The Parade Grounds at Secunderabad is shortly going to witness what can justifiably called ‘TELUGU CULTURAL OLYMPICS’. SILICONANDHRA, an organization, formed in August 2001 by a group of Telugu immigrants to the USA led by Anand Kuchibhotla, has been organizing various activities promoting Telugu culture, music, dance, drama and literature. With a history of organizing Annamacharya Keerthan Programs simultaneously across many cities and countries all over the world, SILICONANDHRA has embarked on a unique way celebrating the singer-saint this year in collaboration with the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams, the Dept. of Culture, Govt.of AP and Andhra Bank.

On 10th of May this year, SILICONANDHRA in association with TTD and Dept. of Culture is holding a “LAKSHA GALA SANKEERTHANARCHANA”. The venue for this stupendous event will be the Secunderabad Parade Grounds. Imagine 100,000 voices coming together singing with their hearts the glory of Lord Venkateswara as sung by the saint composer Tallapaka Annamayya . It is, undoubtedly, the event of a lifetime for many.

Divine Inspiration, they say, comes only to the chosen few but when it comes, it changes not just the life of an individual but of eons to come. One such who has inspired myriads and breathed bhakthi into their very essence is the great singer-saint, Annamacharya. Weaned away from the transient pleasures of the body to the one of permanence, Annamacharya has dedicated every minute of his life to the service of Lord Venkateswara. The result, the Telugus have found a melodious path to divinity.

Today, we hear the world waking to the lilting music of Anamayya. It is, in fact, an awakening of our souls to the omnipresence of God. Many have found a new meaning in their lives and a sense of direction as a consequence. Anammacharya keerthans are heard from the mellifluous voices of the likes of Subbulakshmi, Nedunuri Krishna Murthy, Balamurali Krishna, Balakrishna Prasad et al to the jarring tones of the bathroom singer. Age, Caste and other factors are erased in this Universal path to God.

It is an opportunity of a life-time for many as a team from the Guinness Book of World Records will be present to witness the event and authenticate it as a world record. Enthusiasts can get further details on www.siliconandhra.org and enroll themselves on payment of a Registration Fee of Rs.100/- into ‘SILICON ANDHRA SB A/c No. 087311100000034 at any branch of Andhra Bank in the twin cities and at selected branches all over India. Out station participants can avail Railway Concession.

For further details, please contact: India: Mobile: 99892 95939 / Landline: 040-27171876.
USA: 408-685-7258

It is with greatest pleasure, I report to all of you that we received the lyrics of 150 Annamayya Keertanalu from Sri Medasani Mohan, Director, Annamacharya Project, Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam. The lyrics of 150 keertanas that need to be composed were handed over to me in the Venkateswara Temple of Himayatnagar in Hyderabad. The priest of the temple blessed the script and was handed over to SiliconAndhra in the presence a few Annamachrya Project people. It is a great feeling to hold the script in hand as each kriti mentions the number of the Tamra Patram and the name of the raga. The thought of that those were written by pada kavitha pithamahudu about 550 years ago itself is so overwhelming. Now we have the privilege and responsibility of composing music to these keertanalu and taking them into public to popularize Annamayya padaalu further. Let us all aspire to make the Annamacharya Raga Ragini Project a GRAND Success. Click on below images to view large

