Beauty is what you are and not what you wear: Nina Davuluri

“Women’s Day is not a matter of a day, there are 364 other days where we should celebrate being women. We might feel unequal but that is not true. We have opportunities that we should just reach out to,” said former Miss America of Indian origin Nina Davuluri here on Wednesday. She interacted with a group of women and children at a programme held by Vasavya Mahila Mandali.

Addressing the gathering on the occasion, Nina, who is brought up in Vijayawada said that a woman could achieve anything that they strongly desire. She referred to the example of her mother Sheela, daughter of Montessori Educational Institutions Chairperson V Koteswaramma and said that her mother was a graduate when she reached New York.

Later, she pursued necessary education and became a working woman and raised two girl children to success. “I always take inspiration from my family and believe in education systems which hold the key for women empowerment. For me, this started at home,” said Nina. When a few enthusiasts asked her how she defines beauty, Nina said, “Beauty is something that is defined by what you are and not by what u wear or which complexion you have.

The concept varies from person to person and I remember my parents and relatives asking me not to go out in the sun whenever I am in Vijayawada for a vacation, only because I catch a tan. But, the complexion of skin is no way a parameter to define your beauty which is more enhanced by wearing and depicting self-confidence.”

“Lifestyle and fitness are very demanding factors. Being fit is quintessential for everybody no matter of what age they are. We have a single body and there is a choice to nourish it. Being fit and celebrating the body you possess,” she said as an answer to a question on size zero craze among youngsters.

She interacted with the children at Vasavya Mahila Mandali and posed for pictures alongside them. US Consulate Public Affairs Officer Jennifer, former MP Chennupati Vidya, technical director of VMM Dr Keerthi and others were present.