FW: TANA? ATA? Do we need two Telugu associations in USA?
Anu
Subject: FW: TANA? ATA? Do we need two Telugu associations in USA?
> Guys,
> Please take a moment to read this and support the idea.
> Please forward it to your Telugu friends.
> ***************************************************
> What is the difference between ATA and TANA? Do we need two Telugu
> associations in USA? Don't you think all Telugus must be united?
> This is a unity campaign to bring all Telugu NRIs under one umbrella. A
> brief rationale is given below. If you agree for unity, we urge you to do
> the following:
> Visit http://www.sirigina.com/telugu1core/index.htm for Details
> ***************************************************
> 1. Add your name to the list of supporters by sending an e-mail to
> telugu1-...@egroups.com
> 2. Forward this e-mail to 10 Telugu friends and urge each of them to
> follow these instructions. Spouses can add their names too! If they don't
> have an e-mail address of their own, they can send an e-mail to
> telu...@egroups.com
> 3. Within one week, call your friends and follow up to assure that they
> have followed through your request. Continue this step until each person
> fulfilled the mission.
> 4. Once you finished the above steps, inform the person who sent you this
> e-mail that you completed your task.
> 5. Provide a copy of this material to your local Telugu Association and
> urge them to get signatures from its members.
> If each of us completes these steps, the list will grow very rapidly in a
> short period of time. Once we have a sizable list, we will appeal to the
> leadership of the two organizations to follow up on the will of the
Telugu
> people here.
>
> ***************************************************
> An Appeal for Unity among our Telugu Community
> ***************************************************
> Dear Telugu Brothers and Sisters,
>
> This letter is an Appeal for Unity among our Telugu
> Community. As people of Telugu origin who have relocated
> to America, we enjoy fantastic opportunities in our
> adopted motherland. Yet, as we establish new roots
> here, we feel it crucial to uphold our culture and
> heritage. As a result of this goal, the Telugu Association
> of North America was formed in 1976, to be the united
> platform and voice of all Telugus here.
>
> In 1990, a second American Telugu Association came to
> exist due to unfortunate issues, which have since been
> dispelled. Now, both associations are working to
> further the voice of the Telugu people, yet they are
> doing what is basically the same thing in every sphere of
> activity. Needless to say, these associations are
> spending colossal amounts of money, not to mention
> months and months of labor contributed by volunteers.
>
> The biennial conferences and programs of these two
> associations have been wonderfully successful. We have
> tried to decipher the differences between the
> associations, but are unable to find any at all.
> We believe in our hearts that both these associations
> together have been far less effective than a strong,
> united organization would have been.
>
> Our Telugu community is a small yet vibrant one, but
> it is suffering because of the divisive nature of
> the two associations. Because of the divisions at
> the national level, the local associations and leaders
> are pressured to take sides. On many occasions,
> especially at the time of biennial conferences, this
> partitioning produces confusion, conflicts, and ill
> feelings. This fracture in our community is a disservice
> to the Telugu people.
>
> New efforts are underway, with the help of and support
> of all of you, to have a single organization once again
> represent us all. Such an organization would promote
> harmony and make economic sense as well. No longer
> will money be donated to two separate organizations
> nor will volunteers' time and creative energy be
> diminished by dissipation. The savings in money,
> time and energy can be better directed elsewhere,
> helping the less fortunate back home and deserving causes
> right here. In our conversations with other Telugus in
> the past few years, we noted that Telugus overwhelmingly
> favor unity. They would like to be represented by a
> single strong dynamic organization, and all of us
> fervently urge for this democratic wish to be honored
> by the associations. We implore the leaders of both
> associations to share power and positions and operate
> under one umbrella and to leave past issues in the past.
>
> We see some flexibility and hope for reconciliation from
> one national Telugu Association. It is not enough until
> the second national Telugu Association considers
> reconciliation as well. We all fervently urge both
> associations to do the hard work of working together.
>
> The perception of Telugu young adults in the USA is that
> the present associations are based on "caste", an
> unfortunate reality, which we must erase by our actions
> to bring unity. Let us provide a very positive image
> of all of us, both here and back in mother land. With
> the focus of bringing these associations together, by
> popular demand, we are launching an electronic signature
> campaign to fulfill the collectivist desire to have a single
> national organization.
>
> At a recent convention, over 1,250 individuals and families
> signed for the unification of the two associations.
>
> With all of your acknowledgments, we will present this
> to our national leaders of both organizations and urge
> them to meet in deference to the will of the people.
>
> Thanks for your help and God Bless You All.
