Vijayawada culture remains intact: Miss America

The pride of Vijayawada, Nina Davuluri, who won the prestigious Miss America 2014 title, is back home. Born and brought up in this city, Nina is the first Indian-American and second Asian American to win the title.

She has come here to attend the golden jubilee celebrations of Montessori Educational Institutions, which were established and are being run by her grandmother, Dr V Koteswaramma. Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, Union Minister M Venkaiah Naidu and other dignitaries are set to attend the golden jubilee celebrations today.

Young Nina feels honoured to have won the Miss America title. She is now campaigning for child rights across the USA and feels that it’s a great honour and responsibility. She is also campaigning for women empowerment which, she claims, gives her happiness.

Nina says that she has to complete her education first and then share her responsibility of spreading social consciousness on issues like child rights and women empowerment. Nina, however, is not a movie buff. Talking about Vijayawada, Nina said she had been to the city some five years ago and she finds the city has not changed much with regard to people who continue to share their love.

“I have noticed some structural changes in the city but the people are the same. Vijayawada’s culture has remained intact,” she says.

In the week ahead, Nina will be busy meeting her childhood friends, family members and relatives where she will recall her childhood days.

By: Ch Sowmya Sruthi