Telugu Association of North America(TANA) carried a day long mega activity, Chaitanya Bharathy-2008 in Hyderabad on Saturday, 27 Dec 2008, in a grand way. As a continuation to the public appreciated Program in Dec 2006, TANA, this year too designed its program involving poets, scholars, politicians, film artistes etc and received overwhelming response from everyone.

Sports competitions

TANA organized sports competitions for physically, mentally challenged children at NTR Stadium, Hyderabad on Saturday, 27 Dec 2008. Popular Film actor, Praja Rajyam Party Youth wing Chief, Mr. Pavan Kalyan, who came as Chief Guest, inaugurated the Sports Meet and congratulated the children participating enthusiastically and appreciated TANA for designing this program. Mr Jayaram Komati, Interim President, TANA explained briefly the objective of TANA in conducting the event and thanked every one who participated. Mr Prasad Thotakura, Secretary, TANA and Mr Damu Gedala, Coordinator, India Activities, TANA also spoke. The sports activities were continued in the NTR stadium, which wore a festive look with flags, balloons etc till noon and over 500 children in 16 teams and 50 coaches participated.

Promoting Telugu Language

It may be recalled that TANA organized a Procession and conducted a Meeting in Dee 2006, demanding Official language status to Telugu language. As Govt of India recently declared Official Ancient language status to Telugu language also, TANA takes pride to be part of the agitation which ended successfully. Continuing on its efforts, TANA organized a Program at Ravindra Bharathy at 10.30am on Saturday,27 Dec 2008 titled ‘Telugu Language attaining Official Language status- Success & Responsibility’. Sri Mandali Budda Prasad, Hon’ble Minister for Poultry & Animal Husbandry, who came as Chief Guest for the the program, has explained on how telugu community won outside and on how to win inside, quoting ‘Rachcha Gelicchaam—ika Inta Gelavaali’ a popular telugu proverb.

He also said that it is not only the responsibility of Govt or the Universities but also of every Telugu person to ensure that language is preserved and promoted. Dr C. Nararayana Reddy, Gnanpeeth Peet Awardee, who came to inaugurate the program, explained on how present media, especially TV, is degenerating the language. He emphasized the need for usage of telugu in all places including correspondence in Govt proceedings. Dr Avula Manjulatha, former V C, Telugu University, Dr Bhoomayya, V C, Telugu University, Sri Jonnavithula, Poet, Writer and Cine Director, Sri Andhesri, Folk writer, Sri Dharma Rao, President, Telegu Ianguage federation spoke on various aspects of the language and emphasized the responsibilities of the community. Sri Jayaram Komati, Interim President, TANA has reminded the role played by TANA in getting the recognition to Telugu language and informed that TANA would put its best efforts for preserving and promoting Telugu language in future also. Sri Prasad Thotakura, Secretary, TANA, Sri Damu Gedala, Coordinator-India activities, TANA also spoke. After this interesting and intellectual discussions, Cultural programs ‘Telugu Vaibhavam’ a 35 mts dance ballet, and ‘ Allasani Peddanna’ another dance ballet were performed.

TANA Awards

TANA presented its popular awards in Ravindra Bharathy, during the program on 27 Dec 2008. Sri Gidugu Rama Murthy Award for Telugu language promotion was presented through Sri Mandali Budda Prasad, Hon’ble Minister to Sri Dharma Rao, President, Telugu language Federation. Through not presented physically, the second award in the same category was announced to Mr Ramesh, popular Writer. In the evening, Sri K R Suresh Reddy, Hon’ble Speaker, AP Legislative

Assembly presented the TANA – Manapragada Narasimha Murthy Award to Sri Sattayya, Folk singer.

Cultural & Evening Program

TANA Organised a grand, thought provoking Cultural program with performances by challenged children from 3.30pm to 7.30pm after which the concluding program was conducted. Several children who are physically, mentally and visually challenged have come from various parts of AP and performed dancing, singing items displaying their talent. Each team is unique in presenting a different item that enthralled the audience. Sri K R Suresh, Hon’ble Speaker, AP Legislative Assembly, who came as Chief Guest, congratulated the children for their wonderful performance and appreciated the efforts of TANA for identifying and presenting them. Sri Murali Mohan, Film artiste said that the skill and the ease in the stunning performances of the challenged children have challenged the normal human beings, and appreciated TANA for conducting such a novel, innovative yet the same time the socially relevant program giving opportunity to challenged children.

Sri Jayaram Komati, Interim President, TANA has informed the TANA objectives in carrying out community programs in AP and bi annual programs in December will bring TANA closer to the community in Andhra Pradesh. He also informed that TANA would plan and bring at least one team of the Challenged children to USA so that they can exhibit their talent in TANA Conference to be held in Chicago in July 2009. Sri Prasad Thotakura, Sri Damu Gedala from TANA, Film artistes, Mr Nutan Prasad, Sri Kota Srinivasa Rao, Sri Rallapalli, Sri Gundu Hanumantha Rao, and Sri C K Naidu, IPS, and also spoke. Sri Navaneetha Krishna, Sri Nadella Gangadhar, Sri Satish Vemana, Sri Vasudeva Reddy, Ms Durga Parachuri are also present in the the day long program that successfully ended.