>
> Sincerely,
>
> Akkaraju Sarma [akka...@erols.com], Huntington Valley, PA
> Past President of TAGDV, Bone Marrow Project
>
> Y.P.Rao [sur...@aol.com], Columbus, OH
> Past President of Telugu Association of Central Ohio
>
> Chitturi Ratnam [chit...@mail.org], Burr Ridge, IL
> President of North South Foundation (NSF)
>
> Kotapati SambasivaRao [rkot...@eagle.navsses.navy.mil], Colmar, PA
> Past President of Telugu Association of Delaware Valley (TAGDV)
> ***************************************************
>
sur...@my-deja.com
I don't understand why you so called neutral community leaders trying to
bring together these two organizations? What difference it makes if there are
two or ten associations. Let other caste telugus(like Kapus, brahmins, etc.)
form their own associations. It will be in best interest to have individual
associations based on castes, just like those kammas and reddys have created
their own associations. I consider myself belonging to Kamu?Munnuru-Kapu
caste and I will be more than glad to spend my time and money in creating an
association for Kapus/Telagas/Balijas. That way I don't need to attend those
kamma and reddy associations' tamAshAs. I agree that there may not be large
numbers of kapus living in US, like those reddy gaarlu and kamma gaarlu, but
anyhow I support establishing an assocation based on Kapu caste. Similarly, I
support and encourage other caste folks living in US to establish
associations based on their caste. We can have regular inter-caste
associations' get-togethers. How does that sound?
Before anyone jumping to label me as a castiest, just take a moment
and think whether what I have siad above is correct or not. Think
whether caste system in AP is still in existance or not. Think whether
you feel attached to folks belonging to your own caste than other
castes. Think whether you feel alienated or not when you by chance
end up in large gathering consisting of most of the folks there
belong to a caste different than your own. Thaink about all the
humilations you have had encountered by folks from other castes.
Think about all these things and then reply to this posting.
Itlu,
Surya Rao (sur...@my-deja.com)
Sent via Deja.com http://www.deja.com/
Share what you know. Learn what you don't.
rama.pi...@asu.edu
: Subject: FW: TANA? ATA? Do we need two Telugu associations in USA?
Nope! One is way too many!
The above two can be merged contracting the "A"s at the end and
beginning into "TANTA!" ;-)
If we have one for each caste group that dominates politics/power in AP,
India... TANTA will chsould be allowed to change the more name in one of
the 'characters' to reflect it.
Ramakrishna.
--
rama.pi...@asu.edu
when most peopl are...
The idea of intercaste-Telugu associations getting together is novel I
would say. When we have two more would be merrier! If we can't merge
TANA and ATA into TANTA ;-) we should have more to be merrier. At least
that will be more honest way to maintain one'e linguistic and caste
heritage/culture in the land of milk and honey to add to the deiversity.
sur...@my-deja.com wrote:
: Dear Sirs/Madams:
skom...@my-deja.com
Pidaparthi, but I would like to endorse Mr. Surya Rao's position on this
issue wholeheartedly.
There's no point in throwing unwilling people together. I believe the
Andhra community would be better served by the following organisational
structure: (People may be free to add their ardh anna's worth)
1) Organizations based on caste allegiance should be encouraged to be
formed.
2) Such organizations should be able to collect dues, organize get
togethers, elect office bearers, etc.
3) Each such organization should contribute a representative (other
than the regular office holders), and 10% to 20% of its revenues to an
umbrella organisation of people of Andhra origin. This umbrella
organisation should be authorised to handle issues common to all people
of Andhra origin, regardless of caste or religion.
3)a)The presidency of the umbrella organisation should be rotated among
the representatives of each of the member organisations, with a tenure
of one year.
With such an organisational structure, people of different castes can
hang out among themselves, and can come together, and present a united
front, whenever necessary.
Sujeev
In article <7mloho$no0$2...@news.asu.edu>,
rama.pi...@asu.edu wrote:
> To brand you as casteist would be hypocrisy of the interesting kind...
> when most peopl are...
>
> The idea of intercaste-Telugu associations getting together is novel I
> would say. When we have two more would be merrier! If we can't merge
> TANA and ATA into TANTA ;-) we should have more to be merrier. At
least
> that will be more honest way to maintain one'e linguistic and caste
> heritage/culture in the land of milk and honey to add to the
deiversity.
>
rama.pi...@asu.edu
: I am not quite sure how serious you were in your observations Mr.
: Pidaparthi, but I would like to endorse Mr. Surya Rao's position on this
: issue wholeheartedly.
In my worldview caste-groups are social special-interest-groups(SIGs)...
Sometimes I also view them as support groups! ;-) but seriously though.
Caste as a social group does provide a lot of support.
Sure there is a lot of baggage with all kinds of groups, SIGs or not,
religious, social, political, and other categories.
