ATA Convention draws record-breaking crowds

CHICAGO, IL — The ATA Convention hosted by American Telugu Association (ATA) was marked by breathtaking spectacle drawing record-breaking attendance.

The vibrant Telugu fervor was evident at the silver jubilee festivities held on a grand mega scale showcasing the rich Telugu cultural heritage and its burgeoning Telugu constituency in America at the 3-day ATA Convention held during July 1-3 at the Rosemont Convention Center in Rosemont, IL.

The Rosemont city wore a colorful Telugu look as an unprecedented number –10,000–of attendees thronged the convention center to experience ostentatious showcasing of the rich Telugu culture through music, dance, pageantry surpassed only by dazzling fashion shows, contemporary cinematic music and colorful epic dance presentations eclipsed by celebrities, large contingent of political leaders, Telugu icons and eminent personalities overwhelmed only by the presence of Tollywood movie stars.

Convener Chandrasekhar Reddy Palvai praised the unwavering dedication and hard work of the entire ATA Chairs & co-Chairs that truly brought such phenomenal results. Convention director K.K. Reddy characterized it as a magnificent journey of 25 years culminated in such an extraordinary convention and added this as a symbol of triumph of the towering Telugu spirit.

ATA president Sudhakar Perkari lauded the remarkable ATA team work that brought about this splendid outcome. ATA founder/president Hanumanth Reddy expressed the gleeful joy at the presence of such huge masses of Telugu people under one roof.
Convention co-convener Krishna Mushyam saluted the rallying spirit of Telugu fellowship in such magnitude.

The convention was set in motion with a grand gala banquet on July 1 with Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner and Indian Union Minister Venkaiah Naidu inaugurating the 3-day celebrations paying rich accolades to the Telugu culture in their remarks as ecstatic gala attendees rendered prolonged applause.

Governor Bruce Rauner issued a proclamation declaring July 2 and 3 as American Telugu Association Day in the state of Illinois. Governor Rauner commended the Telugu community for keeping up the great cultural heritage and added if he gets an opportunity he would love to visit India.

Venkaiah Naidu, Union Minister for Parliamentary Affairs, inspired the families to stay rooted in Telugu culture while appreciating the other languages and cultures. He stressed on the ripe climate in India ideal for global investments.

Dinkar Karumuri exhaustively introduced Governor Rauner and described him as an outstanding champion of the Indian American community and added his presence at ATA gala is a shining testimony of his steadfast goodwill to the Telugu community.

With the invocation dance, the gala banquet in its splendor showcased the outstanding success stories of Telugu people in the United States who were applauded for their valuable contribution to the societies both in India and America.

 

Some of the prominent attendees include Ambassador Dr. Ausaf Sayeed, Consul General of India, Democratic Nominee for U.S.Congress Raja Krishnamoorthi, and Prominent MP Kavitha Kalvakuntla, Deputy Telangana Chief Minister Kadiam Srihari, Cook County Commissioner Tim Schneider, GMR Chairman Grandhi Mallikarjuna Rao ATA Benefactors Dr. Prem Reddy and Dr. Paila Malla Reddy.

Also present were a large contingent of MPs and MLAs from A.P and Telangana represented by all political parties including TRS, YSRCP, TDP and Congress. Other prominent leaders from the USA included Maryland Delegate Aruna Miller, Ambassador Vinai Thummalapally, ex-Nasscom chair BV Mohan Reddy.