ATA Raises 400K for 2014 Conference in DC

Washington DC: American Telugu Association (ATA) celebrated its 2014 Conference Kick-off gala with a record breaking fundraising event on Saturday October 19th, 2013 in Washington DC Metro area. Over $400K was raised in a single event, which was aptly opened with a prayer, followed by a welcome from 2014 Conference Coordinator Bhuvanesh Boojala and ATA President Karunakar Madhavaram. All funds for this all-time record-breaking event were raised from ATA well-wishers from Washington, DC area alone.

The event was filled with over 500 ATA families, friends and supporters, who were entertained by energizing performances, exciting minute by minute fundraising updates by ATA DC Team followed by a delicious banquet dinner. Raghu and Rishi captivated the audience with their fluid dance moves and performances by singers Anjana Soumya, Rela Re Rela Ravi and Vamshi Priya enthralled everyone with their scintillating performance.

Bhuvanesh Boojala, Coordinator introduced the Conference Fundraising team, Ram Mattapally, Jay Challa, Goutham Amarneni, Ravi Puli and Poorna Dokku who worked hard to exceed everyone expectations. Karunakar Madhavaram, ATA President introduced the Board of Trustees and personally invited everyone in the audience to attend the 13th ATA Conference on July 3-5, 2014 in Philadelphia and encouraged them to register at the event. Convener Parmesh Bheemreddy introduced ATA-2014 Conference Team to the audience who are working diligently to the success of the conference.

ATA Trustees from DC Metro Area Rajesh Madireddy, Soumya Kondapally, Janetha Kancharla, Adhoc committee member Rammohan Konda thanked all the generous donors who came forward to support for the success of the upcoming conference. Other ATA leaders Lokesh Reddy, Manohar Enugu, Jay Annam, Vishu Kalavala, Vishnu Madavaram and others who worked very hard to make it a grand success. DC Area regional coordinators Venkat Kondapolu, Ravi Bojja, Sridhar Banala made the arrangements in a grand scale for the evening with the support from ATA leadership team. Everyone had a memorable evening and touched by the DC Team's hospitality.

On Saturday October 19th morning, ATA held its third annual Board meeting at Sheraton Hotel in Herndon, VA. In addition to the ATA trustees, Regional Coordinators, Standing Committee Chairs, and Advisors, many supporters from across the country including prominent Telugu personalities from the North East attended the board meeting. More than 300 ATA supporters attended the meeting from across the USA to discuss and plan for the community service activities for the upcoming ATA Charity/Vedukalu Programs in India and plan for 13th ATA Conference. Board meeting started with a prayer by Trustee Soumya Kondapalli and welcome by Ananth Reddy Pajjur, Secretary. ATA Board of Trustees discussed on various matters, which includes on upcoming 13th ATA conference in Philadelphia, PA, ATA charitable programs in Andhra Pradesh and many other important issues including future conference sites.

President Karunakar R. Madhavaram explained to the board on various activities that were undertaken in this year highlighting how ATA is focused on service to Telugu community. President Madhavaram also reported to the Board on the plan and budget for upcoming ATA charity programs in India, which are planned during the December time frame. Speaking on planning for ATA programs in India, President Karunakar explained how this year ATA Vedukalu will be focusing on Seva (charity) services besides promoting Telugu culture and heritage. ATA Board agreed to hold this year ATA charity programs in India from 1st Dec to 7th Dec time period.

This year the highlights of the ATA programs in India will be 5K run in Hyderabad to promote awareness on cancer and heart diseases in women, traffic safety, pollution control, domestic violence. Over 5000 people are expected to take part in the 5K walk, and besides 5K walk ATA is also organizing Medical/Health camps, Women's forums, Educational & Agricultural seminars. The program grand finale will be held on 7th Dec in 'Shilpa Kala Vedika' showcasing Telugu culture, literature and heritage. Narendar Chemarla, ATA Treasurer reported to the Board on the ATA Finances for the last two quarters and requested everyone to come forward to donate in support of ATA charity programs here in US as well as in India. ATA board also unanimously selected Chicago city to host the Silver jubilee conference in 2016 to coincide with ATA's 25 years' continued service to Telugu community.

ATA-2014 Convener Parmesh Bheemreddy and ATA-2014 Coordinator Bhuvanesh Boojala updated the board with the progress of the planning for conference and introduced the various committee chairs/member to the board. Various Committees for ATA-2014 also briefed the board with their plans for the conference and board was very impressed with the enthusiasm and detailed planning of the committees. Pratik Paduru, Chair for ATA-2014 Youth Convention assured that the youth team is taking all measures to make the 13th Conference a memorable & creative one for the youth.

ATA board has appointed Balwanth Kommidi as Conference Director to advise President, Conveyor and Coordinator on fund raising and other conference related activities. While adjourning the meeting, Ananth Pajjur ATA Secretary thanked the Washington DC area ATA team for hosting the 3rd annual board meeting and for providing excellent hospitality for the visiting ATA team. ATA team also thanked the Media partners TV9, TV5 & TV10, other electronic and print media for their continued support for ATA and covering the Washington DC events. On the following day October 20th, Sunday ATA Team attended the Disarray Sambaralu event at Royal Albert Palace from 11 AM to 4 PM. The event was conducted by east coast ATA team with traditional Jammi Pooja, and cultural events in appreciation of donors, ATA supporters and volunteers from NY/NJ area.

ATA (American Telugu Association) is a 25-year old North American established community service focused non-profit organization serving Telugu community. For more details about ATA and its services to Telugu community and for upcoming events, please visit ATA website at http://www.ataworld.org ATA mega event, 13th ATA conference & youth convention will be held in world famous Pennsylvania Convention Center, Philadelphia, PA during July 3-5th, 2014 with over 10000 expected attendees from all over world.