There is nothing wrong in each one having their own SIG even here in US
in this day and age of liberal/PC-world. It should be more so because of
this boring liberal/PC world... we live in today that has some strange
holier-than-thou attitudes when trying to unify diversity ;-)
Regards, --Ramakrishna.
: There's no point in throwing unwilling people together. I believe the
sur...@my-deja.com
solution for caste concious US Andhrites is to have associations
based on their individual castes. I know it is very difficult to form an
association based on each caste, like those reddys and kammas
have done. But, attempts should be made to form as many
associations as possible based on caste. For example, forming a
Telugu brahmin association doesn't take any effort, as there are
tons and tons telugu brahmins are out there in US. There are plenty
of rich brahmins too. However, it might be difficult to form Mala or
Madiga associations in US, as there might be very handful members
of these castes in US. But, still they should be proud of their castes
and try to form associations, even though they may not be able to
match kamma, reddy and brahmin associations in terms of membership
strength, financial resources, etc. This applies to all different castes
folks living in US. As per me, as I said earlier, I will be more than glad
to contribute my money, time and energies in forming an association
consisting of Kapus, Munnuru-Kapus, Telagas and Balijas living in
US. Contact me if you are interested in forming such an association.
Surya Rao (sur...@my-deja.com)
In article <7mmabv$43t$1...@nnrp1.deja.com>,
skom...@my-deja.com wrote:
> I am not quite sure how serious you were in your observations Mr.
> Pidaparthi, but I would like to endorse Mr. Surya Rao's position on this
> issue wholeheartedly.
>
Dakshin Gandikota
like below, what would these so called caste-heritage associations do? I
hope they auction off the artifacts they are supposed
to make in the caste-system (jandhyams, nasyam, chIpuru, tatta, butta,
cheppu, naga, et al.) and raise the money instead of drawing pay checks
from so called 'hi tech' companies and paying off dues. Enuff said!
Dakshin Gandikota
should read gHantala panchAngam to understand what divisions exist
among APites based on their heritage. It is the following kind of
ignorance that makes it all worthwhile to cling on to the DC/AB type
on-line
panchAngam in this day and age. As for SCIT automod, well, there is a
novel idea that has
run its course and deserves an honorable mention in the next edition of
aforementioned
panchAngam.
skom...@my-deja.com
upbringing out of state), but you are obviously dissing my stand on this
"caste based association" issue.
From the tone of your post, I think you believe that all Telugu speakers
have to be crammed together into one tent forcefully, regardless of
the conditions existing inside this single tent.
On the other hand, people like me believe that when in this one big tent
gets a little crowded, people who have heretofore lived in this single
tent should be allowed to build their own tents if they can, and live
side by side in the same camp.
Sujeev
In article <3793B95C...@telebot.com>,
vayu...@my-deja.com
Emunnadi garvakAraNaM
narajAti caritra samastaM
parapIDana parAyaNatvam
- SrI SrI
ikkaDi bhAratIyulu (Andhrulu) kulaM pErita koTTuku cAvaDaM enta
SObhAyamAnangA unnadO kadA!!!
Jagadeesh Chilakapati
skom...@my-deja.com wrote:
> I didn't quite get the panchangam business (perhaps as a result of my
> upbringing out of state), but you are obviously dissing my stand on this
> "caste based association" issue.
I was brought up in the state and dont know anything about panchangams
either. From his previous postings looks like he is saying that everyone
(those castes discussed) belongs to the 'SUdra' caste and so should not form
different associations.
>
>
> From the tone of your post, I think you believe that all Telugu speakers
> have to be crammed together into one tent forcefully, regardless of
> the conditions existing inside this single tent.
>
> On the other hand, people like me believe that when in this one big tent
> gets a little crowded, people who have heretofore lived in this single
> tent should be allowed to build their own tents if they can, and live
> side by side in the same camp.
I agree with you. The closest parallel I see is the linguistic division of
india into states. We get along well together dont we. The problem with the
idea is that those associations would be too small to do anything worthwile
and may have to fold eventually. I dont see anything wrong with this
(capitalism applied to associations)
Having a single association is idealistic and hence appeals to everyone - I
think TANA and ATA might eventually get there. Until then I dont see a big
problem with the current structure. They conduct their conferences in
alternate years and many people I know attend both conferences. Moreover
there doesnt seem to be any destructive competition
By the way in your previous post you said that these associations dont do
anything for the younger generations. Can you tell me what the younger
generation would really want to do together. As far as I can see, we dont
have much enthusiasm for anything except movies. While the older generation
may be meeting to do stuff unrelated to telugu culture, they seem to have
something in common :). Also people in our generation seem to be less
interested in telugu history or its traditional culture, literature.
jagadIsh
>
>
> Sujeev
>
> In article <3793B95C...@telebot.com>,
> Dakshin Gandikota <dakgan...@telebot.com> wrote:
> > The guys endorsing the atomic table of associations for telugu/AP NRIs
> > should read gHantala panchAngam to understand what divisions exist
> > among APites based on their heritage. It is the following kind of
> > ignorance that makes it all worthwhile to cling on to the DC/AB type
> > on-line
> > panchAngam in this day and age. As for SCIT automod, well, there is a
> > novel idea that has
> > run its course and deserves an honorable mention in the next edition
> of
> > aforementioned
> > panchAngam.