As all of you know that Telugu literature is close to all our hearts in SiliconAndhra. Telugu Katha has a great history as well as future. Sri Kalipatnam Rama Rao garu (KARA Mastaaru) is one of the stalwarts of Telugu Katha writers. I am happy to share with all of you that SiliconAndhra is launching a pineering initiative of taking Telugu Katha across the world with no boundaries and creating a place for the Telugu Katha writers on the global map. SiliconAndhra is launching Katha Nilayam (www.kathanilayam.org) in association with the Katha Nilayam Trust of Sri KARA garu.. In the near future, thousands of great Telugu Kathalu would be available on the world wide web through www.kathanilayam.org. Telugu writers would also monetarily benefit through this initative. The prototype of online Kathanilayam.org was launched in the presence of several Telugu luminaries on Friday, April 20, 2007 at 5:30 PM in the Telugu University Auditorium, Hyderabad. Kara mastaaru expressed his IMMENSE happiness at the SiliconAndhra initiative. Dr.Avula manjulatha, Vice Chancelor of Telugu University welcomed the gathering and appreciated the SiliconAndhra activities. Anand Kuchibhotla said that SliconAndhra intends to put a lot of efforts to take Tekugu Katha to all the story lovers around the world through online in a very easy way. He also said SiliconAndhra would like to encourage the readership to buy and read Telugu Kathalu so that Telugu writers would also be benefited. Several linguists, poets, writers, Tekugu drama actors and directors, musicians and many other people attended this Aatmeeya Samavesam jointly hosted by Telugu University and SiliconAndhra. For a glimpse of what is in store for Telugu katha please vist www.kathanilayam.org. Click on below images to view large

It is with greatest pleasure, I report to all of you that we received the lyrics of 150 Annamayya Keertanalu from Sri Medasani Mohan, Director, Annamacharya Project, Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam. The lyrics of 150 keertanas that need to be composed were handed over to me in the Venkateswara Temple of Himayatnagar in Hyderabad. The priest of the temple blessed the script and was handed over to SiliconAndhra in the presence a few Annamachrya Project people. It is a great feeling to hold the script in hand as each kriti mentions the number of the Tamra Patram and the name of the raga. The thought of that those were written by pada kavitha pithamahudu about 550 years ago itself is so overwhelming. Now we have the privilege and responsibility of composing music to these keertanalu and taking them into public to popularize Annamayya padaalu further. Let us all aspire to make the Annamacharya Raga Ragini Project a GRAND Success. Click on below images to view large

మన బడి, సిలికానాంధ్ర కార్యకర్తల సహకారంతొ చాలా చక్కగ ముందుకు సాగుతొంది. మూడు క్వార్టర్స్ లొ (ఒక సంవత్సరం పాటు) తెలుగు తరగతులు వివిధ ప్రాంతాలలొ నిర్వహించాలని నిర్ణయించారు. వల్లి గుండుమల్ల గారి ఇంట్లొ కార్యకర్తలంతా కలసి మన బడి విజయవంతం చేయడానికి కావలసిన ప్రణాలికలు రూపొందించారు. కనీసం ఆరు పట్టణాలలొ పిల్లలకి తెలుగు నేర్పాలని నిశ్చయించారు. తెలుగు నేర్చుకోవడం పిల్లలకి ఉత్సాహంగ ఉండేలా పాఠ్యాంశాలు అనేకమంది సహకారంతొ తయారు చేస్తున్నారు. ఈ కార్యక్రమంలొ మీరు కూడ పాలు పంచుకోండి.

సిలికానాంధ్ర పంపిన మన బడి ఈ-ఉత్తరమునకు వచ్చిన స్పందన అద్భుతం. వివిధ ప్రాంతాల నుండి అనేక మంది వారి పిల్లలను మన బడిలొ చేర్చుటకు ముందుకు వస్తున్నారు. ఇంకా పూర్తి వివరాలు తెలియనప్పటికి అక్షరాభ్యాసంలొ పాల్గొనడానికి ఉత్సాహం చూపుతున్నారు.

సిలికానాంధ్ర ఉగాది ఉత్సవం రోజున సాంప్రదాయబద్ధంగ పలక, బలపములతో తెలుగు అక్షరాలు రాయించడంతొ మన బడి ప్రారంభమవుతుంది. ఆతరువాత నుండి ప్రతి శని, ఆది వారాలలొ ఒక రోజు తెలుగు నేర్పించడం మొదలవుతుంది. శాన్ హోసె, కుపర్టినొ, సన్నివేల్, ఫ్రీమాంట్, డబ్లిన్, మౌంటెన్ హౌస్ ప్రాంతాలలొ ఇప్పటివరకు తెలుగు నేర్పుటకు నిర్ణయించడం అయినది. మరిన్ని వివరాలు త్వరలొ తెలియచేయబడతాయి. మీకు తెలిసిన అందరిని తెలుగు నేర్చుకొనుటకు ప్రోత్సహించండి.!

