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Articles: News | ATA scheme to help distressed Andhra farmers
- Mr. Amarendra Nettem
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(This report is prepared by J.V. Lakshmana Rao, Managing Editor, India Tribune)
Chicago: An ambitious program, 'Lend a hand to motherland,' to help the distressed farmers in Andhra Pradesh, has been launched by Telugus at the Eighth American Telugu Association (ATA) Conference and Convention at Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont here.
An announcement to this effect was made by ATA president A.V.N. Reddy at the inauguration of the convention in the presence of Andhra Pradesh Minister for Industries Bothsa Satyanarayana, Union Minister of State for Coal and Mines Dr. Dasari Narayana Rao, several dignitaries and more than 8,000 attendees on July 3.
Elaborating the scheme, A.V.N. Reddy appealed to all the Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) including immigrant Telugus each to donate one day salary to the program to help the farmers who were facing untold difficulties because of drought conditions.
Another scheme through which one could help was to donate $1000 for sinking a bore well in a village or help maintain its sanitation. He also appealed to the attendees to donate to various service schemes being taken up by ATA in Andhra Pradesh.
The convention venue area and its entrance were tastefully decorated to reflect the Telugu culture.
The aim of the convention, whose three-point theme -- Arrive, Assimilate and Excel -- was to help Telugus living in the US celebrate their language, culture, heritage, art, music and dance.
The convention began with a ceremonial procession, Ganesh puja and prayer to Sri Venkateswara to the music of Nadaswaram and chanting of Vedas. It was followed by singing of the US and Indian national anthems. Salitha Reddy, emcee, welcomed the gathering and gave a brief history of ATA. Dr. Prem Reddy, accompanied by Mrs. Reddy, lighted the traditional lamp to mark the opening of the convention. Vidyasagar Rao Madhavarapu, ATA secretary, introduced the Board of Trustees, and Dr. Murthy Chimata, convention convenor, introduced members of conference committee and local advisory committee. Salitha Reddy read a proclamation received from Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley wishing the convention a grand success.
Chandrasekhar Palvai Reddy, president of TAGC, welcoming the gathering, paid tributes to A.V.N. Reddy, Hanumath Reddy, Dr. Murthy Chimata, Dr. C. Narayana Reddy, C.C. Reddy, advisor to government of Andhra Pradesh, and other dignitaries and invitees. He said the convention provided an opportunity to all Telugu people to meet at one place. It gave an opportunity of exposure for the Telugu children born in the US to the culture of their parents. He said ATA took up several projects in India and the US to help the people.
Arun Kumar, consul general of India in Chicago, spoke high of achievements of Telugus in the US. He also congratulated Madhu G. Yaskhi, an NRI, who was elected to the Indian Parliament from Nizamabad. He said that the state of Andhra Pradesh was immensely benefited by the role played by NRIs.
Ramana Murty Yedavalli, ATA Chicago local coordinator, explained the theme of the inaugural song and dance. The lyrics were by Dr. Vaddepalli Krishna, concept writeup by Chimata Kamala, and music by Radha and Gopi. Gangadhar, Gopi, Ramu, Radhika and Nitya Santoshini sang the song. Some 70 artists presented the 30-minute dance with 21 sequences choreographed with a combination of dances and songs both classical and folk styles.
Delivering his presidential message, A.V.N. Reddy traced the history of arrival of Indians to the US dating back to Swami Vivekananda's visit to Chicago, and the important role played by Telugus as engineers, doctors, and other professionals in this country. He said that ATA had taken up several humanitarian and educational projects in Andhra Pradesh. He also spoke about the medical camps and 'ATA Roju' program arranged in Hyderabad last December. Announcing the launching of 'Lend a hand to motherland' scheme and other projects to help the needy people back home, he said that even small donations would be a great help to them.
Chandra Reddy Gavva and A.V.N. Reddy introduced Dr. C. Narayana Reddy and felicitated him.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr. C. Narayana Reddy said: 'Culture is the identity of a nation. It is the signature. It's our duty to protect and nurture it wherever we live.'
He paid tributes to Telugu poets, authors and musicians like Annamayya, Tyagaraja and others. He said that Telugu was the only language which has 200 ragas. 'Telugu has the capacity to absorb words from all other languages. It is a forceful and effective language,' he added.
Bothsa Satyanarayana said that he brought a message of greetings from Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y. Rajasekhara Reddy. Later through a recorded videotape, the Chief Minister congratulated the Telugus in America for their enthusiasm to promote their language and culture Batchu Satyanarayana Rao introduced chief guest Dr. Dasari Narayana Rao, who was felicitated by A.V.N. Reddy. The Union Minister for Coal and Mines congratulated Telugus for organizing the convention of a massive size and scale. He praised Telugu, Andhra Pradesh, India, their culture and heritage. He also said Telugu's contribution to both India and abroad was immense. 'Telugus brought knowledge to this country. You have enriched this country. Your love for language, heritage and country is immense. Your victory here is victory of ours in India,' he added.
On behalf of the government of India, he assured that those NRIs who wanted to invest in India would not find any difficulty. All investment projects would be cleared through a single window.
He appealed to the NRI parents to expose their children to the Indian culture and heritage by making them visit India as frequently as possible. He said that he would request the government of India to conduct a youth festival and invite the NRI youth to get firsthand exposure to country's culture and heritage.
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