“First APNA Day” a grand success
Raises 100K for community
service
Atlanta, Georgia: “The First APNA Day” got off to a flying start
at 3PM on 1st December 2007 at the Ashiana Restaurant at Global
Mall, Atlanta, Georgia. In a glittering ceremony, hosted by TAMA
and attended by 600 invited guests, the noble ideals of the new
organization took its first step forward with the enthusiastic
support from a number of community supporters and participants.
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| SP Bala Subrahmanyam
inaugurating first APNA day |
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Several of them pledged their commitment and support for the
cause of providing medical care to the less privileged sections
of society in Andhra Pradesh, as envisaged by APNA Foundation.
The main thrust of APNA will be in various areas by improving
the provision of water, food, health, shelter and awarding
scholarships. Responding to an appeal by Dr. Adisesha Reddy and
Mr. Bala Indurti, Executive director of APNA the guests pledged
their donations to the noble causes of APNA. There were several
guests who came forward with large donations. They included Dr.
Sadasva Reddy ($11,000), Dr. Premsagar Reddy ($10,000), Mr.
Chowdhary Yalamanchili ($10,000), Dr. Adisesha Reddy ($10,000),
Dr. Renuka Reddy ($10,000), Dr. Gandhi Yalamanchili ($10,000)
and many others. It was very gratifying to note that the total
exceeded $100,000. The donation by Mr. Srinivas Lavu on behalf
NTR Trust was greeted with loud cheers.
Mr. Artur Davis, US Congressman from Alabama was the keynote
speaker at “The First APNA Day”. In his keynote address, Mr.
Davis strongly endorsed the aims of APNA. The Congressman
stressed the importance of individual effort in poverty
alleviation programs in India as well as in USA. Sri
Balasubramanyam, the cynosure of all eyes, addressed the
gathering with several significant observations. Stressing the
importance of the ideals set forth by APNA, he exhorted the
audience to not only contribute financially to this noble effort
but also make sure that the hard-earned money reaches the needy
people of AP. He commended the talent of local performers and
wound up his speech by a melodious song that depicted his
humility as a devotee of fine arts. He received a standing
ovation.
The presence of Sri S.P. Balasubramanyam as the Chief Guest of
the evening lent a special aura and importance to the event. Sri
Balasubramanyam lit the ceremonial lamp to inaugurate the
function along with other dignitaries. The Chief Guest Sri S.P.
Balasubramanyam and the Keynote speaker Mr. Artur Davis, the US
Congressman from Alabama were honored by APNA. Mr. Artur Davis
was presented with a plaque by Sri Balasubramanyam. Mr. Davis
formally felicitated Sri Balasubramanyam. Dr. Adisesha Reddy
thanked the office-bearers of TAMA for their unstinted support
and co-operation in hosting APNA Day in such a grand style.
APNA honored Dr. Haranath Policharla, Dr. Jagan Ailinani, Dr.
Prabha Kamath, Dr. P.V. Rao, Mr. Ravi R. Ponangi, Atlanta based
journalist and executive members of
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Ravi
Ponangi receiving media recognition
plaque from SP bala Subrahmanyam |
TAMA. All the participants
in the cultural events of the day and everyone else who
contributed to the success of the program received medals from
Sri Bala subrahmanyam. The commendable job done by Siri
Yellamraju, Sheila Vedala, Lakshmi Vedala, Smitha Yellamraju,
Anita Bhagavathula, Namrata Sathuluru, Durga Yerramilli, Ramesh
Duvvuri, Pushyami Lanka, Venkat and Radha Chennubhotla as MCs,
Mr. Pramod Sangawar and Mr. Ram Durvasula in managing the audio
system, Mr. Venu Polisetty for video systems, as well as all the
volunteers, registration and the reception, transportation and
media co-ordination committees was recognized and gratefully
acknowledged.
Dr. Jagan Ailinani made a Power Point presentation on
“Adopt-a-village” and strongly outlined the importance of making
efforts to spread health and awareness amongst the poor
villagers of AP. Dr. Prabha Kamath also made a presentation on
‘Coping with Success’. The general impression gathered from the
audience was that the entire program was a grand success.
Cultural programs were conducted with verve and appropriate
commentary by a competent team of presenters and MCs led by Ram
Durvasula. A brief presentation was devised by Mr. Syam
Yellamraju recognizing the past 25 Presidents of TAMA.
Attractive sitar recital by Dr. Kodavatiganti Rohiniprasad and
ably accompanied on the Tabla by Anjaneya Sastry was received
appreciation by the audience as well as by the chief guest.
Earlier, the function began with a cheerful hour of socializing,
with the guests enjoying the appetizers and exchanging
pleasantries.
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| SP Bala Subrahmanyam
felicitating Congressman |
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To a question, Mr. Artur Davis told India Tribune that he will
be joining Congressional caucus on India soon. He also told that
he was glad to be able to meet a dynamic community of USA at
“First APNA Day”. Relationship between America and India is
vital in the present world scenario and a lot can be done
together for the betterment of the world.
S.P. Balasubrahmanyam, chief guest at “First APNA day” also
visited the newly built Sri Swaminarayan temple at Lilburn. Mr.
Mitesh Patel and others received the visiting guest and taken
them on a tour of the temple and explained the architectural
beauty of temple in detail. Earlier, swamis of BAPS performed
rituals blessing the visiting dignitaries. S.P. Bala
Subrahmanyam told India Tribune that the architecture of Sri
Swaminarayan temple is amazing and it represents the true
essence of India’s rich heritage.
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