Miss America's relatives in Andhra celebrate her win

Eighty-nine-year old Koteshwaramma Choudhary broke down as news reached her that her granddaughter, 24-year-old Nina Davuluri was crowned Miss America 2014

“It was not surprising, knowing my granddaughter’s determination and talents,” said Koteshwaramma, who runs Montessori Mahila Kalasala in Vijaywada, 280 kilometres away from Hyderabad.

Speaking to this correspondent over phone, Koteshwaramma said, “I am immensely happy for my granddaughter as it is a great achievement. She finally reached her dream goal. But I know she will not rest and will go further ahead.”

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Koteshwaramma recalled that her daughter Shiela Ranjani left for the United States after marrying Davuluri Koteshwara Choudhary in 1981. While Choudhary pursued higher education and settled down as a gynecologist in Missouri, the couple was blessed with two daughters -- Meena and Nina.

Meena, elder of the two sisters, is a medical student in third year. “Nina also wants to become a doctor, a cardiologist,” said Koteshwaramma as she was interrupted by phone calls and visitors congratulating her.

However the ordinary people on the street had no idea of how a member of a local family was dominating headlines across the world. “Locals have a faint idea of it. But those following the news carefully know that she has a connection to Vijaywada,” said Ramanna Chary, a Vijaywada resident.

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Nina, who had visited Vijaywada to meet her grandparents in 2007 is no stranger to the Indian and Telugu culture. She learnt Kuchipudi and Bharatanatyam dance as part of her plan to pursue the dream of becoming Miss America.

She had come to Vijyawada soon after becoming first runner up in Miss America’s Outstanding Teen contest in 2007 and she was felicitated at a function.

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Speaking on the occasion then, she had said that Telugu films were one of the mediums to keep herself connected to her cultural roots.

“I am a big fan of Telugu films, especially the new generation ones,” she had said. However she ruled out the possibility of entering the world of films. “I am serious about becoming a cardiologist,” she said.

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Her’s is a family of doctors on both sides of her parents. Her maternal aunt and uncle are also doctors and run a nursing home in Vijaywada, and her father’s siblings are also doctors in US. 

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