She fought obesity, asthma, Nina’s granny says

 Oblivious of the racial slurs being heaped on her granddaughter who won the Miss America pageant, Nina Davuluri's 85-year-old grandmother V Koteswaramma is rejoicing. 

"I am not surprised. I was always confident she would go places as I was aware of her abilities and dedication," said Koteswaramma. Her home at Moghalrajapuram was busy with family friends and relatives trooping in to congratulate the grandparents since Monday morning. 

Recalling how her grand-daughter struggled before reaching the pinnacle, Koteswaramma said that Nina overcame two obstacles, asthma and obesity. "I can only say that Nina will not stop here," she said. 

A relative said Nina was the only one in her immediate family who did not pursue medicine. While her parents, father Koteswara Chowdary and mother Sheila Ranjani, are doctors in the US, her maternal aunt and uncle too are doctors. Nina's elder sister, Meena, is in her third year of medicine. Her paternal uncles are also doctors in US. 

"Nina too wanted to study medicine and become a cardiologist. But she took a new route and has now won the Miss America title," Koteswaramma beamed. She said Nina was a loves Telugu films and culture and is a trained Kuchipudi and Bharat Natyam dancer. 

Koteswara shifted to the US soon after his marriage in 1981. Sheila is on the board of Montessori Kalasala as vice-president and visits the city at least once in two years. The girls of the Montessori celebrated the Nina's new title. 

Nina last visited Vijaywada city in 2007 soon after becoming first runners up in Miss America'soutstanding teen contest. However, except for Koteswaramma's close family circle, very few in the city knew of her until she was crowned Miss America. Nina is a graduate in cognitive science from Michigan university. 

Earlier, a Vijayawada girl, Gadde Sindhoora won the 'Femina Miss India' title and reached the Miss World semi-finals in 2005. 

How brands newsjack events on social media

Brands are continuously trying to humanize themselves to increase interaction with customers and become more likeable on social media. Not only do they interact with customers, they often indulge in 'friendly' chitchat with rival brands too - stuff that consumers seem to revel in.

Twitter has proved to be a great platform for such 'interactions'.

Most recently, in a move made out of fear, envy or sheer overconfidence, many smartphone brands tried to steal some limelight from the 'big'Apple event.

When Apple announced that the iPhone 5C would be available in multiple colours, many on social media pointed out the obvious 'coincidence' that Nokia too had earlier launched a series of brightly coloured phones.

Among those was Nokia (obviously). The tweet, which read "Thanks, #Apple ;)" carried an image of Nokia's Lumia range with the caption - Imitation is the best form of flattery.