DHAKA: Nina Davuluri became the first contestant of Indian heritage and the second consecutive contestant from New York to win the Miss America pageant Sunday night.

Davuluri, 24, won the title as the nationally televised pageant returned home to Atlantic City, reports The Straits Times.

She succeeds another Miss New York, Mallory Hagan, whose tenure was cut short when the pageant moved back to Atlantic City after a six-year stint in Las Vegas, where winners were chosen in January.

Davuluri performed a classical Bollywood fusion dance for her talent competition.

BDST: 1358 HRS, SEPT 16, 2013
RoR/Jck