UGADI proclamation issued by Georgia Governor Brain P. Kemp
April 12, 2021 recognized as Telugu language and Heritage Day in Georgia

By Uma Banda

Atlanta, GA: Brain P. Kemp, Governor of the state of Georgia issued a proclamation recognizing UGADI, April 12, 2021 as Telugu language and Heritage Day in Georgia.
April 12, 2021 marks the beginning of New Year (UGADI) of Telugu language speaking community across the world following the Lunar calendar.

Ugadi has been an important and historic festival of the Telugu community worldwide. Telugu community celebrate the Ugadi festival with great fanfare; gatherings of the extended families and a community sumptuous feast.
Ravi Ponangi, a well-known journalist and community leader along with others had come up with the idea of initiating a formal request to Georgia Governor to call UGADI day, April 12, 2021 as Telugu language and Heritage Day.

The proclamation signed by Georgia Governor Kemp states “Telugu is one of the longest surviving classical languages and Telugu has rich literature. The Telugu community of Georgia is educating future generations in their language through various organizations and events; and April 12, 2021, marks the beginning of new year of Telugu people across the world following the lunar calendar. The Georgia Telugu-speaking community plays a pivotal role in keeping the Indian heritage and culture intact, as well as in enriching Georgia's cultural diversity. The Georgia Telugu-speaking community has been contributing to the state in the fields of medical and engineering research, politics, legal, language, culture, and tradition, along with economic welfare; and The Georgia Telugu community celebrate their rich culture and heritage throughout Telugu Language and Heritage Month with various literacy programs such as Telugu language reading, singing, writing, poetry, and speech competitions”. According to US census and statistics, Telugu community, is one of the most diverse and fastest growing groups in the US.

There are over 500 Telugu speaking people in the academic/training profession right from elementary schools to universities. In fact, Emory University has a Chair of Excellence in Telugu studies, established with a donation of over 1 Million dollars from Telugu people of Georgia. The rise of Telugu was connected to the links forged between the two Telugu speaking states of Telangana (Hyderabad), Andhra states and the Georgia engineering and technology industries. Armed with the knowledge of Telugu Studies gained at Emory, these students and professors will be able to more effectively conduct research as professionals in Andhra Pradesh. Emory University is a major U.S. destination for the study of Telugu language, history, literature and cultures, and the endowed professorship builds on that focus.

Brain P. Kemp, peoples Governor of the state of Georgia while presenting the proclamation signed by him commended the Telugu community in Georgia for enriching the diverse culture of Georgia. The presentation of the Ugadi proclamation was held at North stairs of Georgia Capital in the afternoon in the presence of community leaders and representatives from various organizations of Telugu community.

U.S. President Biden and First Lady Jill Biden also conveyed their wishes to Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders a happy, healthy and prosperous Lunar New Year. They said "racism, harassment, hate crimes" against this group of people is "simply wrong" and called for unity in the country.
Georgia’s senior Republican and commissioner of Georgians first commission, Rick Desai expressed his joy in attending the celebration of the proclamation at Georgia capital and said “This is truly exciting. We are one community! Let's celebrate and share our unity and appreciate all our differences. Thank you for all that you do to maintain and preserve our culture”. Many dignitaries and individuals who are holding highest offices expressed their happiness on getting recognition to Telugu language and Heritage in a foreign land and said they are proud to know of this good news on ‘Pavamana Ugadi’ day.

On receiving the proclamation from governor, Ravi R Ponangi, a journalist friend of the community and longtime resident of Georgia said, “Since 1980s Atlanta witnessed many Telugu literary feasts like Ashtavadhanams, Rajitaavadanams, Trigalaavadhanam, poetry presentations etc., This proclamation is a memorable tribute to those literary luminaries like Pemmaraju Venugopala Rao, Veluri Venkateswara Rao, Dr. BK Mohan, Drs. Ravi and Seshu Sarma, Phani Dokka, Suresh Kolichala, Bala Indurti, Professors Joyce B. Flueckiger, Velcheru Narayana Rao and many more who contributed and laid foundation for the furtherance of the Telugu language and culture in a foreign land particularly in Atlanta, Georgia, USA”.