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