ఒక సిలికానాంధ్ర అభిమాని స్పందన!

Last year SiliconAndhra initiated construction of a Multipurpose Community Center (A two storied building) in Peda Karagraharam, Krishna District. Peda Karagraharam is a small village of 3000 people at a radial distance of 500 meters from the sea. The main professions are fishing, hunting and farming. The village comprises of three hamlets.

We did Bhumi Pooja Feb 2006 and the construction started in May 2007 after a few procedural approvals. The construction got delayed due to tremendous beaurocracy in getting funds released with out paying any bribes. It is a very uphill task. But our local coordinator, Suryanarayana garu using all the resources at his disposal. As of today, the first floor slab is completed and second floor will be done on Feb 28. During the last year the construction material coasts soared by at least 30%. We have a few challenges ahead of us to complete this project. Please see this blog for updates.

Background

It all started with a phone call to the local MLA, Perni Venkatramayya. After the first conversation, he suggested us to construct the community center at Peda Karagraharam in Bandar Mandalam. The next morning he arranged a trip to visit the village and meet the local panchayati members. On Monday 2/6, early in the morning, true to his word, he came to my house with Nagesh - Asst. Executive Engineer, Mandal Development Officer and with some others. We all went to the village, looked at the location and met the panchayati members in a old dilapidated building. Explained them our intention to build the community center and requested them to complete the formalities of passing resolutions giving us the site to construct etc. Once they were happy, I indicated my intention of starting work on Wednesday 2/8 by doing Bhumi Pooja. People around me paused and looked at me as if I was the new crazy man in the town. Of course I am. Requested Suryanarayana to fix the muhurtam for the Bhoomi Puja. He was also a little bit skeptical.

On our way back, requested the AE to develop the specs and cost estimate. By evening it became clear that we need around Rs. 10 lacs to construct a building of meaningful size and utility. As there is a shortage of funds what SiliconAndhra/TP.com could provide, decided to aproach District collector Navin Mittal and request him a matching grant. While waiting to get hold of the collector, started pulling the necessary crew together to construct the building. The mestri, men and material details have been reviewed and designs were developed in parallel to the AE's efforts.

As the collector was tied up in Grama Sabhalu all day, finally he agreed to meet us at 9:30 PM at his home (Collector Bungalow), not happens that often. I explained him about SiliconAndhra and our activities and the scope of the project. He was happy and rightaway orally agreed for a matching grant of Rs. 4 lacs and asked us to submit a proposal by 9 AM the next morning (Tuesday, 2/7) as he would be travelling for the next few days.

From Collectors Bungalow, drove straight to Asst Executive Engineer's office (he was already working all day to develop the design and specs). Explained him the collector's decision and asked him to develop a brand new design and specs at 10:30 PM (Most of you may know how rare for a Govt employee to work at that time) Nagesh the AE and his team worked until 5 AM and finalized the new specs. A formal request with the tech specs has been submitted to collector by 8:30 AM and he approved before he left the town. You never know what helps.

Took the help of local young friends and made preparations for the Bhoomi Puja at a very hectic pace. Banners, sweets, coconuts, photographer to Maamidi mandalu all details were chalked out for the next day Bhoomi Puja. Made sure all the local protocols are followed to get the Panchayati Sarpanch etc. involved.

All was left was major task of demolishing the old building that was present at the construction site. Requested the MLA to make arrangements to send a Proclain and wanted to get it done before the Muhurtham. He made it happen and there was no trace of the building by 11 AM on Wenesday. As planned, the Bhoomi Puja was done on time at 11:15 AM with the MLA and others participating in a festive environment.

