Naata-Maata Newsletter released in Houston

Houston, TX: The first issue of the NATA (North American Telugu Association) Newsletter was released at the Houston NATA Awareness meeting held in the Mayuri restaurent by Rathna Kumar, an internationally renowned Indian classic dancer, teacher and choreographer, and the Founder-Director of the ANJALI Center for Performing Arts in Houston. The NATA Newsletter 'Naata-Maata', edited by Dr. Samba Reddy, is a bimonthly publication of news, reports, events and related information showcasing the NATA's service to the Telugu community in America. It is now available online.

The NATA Houston meeting was organized by President AVN Reddy and the local team comprising of Jithender Reddy (Convener), Dr. Samba Reddy (Media Chair), Harinath Medi (Co-convener), Dr. Janardhana Reddy Vinta (Coordinator), Chitten Raju (Board of Director), Manohar Medi (Regional vice-president), Dr. Ram Reddy (Telugu Library chair) and Regional coordinators Sanjeeva Reddy, Raghavender Nednur, Siva Konduri and Rajender Aparasu, who are promoting charitable activities in the Houston greater metropolitan area. The meeting was attended by over 100 members from the Houston and nearby towns, including several notable persons from medical, business, and cultural arts sectors.

'NATA is spearheading to do quite a few community service activities here in the US and back home in India', said AVN Reddy in his welcome address. In his presidential remarks, AVN Reddy announced the formation of NATA and responded to questions on why we need another Telugu organization. 'We have close to 400,000 Telugus in USA and 80 million back home; every organization including ours will have plenty of opportunities to serve Telugus here and back home', he said.'We are fortunate to have hundreds of volunteers who are eager and willing to offer their services to serve the community, and NATA is providing a platform to fulfill these volunteers' wishes', said AVN Reddy.

In the inaugural address, AVN Reddy emphasized that NATA is a 'Different by Design' organization that strives to be service oriented, nonpolitical, and function in a fair and transparent fashion.

In his media presentation, he illustrated NATA's main objectives and purposes, membership categories, organizational structure, office bearers, and current and future charitable activities. 'NATA is providing assistance to students, helping families affected by accidents or tragic deaths, supporting needy patients for specialty treatments, and making plans for SEVA DAYS in AP to provide services like health camps, eye camps, vaccination drives and promote local arts', said AVN Reddy. NATA is seeking sponsors to provide basic facilities in villages like safe drinking water facilities, building primary schools, homes for poor and new roads.

In their message in the Newsletter, advisory council members Drs. Prem Reddy and Malla Reddy, MS Reddy, Mohan Mallam and Arjun Reddy appreciated teams that are working hard in developing NATA as one of the premier associations of the Telugu community in the US.

AVN Reddy has narrated NATA's recent help to students affected by the Tri-Valley incident including setting up of 'student fund' for legal aid. He said that NATA members have sponsored five safe drinking water facilities. Dr. Prem Reddy has under taken a charitable project in his village in the Nelloor district to build roads, schools and homes for poor. The first phase of this project, a $500,000 budget is being funded through NATA, said AVN Reddy.

Rathna Kumar, a recipient of India's prestigious Sangeet Natak Academy 2010 award, was felicitated by NATA officials for her outstanding contribution to two major styles of Indian classical dance, Bharata Natyam and Kuchipudi. The entire audience in the banquet hall honored her with a standing ovation in recognition of her continued services to Indian Arts.She appreciated NATA's effort promoting Telugu culture and dances in America, and vowed to be part of the NATA national cultural team.

Chitten Raju Vanguri (Board of Director & renowned Telugu poet) welcomed the guests and suggested members to do more cultural activities and strove to preserve the Telugu language and historical places. He lauded the extraordinary services of Rathna Kumar in teaching Indian classic dance to thousands of young children in America.

As part of its mission to promote Telugu heritage, NATA is working to host the biannual convention, said Convener Jithender Reddy. The NATA Convention is set to be held at George Brown Convention Center in Houston, Texas, from June 29 to July 1, 2012. The NATA convention is envisaged as one of the world's largest Telugu cultural meetings. Dr. Vinta Janardhana Reddy (Coordinator) and Harinath Medi (Co-convener) are making plans to enrich the meeting with beautiful cultural programs and delicious food with a southern twist. 'Everyone attending this convention will be treated as our personal guest' said Jithender Reddy.

In his brief address, Dr. Samba Reddy (Media chair) said that motivation is important for enjoyable team service with high performance and innovation, and explained the need for motivating the young people. He stated that there are thousands of young talented Telugus in the US and suggested to untap the potential of these people for NATA services.He requested members to circulate the NATA newsletter, which is available online: http://nataus.org/images/NATA-Newsletter-March-2011.pdf

Sarada Akunuri, President of Telugu Cultural Association (TCA), has invited everyone to participate in the NATA-sponsored Ugadi celebrations on April 23rd and witness the rich Telugu talent in Houston. She thanked the NATA team for supporting local cultural programs and has become a member of NATA. Local media and business leaders Krishna Giri (Indo-American News), Prasad Kalva (Andhra Radio Mirchi), Sridhar Dadi (Radio Hungama), Dayakar Reddy (Mayuri restaurant), and Achyuth Pavirala (Abhiruchi restaurant) have expressed full support in promoting NATA events. The meeting guests were delighted with melodious vocal tunes of prominent Telugu singers, Manikyamba Shastri, Rajarajeshwari Kalaga, and Sarada Akunuri.

Harinath Medi (Regional Vice-president) has thanked all attendees for making this meeting a grand success despite busy weekend schedule, especially such a great India victory winning the Cricket World Cup.