Telugus living in USA for six decades going strong

Hyderabad, December 27: Telugu community, which is one of the largest Indian groups in the United States of America is going great strides. Telugus have been living in USA for over sixty years.

They have contributed their best for the growth of American economy as well as Indian economy. Telugus living in America made Andhra Pradesh and India proud. There are many NRIs from Andhra Pradesh who made it big in USA.

Today Telugu-speaking community in USA is the highest paid job-holders in America. For most Telugus, USA has become their homeland informed Sanjeeva T. Reddy, President of North American Telugu Association (NATA), addressing a Press Conference organised to give concluding brief on the 15-days of NATA SEVA DAYS here in city on Friday at Hotel Taj Krishna.

There used be just 30,000 Telugus in USA in 1970. Now nearly two million Telugu Diaspora live in USA, most of them comprising of students, scientists, IT Professionals and Doctors.

Increase in population of Telugus over the last three decades has been quite high. In particular there has been phenomenal growth in the Telugu population in the last two or three years. It is estimated that there are about 15 to 20 percent of Telugus among the total Indian Immigrants in USA.

So also problems and challenges have also increased for Telugus. The Telugus though divided on various issues, working under various banners are always united, especially when there is a crisis.

NATA is a non-profit cultural organization serving the Telugu Community in the USA and Canada, it involves in promoting community services, cultural and social activities, student assistance and preservation and promotion of Telugu language and heritage in the United States and across the globe.

NATA is not a breakaways group from any other organization. It is a new organization started in 2010 with just 50 members, now has 8000 members, informed Sanjeeva T. Reddy.

NATA kicked off 15 Day Seva Programmes on December 16th which will conclude with grand gala closing function and service activities on 29th December with a Cultural Evening and Presentation of Life Time Achievement Award to Dr. Kasu Prasad Reddy of Maxi Vision Group and NATA Excellency Award to Mr. Sekhar Kammula, Telugu Film Director at Ravindra Bharathi, Hyderabad.

NATA though just three years old kick started a unique program of NATA Seva Days of various service activities taken up at the cost of Rs 4 Crore which is nearing completion.

During this fortnight various service projects have been taken up including Scholarships to Toppers in Second year Intermediate from Government Junior colleges (five from each district) totaling to 117 scholarships worth Rs 11.5 lakh, 16 Safe Drinking Water Projects, 6 Clean and Green Graveyard Projects.

Spread across various parts of the State of Andhra Pradesh service activities of NATA SEVA DAys include Health Camps, Pediatric Eye Camps and others.

Each student will be given away Rs 10,000 scholarship through the hands of Karnataka Lokayukta Justice Y. Bhaskar Rao at NATA Seva Days Celebrations. Though we are trying to award five from each district but there is a tie on 2 students in West Godavari and Praksham districts, hence number has gone up to 117, informed Mr. Ramasurya Reddy, Secretary of NATA. NATA Overseas Coordinator Dr. Dwarakanath Reddy put in their persistent efforts to collect data from Government.

NATA also has taken up Safe Drinking Water Projects in Districts of Nellore, Nalgonda, Kadapa. These are sponsored by Dr. Prem Reddy, Mohan Talamati, Dr. Sanjeeva Reddy, Dr. Harinatha Policherla, Dr. Adisesha Reddy, Suresh Reddy, Mohan Kaladi, Dr. Pailla Malla Reddy.

Six projects of Clean & Green Graveyard are taken up in Nellore District. Sponsors of these projects include Dr. Pailla Malla Reddy, Dr. Prem Reddy, Mohan Talamati. Dr. Prem Sagar Reddy and Dr. Pailla Malla Reddy are in fact the founding members and are two important pillars of NATA, said Sanjeeva T. Reddy, NATA President.

Another highlight of the SEVA DAYS is Pediatric Eye Camps which are conducted in large numbers and few lakh children got screend. We have identified during this screening that nearly 300 kids need Eye Surgeries which will do in next three months. We have issued spectacles to the needy then and there.

During their journey to various parts of the state during NTA SEVA DAYS there have been many requests for school benches and drinking water plants, which NATA will take up in future.

Futher to promote Telugu and Literature NATA is also organizing a Short Stories and Poetry Competition in Telugu. The winners will be given away Prizes at a function to be held in Ravindra Bharathi on 29th December.

Adding further it is informed that 2nd NATA Convention will be held in 2014 from July 4 to 6th at Atalanta City in USA. We have already formed 45 committees, informed Sanjeeva Reddy.

NATA is also launching Hyderabad Chapter of prestigious TEA(Telugu Entrepreneurs Association). In this connection a meeting is also being organised on 29th December in City. This international level business seminar of highly successful entrepreneurs from USA helps to promote one on one mentorship programs.