On the occasion of 'Antarjateeya Matru Bhasha Dinotsavam', I am very happy to share with you that SiliconAndhra is embarking upon a major initiative of teaching Telugu to youngsters in a very structured and systematic fashion. It is named as 'SiliconAndhra Mana Badi' and it will be launched on March 24, 2007 during Ugadi Utsavam with a grand "Telugu Aksharaabhyaasam"

The International Mother Language Day is being observed every year by UNESCO around the world to promote linguistic and cultural diversity and multilingualism on February 21. UNESCO feels that all moves to promote the dissemination of mother tongues will serve not only to encourage linguistic diversity and multilingual education but also to develop fuller awareness of linguistic and cultural traditions throughout the world and to inspire solidarity based on understanding, tolerance and dialogue.

As you all know that Telugu language is at the very heart of SiliconAndhra's objectives. It is the most powerful instrument of preserving and developing our tangible and intangible heritage and culture.

SiliconAndhra team is working on preparing Telugu language learning modules in an unprecedented way with the support and guidance from highly reputed Telugu linguists, professors, teachers and institutes like Central Institute of Indian Languages, Mysore. Several proven and advanced learning tools would be used in teaching Telugu in the 'Mana Badi'. 'Mana Badi' will be started in several neighborhoods close to where you live. More details will be shared with you in the very near future. Please mark Saturday March 24, 2007 at 4 PM on your calendars for your kids' Telugu Aksharaabhyaasam'.

It was Superbowl Sunday. I was watching the game with few other friends. Late in the game, I walked to my computer and opened 'Eenadu' internet edition. As a habit I read the news from Hyderabad district also to keep myself posted with the happenings in the capital. One news item 'KaLaaposakulu...Itu Choodaroo!'. It highlighted the plight of an yesteryear's singer Telagareddy Ratna Kumari sleeping on the streets with no food and shelter. As I completed reading it, my inner elements were disturbed and I felt the need to do something to help her. I went back to the game but the article was still ringing a bell in my mind. Then I requested Sri Phani garu and Shanti Vardhan garu to read the same. They read the article and shared the same feelings as mine. In the mean time my feelings to change the plight of Ratna Kumari garu grew stronger. I told Sri Phani garu that we should do something to support her on behalf of SiliconAndhra. He readily agreed.

It was already Monday morning in India. Giving actions to my thoughts, right away, I initiated the first phone call to Dr. J. Chennaiah garu (PRO, Telugu University), a strong supporter of SiliconAndhra. He told me that he saw the same news item and echoed my thoughts to help her in one way or the other. I told him that SiliconAndhra wants to come forward and support her for the rest of her life. He gave me the contact info of Sri Gangadhar, the Eenadu reporter, who wrote the article. I immediately spoke to him and conveyed my intent to support her. He was happy that an NRI organization like SiliconAndhra responded to a news story covered by him. (Eventually Ramoji Rao garu called him to congratulate and expressed his happiness that SiliconAndhra came forward to take care of her). Without wasting anymore time, I then called Mr. Patnaik, Vice President of Global Hospital and requested him to provide the necessary medical help and he readily agreed. I worked the phones for several hours to organize a bunch of things in India to ensure that helped reached Ratna Kumari garu at the earliest.

Monday Evening: Scene moved to Tyagaraya Gana Sabha, Chikkadapally. There were several hundred people, TV Cameras, onlookers and few people, who popped up claiming to be her relatives, gave interviews to TV channels. There was utter chaos all the way. Once media left, everybody left and left her again on the road to her fate. As this circus was unfolding, Gangadhar garu and a few others were standing a little far away from the scene as mere observers. Once everyone left, they jumped into action and she was taken to an Old Age Home accompanied by a good samaritan Sri Janakirama Rao, CMO, SC Rly. She slept for the first time in a secured place in years.

We all thought that was the end of her plight and the start of a new beginning. Unfortunately, it wasn't so. The next morning she was taken to Global Hospital for medical check-up and doctors conducted medical tests. There were no major ailments except severe malnutrition and related issues. But because of years of neglect, she became mentally unstable. Going back to the previous night, she created havoc that disturbed the other inmates in that old age home. As a result, we had to find a new place to host her, starting Tuesday. As it comes to her mental condition - She remembers her past for sometime, behaves normally and then suddenly she loses balance and acts differently. By Tuesday afternoon, she became completely restless and was in a very combative mood. She wanted to run away. The doctors advised the people to not to pressure her too much and leave her alone for some time.

