
"Here’s to the next #30"
Kalakip nito ang larawan na karga niya ang isang batang babae sa bahay-ampunan na kanyang binisita noong Miss Universe titleholder siya.
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SUSHMITA SEN'S SECOND HOME
Ang Pilipinas ang itinuturing na pangalawang tahanan ni Sushmita dahil malaking bahagi ng buhay niya ang ating bansa.
Read: 10 Unforgettable Things about 1994 Miss Universe Pageant in Manila
Noong Enero 2017 ang huling pagbisita ni Sushmita sa Pilipinas dahil isa siya sa mga hurado sa 65th Miss Universe na ginanap sa Mall of Asia Arena.
Ang respetado at award-winning broadcast journalist na si Jessica Soho ang isa sa mga nag-interbyu kay Sushmita habang nasa Pilipinas ito para sa programa ng GMA-7, ang Kapuso Mo Jessica Soho.
Nang bumalik si Sushmita sa India, paulit-ulit niyang ikinuwento sa Indian press na naging headline ng mga pahayagan ang mga hindi malilimutang karanasan nang bumalik siya sa Pilipinas. Kabilang na rito ang panayam sa kanya ni Jessica.
“During this time, I went on Jessica Soho [program], she’s a spokesperson.
“She said to me, ‘Did you know that since 1994, Sushmita Sen is a Filipino name?’
“I’m like, 'What? Sushmita Sen is a Filipino name?'
“It is! Because all the children born in that year, the Filipinos have named it after an Indian name.
"You have no idea to have met all these Filipino girls bearing their names and all of them is Sushmita. I’ve met them!
“And that’s when you feel like a legacy or a part of you was left behind so I do call my Philippines my second home,” may pagmamalaking kuwento ni Sushmita tungkol sa pagkakataong nakilala niya nang personal ang mga Pilipina na isinilang at ipinangalan sa kanya nang magwagi siyang Miss Universe noong May 21, 1994.
