17 April 2019
USA

Chicago Telugu Association Celebrates Ugadi and Special Awards to Eminent Telugu Personalities in USA.

Highlights: Cutlural Programs, Ugadi Special Seva Awards, Gandhi-King Scholarships

Chicago Telugu Association (CTA) celebrated Ugadi and Sri Ramanavami vedukalu in grand way at Balaji Temple Auditorium in Chicago, USA. More than 600 people attended the event. CTA also announced the Gandhi-King Scholarship Award Recipient for 2019. CTA Director Mrs. Sujana Achanta welcomed the audience and outlined the CTA’s path in serving Telegu language and service and various initiatives taken up by CTA this year.

Celebrations included several cultural programs like Panchanga Sravanam, classical Kuchipudi, Bharatnatyam, Classical music, Ugadi pacchadi competitions, Telugu elocution and felicitation of eminent Telugu personalities in USA with Ugadi Vishista Seva Puraskaralu. At this event CTA also presented Gandhi-King Scholarships for the year 2019.

Noted Eduator and President of Chicago State University Ms. Z Scott was Chief Guest for the evening. Speaking on the occasion Ms. Scott outlined the contribution of two great leader Mahatma Gandhi and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and how we all get in spired by their teachings and outlined her vision for university and also bringing Indian and African American communities together who shared common history of struggle. President Scott commended the efforts of Chicago Telugu Association for helping and motivating students with these scholarships and handed over the Gandh-Kings awards to the winners.

Celebrations started with Ganapathi prayer song by Swetha Jujuri. Sever cultural programs were performed by 150 kids of different ages. Bharat Natyam programs Lingastakam, Mahadevasutam, Ananda Narthana Ganapathi, Brahma Murari and Kuchipudi programs Ramayana Shabdam, Paluke Bangaramaye, and Omparasakthi were performed. Other cultural programs included were Kolatam, Fusion Music, Govinda Govindaya Ani were played and Telugu movie melodies.

Gandhi-King Dream Scholarships for Telugu Students
Telugu students Manaswi Thume (Academic Excellence), Rishitha Vajjala, Spandan Ramineni and Ms. Bhaskarachari were given Gandhi-King Dream Scholarship excellency award for this year. CTA Team congratulated the winners and handed over scholarship certificates.

Special Service Awards (UGADI Vishishta Seva Puraskaralu)
First time in the United States, Chicago Telugu Association giving Special Service Awards to eminent telugu personalities from various fields. For this year CTA has chosen, Sri. Subhadrachryulu Srinivasula (Hindu Dharma/Culture), Dr. Sarada Purna Sonty (Telugu Literature) and Sri Azad Sunkavalli (Community Service).

Sri Subhadra Charyulu has been Sri Srinivasa Seva at Balaji Temple at Chicago for 25 years and his selfless services was recognized. Ms. Sarada Purna Sonty is an outstanding Telugu scholar, academician and cultural icon for Telugu Community in USA and CTA honored her with Special Service Award for the year 2019 under Telugu Literature. Mr. Azad Sunkavalli noted community leader from Chicago who has spent 35 years in community service at various organizations and events, is awarded Special Service Award under Community Service Category. CTA Board of Director, Mr. Rao Achanta read the Sanmana Patram outlining the services.
All awardees were felicitated by CTA Founders Ravi Achanta, Praveen Moturu, President Nagendra Vege, Board Members Rao Achanta, Seshu Uppalapati, Chundu Srinivas, Ashok Pagadala, Srini Yeramati, Venkata Gyajangi, Rahul Viratapu, Rani Vege, Sujana Achanta, Anitha Goli, Businessman Mr. Ramesh Thumu, Temple Trustees Mr. M. Rao, Mr. Harinath Koneru, ATA Founder Mr. Hanumath Reddy and Mr. Tata Prakasam. All awardees with presented with floral garlands, shawl, Pattu Vastram and Memonto. Several prominent telugu from Chicago graced the event.

Program is coordinated by CTA Cultural Team members, Sujana, Rani Vege, Anitha Goli, Anusha Vidapalapati, Bhavani Sarasvati, Ratna Choda, Tanuja Sajja, Sudha Kunchanpalli, Subhadra Balla, Suresh Badam and volunteer team members Bhushan Bheemisetty, Hareesh Jannu, Adil, Naveen Lagudu, Naveen Garaga, Vinay Chennupati, Bala Choda, Naren Sunkara, Murali Kalagara and others.

CTA President Nagendra Vege and Team thanked all the volunteers for their support in making this event grand success.