There was an urgent need to find a place that could accommodate her, where she could be looked after and help her in more than one way. After making literally more than one hundred phone calls, a place called 'Sevaasram' was found in Annaram Village, Medak District (Far outskirts of Hyderabad). Lakshmi garu, the caretaker of that place came forward to take her in. It was a Herculean effort to move her from Chikkadapally to Annaram. She was admitted there finally. I spoke to Laksmi garu at length and she assured me to take care of Ratna Kumari garu with personal touch.

After several years on the streets, she has been sleeping on a bed with a roof on top, away from the harsh elements of a street. There was a little bit of progress in the last three days. She is being given bath and she herself was asking for the food. The asram people expressed their willingness to help bring her mental and physical condition to normal.

The real hero in this was Sri Gangadhar. Most of the reporters write a story as a profession and leave it there. But he followed up the story and worked with tremendous amount of commitment and dedication towards changing her plight facing several hurdles that were not mentioned here. He was supported by his wife Anju. The others that were actively involved are Sri Chennaiah garu and Seema (NATCO) who was instrumental in locating this Sevasram. It was an emotional roller coaster ride for all of us who were closely involved in this endeavor for the last one week.

The real challenge started now. We need to mobilize the resources to support her on a regular basis. For now, Chennaiah garu paid Rs.20,000 to asram out of his pocket which we need to reimburse and there were some other expenses. Ratna Kumari garu is not even remotely related to Gangadhar garu or Chennaiah garu, but the humanitarian side of their personality saw them help her much more than one’s own relatives would do. Let’s all rekindle that side of our personality and come forward to support her. It just takes a few minutes of our time and few bucks to bring change in one’s life, in Rata Kumari garu’s case, to give new life to her. I urge all those kind hearted and well placed people to come forward to help her.

Please see below the pictures of her on the street and now having her lunch in the asram.

There is an excellent response for Akhila Bharatha Annamacharya Jayanthi Utsavam from all over the country. Please see below a few responses from different places around the country including premier educational institutions like IITs.

I am very happy to receive a mail from you and I must congratulate you for associating with Telugu cultural activities and celebrating wonderful events like Annamacharya Jayanthi. Infact we have a Telugu cultutal association at IIT Kharagpur established in the year 1964 and presently I am secretary for the same. Also there is one strong and well organized telugu association in Kharagpur town and I knew the president of that organization as well. Yesterday we have celebrated Sankranthi in our campus with a gathering of 500 people. The details of celebrating this event at Kharagpur can be framed very soon and will let you know.

Dr. M. Amaranatha Reddy
Assistant Professor & Incharge TE Lab
Civil Engineering Deparment
Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur
KHARAGPUR

nenu IIT Roorkee lo chadvuthunanu. Ikkada dadapuga 500 mandi telugu vidyardulu unnamu. Ikkada memu ugadi,vinyaka chavthi, cultural festival chesukuntunnamu. IIT Roorkee lo meeru talapettina Akhila Bharata Annamacharya Jayanti Utsavam cheyataaniki memu siddham ga unnamu.

Naresh Babu Bojedla

I am Avinash Prakhya, a Btech 4th yr student of IIT Roorkee. This mail is regarding the organisation of Annamayya Jayanti in Roorkee. I have got the information from our Professor Dr. M.V. Karthikeyan. I am the General Secretary of the Student Affairs Council which is the Apex student body of our institute and fortunately I am myself from Andhra Pradesh. I truly appreciate the initiatives taken by SiliconAndhra in organising similar activities last year and now throughout India. On the personal front I would like to congratulate SiliconAndhra on being so successful abroad. We are really looking forward to getting associated with SiliconAndhra in making this event a success.

Avinash Prakhya
General Secretary
Student Affairs Council
IIT Roorkee

I have taken over as the President of Telegu Cultural Association of IIT Madras last year. We have been trying to organise small events with the help of students and staff of our IIT. I am happy to see that you are planning to organise Annamacharya Jayanthi celebrations in Chennai. We would definitely give our support to this event. We will have the function organised in IIT itself. We had a meeting about the prigramme and started working on it. I have already booked the hall for that whole day.

