Miss America of Indian descent rises above tweets

For the first time America's top beauty queen is a woman of Indian origin, a first partly clouded by a spate of hateful Tweets branding her an Arab terrorist.

The new Miss America is Nina Davuluri, a 24-year-old from the state of New York who wants to be a doctor.

She called her crowning Sunday night at the Atlantic City pageant, in which she performed a traditional Bollywood-style dance, a victory for diversity in America.

"It was the first time Bollywood has been performed on the Miss America stage. It's an honor for myself and my community," Davuluri told ABC television Monday morning.

"Halfway through, I just started crying because you know, it was such an incredible experience being on that Miss America stage," she said. "It was so meaningful and powerful."

Davuluri was beaming despite a spurt of racist tweets about her.

"I have to rise above that," she said at a news conference Sunday night after being crowned. "I always viewed myself as first and foremost American."

While many American saluted Davuluri's victory, some online commenters described the beauty queen, who is believed to be a practicing Hindu, as an Arab who looks like a terrorist.

One user said "It's called Miss America. Get outta here New York you look like a terrorist. #bye #americanforamerica."

A person who apparently tweeted from Kansas wrote, "Are you serious??!!! The Arab wins??!!! This is miss AMERICA!!! Not miss Arabia!!! Miss Kansas is in the army and is a country girl!!! C'mon."

Others, like the Jezebel feminist blog, denounced the comments, saying "racists are being racist because Miss America isn't white."

"This world is so ignorant. #MissAmerica Indian or not had every right to gain the title of MissAmerica. This is why I want to leave America!" chimed in @CJlovebug.

Davuluri competed on the platform issue of "celebrating diversity through cultural competency."

"I'm so happy this organization has embraced diversity," she said at the news conference. "I'm thankful there are children watching at home who can finally relate to a new Miss America."

During her 2014 year of service as Miss America, she will travel extensively to speak to audiences about her chosen issue.

The University of Michigan honor student will also serve as the official national goodwill ambassador for the children's charity group Children's Miracle Network Hospitals.

Along with her much-prized title, Davuluri won a $50,000 scholarship to pursue her education.
- AFP

Isuzu adds three more models to line-up

ISUZU FVR285: (From left) Isuzu Motors Limited’s chief engineer (Global Product Planning & Engineering Dept) Ryo Miwa; Isuzu Malaysia’s CEO Kimitoshi Kurokawa and COO Daisuke Ishida at the official launch.


PUTRAJAYA: Isuzu Malaysia has added three new models to its impressive truck line-up that offer maximum load haulage capabilities alongside superior reliability over a variety of terrain and business environments.

The new variants – NPS71, FVZ PRO and FVR285, are designed for very  different  market  applications, but each created to efficiently and confidently handle high loads in their own right.
“The new truck variants add significant range to the Isuzu line-up as they now offer customers greater flexibility and choice to meet their transportation demands.

The all-new NPS71, for instance is a powerful and extremely versatile truck that is designed to tackle rugged terrain with considerable ease thanks to its advanced 4-wheel drive system,” CEO of Isuzu Malaysia, Kimitoshi Kurokawa remarked.

An ideal vehicle for moving goods or crops along narrow jungle or plantation tracks, the NPS71 not only develops the highest power and torque figures in its class, it features an advanced 4×4 system that can be quickly engaged or disengaged by the driver for better maneuverability or efficiency as required.

Equally adept on rugged terrain is the all-new FVZ PRO. This powerful and robust 6×4 heavy-duty truck offers remarkable haulage performance, particularly on dirt trails or construction sites where its extremely rigid chassis design, robust underpinnings and a powerful 285PS commonrail engine give it optimal performance and reliability.

Operating comfortably in a very different environment is the new FVR285.

This mega-distance performer is designed to chew miles with ease as its 6-cylinder common rail engine delivers 285PS through a 9-speed gearbox.

Coupled with the latest interior design and exceptional aerodynamics, the new FVR285 offers not only efficient drives, but remains comfortable and safe for drivers and cargo too regardless of distance.

Source: Borneo Post