Vasuki Sunkavalli at Miss Universe 2011

2011 MISS UNIVERSE COMPETITION, a photo by Bruce C. on Flickr.

Vasuki Sunkavalli, Miss India 2011 (height: 5'8.5”, Vital Stats: 30”- 25.5”-36.5”), poses in swimwear on arrival in São Paulo, Brazil, competing for the Miss Universe title in August/ September 2011 – photo by Bruce Casanova Photography©

Vasuki was born in Secunderabad, India, on 17 August 1984 in a Hindu family, originally from Unguturu village in West Godavari district of Andhra Pradesh. Her father, Venkat Ramana Sunkavalli, is in real estate business and her mother, Surya Prabha, runs her own boutique in Hyderabad, India.

Vasuki had her schooling at St. Ann's High School, Secunderabad, and later she joined Villa Marie Degree College in Hyderabad. In 2002, she joined the Symbiosis International University in Pune, India, for studying law and obtained her degree (LL.B). In 2007, she moved to New Delhi to pursue a Diploma course in Intellectual Property Rights from Global Institute of Intellectual Property. In 2009, she was granted the Dean’s Scholarship to study International Law and Human Rights and enrolled for it at the New York University School of Law (NYU Law) from where she graduated with a Master of Law (LL.M).

In 2007, Vasuki started her modeling career by walking the ramp at Wills India Fashion Week, and later she participated in various fashion shows for top fashion designers from India and modeled for several popular brands including Kitkat, Nike, World Gold Council, etc.

On 15 July 2011, Vasuki competed against 19 other contestants from India, and won the crown and title ‘I Am She - Miss Universe India 2011’, a national beauty pageant (organized by Tantra Entertainment Private Limited and former Miss Universe and Bollywood actress Sushmita Sen), which is authorized to send participants to the Miss Universe pageants, after Femina Miss India relinquished its patent in 2010 to send India’s representative to the event.

However, Vasuki failed to make it even to the final 16 at the Miss Universe 2011 pageant in São Paulo, Brazil, possibly because, she could not pose in her national costume which was not delivered to her in time.

It may be noted that the last time India won the crown was in 2000 when Lara Dutta, now a popular actress, had won the Miss Universe crown for India.

Lumbini Park, Hyderabad

Photo 1: Lumbini Park with visitors in day time

Photo 2: Lumbini Park Laser Show auditorium, showing the history of Hyderabad

Photo 3: Lumbini Park entrance gate

The Lumbini Park is a public urban park of 7.5 acres (0.03 squire km), adjacent to Hussain Sagar Lake, located in the center of Hyderabad, the capital city of Andhra Pradesh in India. It is in close proximity to other tourist attractions of Hyderabad such as the Birla Mandir and Necklace Road. The park attracts many thousands of Indian and international tourists, apart from local visitors throughout the year.

Constructed in 1994, at a cost of Indian Rupees 2.35 crores, the Lumbini Park is being maintained by the Buddha Purnima Project Authority that functions under the guidance of the Government of Andhra Pradesh.

The Lumbini Park is famous for its 2000-people-capacity laser show auditorium, boating facilities, beautiful gardens, musical fountains, along with other visually appealing features.

Charminar in Hyderabad

Charminar in Hyderabad, originally uploaded by Hyderabadonline.

Charminar, meaning "Four Towers" or "Mosque of the four minarets", is one of the most important monuments in the city of Hyderabad, the capital of the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. The area surrounding Charminar is also known by same name. There is a market around Charminar. The Charminar looks particularly spectacular at night when it is illuminated.

According to history, Muhammad Quli Qutb Shah built the monument in 1591, shortly after he had shifted his capital from Golkonda to Hyderabad. As per legends, the building was built to honor a promise Quli Qutb Shah made to Allah. He had prayed for the end of a devastating plague and vowed to Allah that he would build a mosque there.

There are also legends that in 1591 while laying the foundation of Charminar, Quli prayed, “Oh God, bestow unto this city peace and prosperity. Let millions of men of all castes, creeds and religions make it their abode, like fishes in the water”. The mosque became popularly known as Charminar. The four minarets were possibly to honor the first four caliphs of Islam. The actual mosque is at the top floor of the four-story structure.

The Charminar is a square monument. Each side measures 20 meters, and each of the corners has a tall, pointed minaret, soaring to a height of 48.7 m (159.77 ft) from the ground. Unlike the Taj Mahal, Charminar's four minarets are built into the main structure. In each minaret 149 winding steps take the visitors to the top floor that provides a panoramic view of the city of Hyderabad and the surrounding areas.

Each arch of the Charminar is 11 m wide and rises 20 m from the plinth, which is like a large table 7-8 feet above the ground with steps to go up. The four arches have clocks that were installed in 1889. A vault that appears from inside like a dome, supports two galleries within the Charminar, one over another. The main gallery has 45 covered prayer spaces with a large open space to accommodate more people for the Friday prayers.

Built with granite and lime mortar, Charminar is a fine example of the Cazia style of architecture. Locally available granite, sand and lime were used for construction. During the Mughal Governorship, the south western minaret fell to pieces after being struck by lightning, but it was repaired immediately. In 1824 the monument was re-plastered.

Kali at Golconda Fort

Kali at Golconda Fort, originally uploaded by tkremenek.

Color image of Goddess Kali at Golconda Fort, Hyderabad - it is one of a series of images found there by the author.

Hussain Sagar Lake

“Hope, like the gleaming taper's light, adorns and cheers our way; and still, as darker grows the night, emits a brighter ray.”, originally uploaded by Dreamzzzz.....

One wouldn't want to miss Hussain Sagar Lake, at any cost, when you visit Hyderabad.


Hussain Sagar bridges the twin cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad. It constitutes a continuum between history and contemporaneity. While Hyderabad represents the old and ancient part and Secunderabad the latter day addition the two were culturally different and still are.