Prof. B.S. Murty
Dept. of Metall. & Mater. Engg.
Indian Institute of Technology Madras
Chennai

Thank you so much for the mail. I am surprised to see the attachments of the activiites. We do have one Andhra Cultural Association @ Cochin with 49 years of standing and about 200 families as members in its rolls. I was assocoated with the organisation over the last 29 years and presently heading the Association as its president. We do have a buiding of our own and activities of such as social, cultural functions etc. We will be happy to celebrate Annamacharya Jayanthi in Cochin with your support. I am informing the other committee members also.

R.M.R.Vishnubhatla
Associate Director, ASD(V)
Naval Physical & Oceanographic Laboratory
Cochin 682021

We will be very happy to associate with SiliconAndhra and to celebrate Annamayya Jayanthi in Jamshedpur. We will publicise the event in all possible ways not only in Jamshedpur but also in surrounding areas. We have ABS Rammandir which is very old and we will celebrate there.

GMS Rao
IRAN PROJECTS(MD's office)
TISCO - 4553
Jamshedpur

Delhi lo singers ki inform chestunnamu. It will be celebrated in AP Bhavan. Takkuva expenditure tho grand ga cheddam.

Arja Sreekanth, IRTS
GM-Traffic
Indian Railways

All of us in the SiliconAndhra family are extremly delighted to celebrate the 599th Annamayya Jayanthi in an unprecedented fashion across India in the same format at the same time on the same day on May 2, 2007. The objective is to pay rich tributes to Saint Annamacharya, the first and the greatest Telugu Vaaggeyakarudu, in a very traditional way with utmost professionalism and quality thus celebrating the Telugu culture and heritage by involving a large number of Telugu people especially youngsters in more than 100 cities and towns. On February 4th, the team from India had their first meeting in the Telugu University campus, Hyderabd. The attendees include Srinivas Prabhala, Sanjeev Tanugula, Adithe Subramanyam, Garikipati Prabhakar, Dr. J. Chennaiah, Indira Adidam, Girija Lolla, Mahesh Perugupalii, Ganesh, G. Murthy, Varanasi Subramanyam, Karthik Lolla and others. The meetring was kicked-off by a conference call from USA led by Sriphani Vissamraju, Surya Vakkalanka, Sneha Vedula, Ravi Kuchibhotla, Shantivardhan Ayyagari and Anand. Let us all put our hearts and souls together to make this event a success of historic proportions. Let us all work together to make the spirit of 'Jagamantha Telugu Kutumbam' a reality. I will be providing more information as we move along and please keep visiting this blog regularly.

Annamayya Sankeertana Utsavam as we all know by now was a Grand Success. Continuing in the family tradition, more than 100 SiliconAndhra family members gathered at Susarla vaari sweet home on Friday Feb 2nd, 2007 night. The whole neighborhood was swamped with the cars. By 9 PM almost everyone arrived. To celebrate the success, ASU coordinators Hema and Vijayanthi hosted a wonderful home made dinner. On that occassion, Sriphani garu thanked all the volunteers who contributed for the success of the program. Anand shared the details of the upcoming Akhila Bhratha Annamacharya Jayanthi Utsavam. Dilip garu and Prasad garu shared the the beauty of SiliconAndhra family. SiliconAndhra family gave a surprise treat to Dilip garu and Bhrathi garu on the eve of their 14th wedding anniversary and the birthday of their daughter Nimisha. The grand finale of the program is nothing but a great impromptu dance performance by Sneha garu. After a lot of fun and frolic, the families left the party after 1 AM in the night.  

The settting up of back drop and other related banners started a day ahead this time. As we changed the venue to Sunnyvale temple, it requires a totally different kind of set that offered some challenges to set upour trade mark backdrop. Our 'Adhyaksha' took initiative to get a beautifully designed backdrop and rallied the troops to set things in order a day ahead. The team led by Sridhar Palla and Kishan Rao ably supported by Sankar, Siddhartha did an outstanding job of fixing the back drop on a on a huge custom made wooden frame (35 ft x 10 ft) and trimming the stage. Yet another example of SiliconAndhra family rising to the occassion and taking the challenge head-on.

Goshtiganamu practices went extremely well this weekend. Nagara Sankeertana (Ooregimpu) will be the best ever with a large number of youngsters participating with a lot of practice. Everyone did their homework. Hema garu and Vyjayanthi garu are working relentlessly in encouraging people. The dream of a large number of Goshti Ganam singers on the stage is going to happen this time. We should have an excellent crowd. Sreelakshmi has done an excellent job training everyone. I am amazed at her dedication. Please convey your regards and appreciation when you see her next time. The Progress is Amazing!

In this year's Annamacharya Sankeertana Utsavam, audience would have an opportunity to listen to some rare Keertanas sung by the BEST singers in the area. They have been practicing for the last several weeks. Brinda gaanam practice is by the SiliconAndhra members under the able guidence of renowned singer in the Bay area Smt. Sreelakshmi garu. The purpose of this brindagaanam is primarily to propagate the rare krithis of Sri Annamacharya released by TTD last year. Gosti gaanam practice is also by the SiliconAndhra members lead by Smt Sreelakshmi garu and Avvari Gayathri garu. Instument support by Sri Rayasam Prasad garu, Ravi Gutala garu, Srinivas Saripalle garu and Sri Bhamidipati Srinivas garu. You could see the pictures here from the practice sessions.

The official publicity kicked-off on Friday Jan 5th at Nameste Plaza, Sunnyvale,
Sunnyvale Hindu temple and various other locations with an overwhelming response.
Well over 75 families were invited in the most traditional style to attend
the Jan 20th 2007 Annamacharya Sankeerthonothsavam event
at Sunnyvale Hindu Temple. An amazing number of invitees showed interest
to participate in the Ooregimpu with kids (starting at 9am sharp on Jan 20th)
and cooking (SiliconAndhra volunteers will be cooking 'chakkati telugu
bojana prasaadamu' on Jan 20th).

New SujanaRanjani and New website are instant hits. There are 1700 unique visitors (2700 visits) with about 25,000 page views and 15 Gigs download in the first four days. This is the highest ever webtraffic generated for Sujanaranjani. Here are some comments that we received from all over the world. Let us all move with the spirit of SiliconAndhra!

ippude siliconAndhra chusanu, prathi peji vadalakunda chadivelaa unnai,layout to saha anninti lo meeru teesukunna sraddha abhinandincha daginadi meeru chestunna prayatnam abhinandincha dagindi,
Burra sai babu,Teacher, kcp siddhartha school,kanuru,vijayawada,india.

Sujana ranjani look cAlA bAvumdi. SIrshikalu naccAyi.
Greately appreciate the effort of 'Sainikulu'.Thanks
Shiva Gunda

The new format looks very nice and professional. Your team did a good job.
Happy New Year to you and your family.
Surendra Dara

Siliconandra website/sujanaranja ni patrika andamga/adbhutamga, kanulaku vinduga/manasuku pasanduga unnayi.
Wish You All A Very Happy And Prosperous New Year 2007
Rama K, Troy

The new look and feel of Siliconandhra web site and Sujanaranjani is awesome. The one I liked most on Sujanaranjani is index image is like "Thala Pathram", my sincere appreciation to the entire team who pulled this monumental task on time without compromising on quality.
Sree Budhavarapu

It is really very heartening to see telugu people doing so much to preserve our culture.
Srikanth Mallajosyula, Detroit

Nice to see your " SILICAANAANDHRA" and felt happy at it's contents....
It is very refreshing and glad to see that due weightage is being given for the articles of noted telugu writers....
Nanduri Prabhakar, Vizag

Thank you so much for the mail. I am surprised to see the array of your activiites. We do have one Andhra Cultural Association @ Cochin with 49 yersof stsnding ad about 200 members in its rolls. I will take this opprotunity to thank you for the mail with a request to keep me on the mailing list.
R.M.R.Vishnubhatla,Cochin

Thanks alot for the mail. I really enjoyed reading all the features.
Sri Moukthika

Just now I happened to see the magazine completely. I am very much impressed with it. I am sure you are leading the magazine in a grand manner. You are taking care of covering all. I will certainly forward to our friends.
Sarma, Detroit

Thank you very much for sending me SujanaRanjani. I am an admirer of silicon andhra, and try to attend when ever I am in U.S.
Can I send, stories/articles to your magazine? I am a writer.Thanks once again.
Bhanumathi. Hyderabad

Congrats. Will read the magazine and I am sending the same to all our members
Ravi Prakash
President, Kuwait

Nextgen SA web site (http://www.siliconandhra.org/nextgen/) is really superb....I am not kiddig. I was so impressed with the amazing effort we put in developing such a web site. Feed back from friends on the new website is so good.
Rambabu Manchkanti

SiliconAndhra Next Gen website and SujanaRanjani webzine were launched at the hands of the Sri Ram Reddy garu and Smt. Indira garu at their home with a large number of SiliconAndhra families in attendance. The Web team led by Surya and SujanaRanjani team led by Vamsi showcased the new features.

        

        

        

        

ACF 2006 Nandi Ustavam Events was kick off in a great splendour at Sanatha Kendar on Aug 26 2006 by Sriphani Visamraju garu.

Program Content for ACF 2005 event was presented. Chairman and Convenor for ACF were announced. Vamsi Prakya is the Chairman, and Karthik Maddali is the Convenor.

All participants registered for various programs.

          

The kickoff meeting for Avadhanam & ACF events was held on 10-July-2005 6pm at Anand garu's residence. It was a packed house with over 50 volunteers!

Program Content for ACF 2005 event was presented. Chairman and Convenor for ACF were announced. Lalitha Ayyagari is the Chairman, and Chandra Sadanala is the Convenor.

Committees were formed. Team Leads for each committee was assigned, and tasks for each committee were also identified. Volunteers signed up for the committees and the work for Avadhanam & ACF events kicked off immediately.

              

Excitement continued to Day2 of the Door-to-door campaign on 25-July-2005. The team went to the Evergreen area in the south valley. Reviewed the meticulous route plan, and confirmed the addresses on phone. Even though there is no respite from the heat, the campaigning started on full swing. The team started getting used to the "baffled, surprised, thrilled, excited.." faces of the invitees.

         

..after a short time off to cool down , the team went on a marathon of knock-knocks and inviting.

The team dispersed at 3pm ending(starting! a successful weekend of "..undamma bottu pedata" campaign.

        

"..undamma bottu pedata": Door-to-door publicity campaign kicked off on 24-July-2005 early hours at Anand garu's residence. Keeping up to the traditions of telugu marriage invitations, the siliconandhra sainikulu applied pasupu with sugandha dravyalu on all the invitations specially prepared for ACF 2005 event. The mood was no less than the mood at our pre-marriage festivities!

        

...in the blistering heat of 100F, the team reached Ardenwood area in Fremont. Reviewed the checklist, picked up the writing pads, invitations, and flyers...and then knock on the doors. "Baffled, surprised, thrilled, excited..." were the invitees. No invitee might have expected to be personally invited in this way here in USA!

"August 6na naalgava siliconandhra vaarshikotsanavaaniki mimalni mariyu mi kutumba sabhyulani aahvaanistunnamandi....tappakunda veelu chesukuni randi.." ani bottu petti aahvaanincheru siliconandhra aadapaduchulu.

The invitess were very courteous and obliged to give the team contact details of other telugu families in that area.

The exciting first day of the campaign ended at 7pm.

    

Publicity at Namaste Plaza, Sunnyvale on the evening of 23-July-2005.

Anand and Ramakrishna explaining the details of upcoming events Astavadhanam & ACF.

Namaskaram to all Silicon Andhra Sainikulu!

Welcome to the Silicon Andhra blog, a place where you can record daily/weekly progress of the activites or just blog your ideas/suggestions . You can also post an image to the blog.

To start posting your activity progess, please register here or contact your committee lead.

Happy blogging!