> >
> > skom...@my-deja.com wrote:
> >
>
skom...@my-deja.com
Jagadeesh Chilakapati <jaga...@worldnet.att.net> wrote:
> either. From his previous postings looks like he is saying that
everyone
> (those castes discussed) belongs to the 'SUdra' caste and so should
not form
> different associations.
I do not visit this group as often as when I first came over to the US
in the early part of this decade. So I am not too familiar with Mr.
Gandikota's stance on various issues of interest to Andhras. But, if
what you are saying is true, then he is a casteist of the worst sort
(assuming of course that he is a caste apart :-))!
> The problem with the
> idea is that those associations would be too small to do anything
worthwile
> and may have to fold eventually. I dont see anything wrong with this
> (capitalism applied to associations)
My thoughts exactly. I wanted to mention this very same idea in my
previous post, but missed it somehow.
> Having a single association is idealistic and hence appeals to
everyone - I
> think TANA and ATA might eventually get there. Until then I dont see a
big
> problem with the current structure. They conduct their conferences in
> alternate years and many people I know attend both conferences.
Moreover
> there doesnt seem to be any destructive competition
I've never been to an ATA conference, so I cannot talk about what
transpires there with any conviction. I have been to one TANA conference
(Chicago-1995)however, and didn't enjoy it too much, as you have noted
below.
> By the way in your previous post you said that these associations dont
do
> anything for the younger generations. Can you tell me what the younger
> generation would really want to do together. As far as I can see, we
dont
> have much enthusiasm for anything except movies. While the older
generation
> may be meeting to do stuff unrelated to telugu culture, they seem to
have
> something in common :). Also people in our generation seem to be less
> interested in telugu history or its traditional culture, literature.
>
> jagadIsh
Hmmmmm, to answer your query requires some thought. However, I do have
some ideas that jump off the top of my head. I hope you will excuse me
if I sound incoherent or disjointed or overly optimistic as I express
them here.
I guess in the long run (maybe a couple of decades) I would like to see
TANA and/or ATA evolve into something more than mere bi-annual (or is it
biennial) galas. I would like to see them establish a pemanent office,
with full-time office-bearers, and provide services for the entire
Telugu community. Those services may include lawyers, cheap medical
insurance, scholarships, regular live Telugu entertainment (by flying in
artistes from Andhra to various locations in North America), a museum of
Andhra history in North America, and much much more - people, don't be
shy to put in your ardh anna's worth about your aspirations for
TANA/ATA.
To be able to achieve this vision, TANA and/or ATA should engender
broader support among the Telugu community in North America, in terms of
time, money and effort. Broader support will not be forthcoming,
however, if TANA and/or ATA is run by and for a small group of Telugu
speakers who emigrated here at a particular time (the 70s and early 80s)
in American history.
In the short term the TANA/ATA meets can be made more attractive if the
entertainment provided is more relevant to the Telugu experience in
North America. For example, 10 to 15 minutes can be provided for each
group (those who have been in America less than 2 years, those who are
waiting for their GC, those who have been here 5 years or more, 10 or
more, 20 or more, and finally the ABCDs too) to present their
perspective of life in the US in the form of a skit, speech, borrakatha,
whatever. Prize money should be given for the best effort on down,
except the last placed group. To make things more exciting the last
placed group should be awarded something like a banner displaying an
insulting message in Telugu and English - "We are the dumbest group
here" or something like that. This would have the effect of shaming the
last placed group into putting in a better effort next time and pass the
banner onto some other group. Over time, this should help improve the
quality of entertainment at TANA/ATA.
Competitions like quizzes on Andhra history, geography, current affairs,
cinema trivia etc. with significant prize money(a $1000 or thereabouts)
for the winners should be able attract more young people, and educate
them at the same time. Other competions might include best pacchadi,
best pulihara, etc. Another event can be the "one-liner" event. Select a
relevant contemporary topic, and let people describe their reaction to
it in one line, either in Telugu or English. These messages would be
voted upon for their humour by people attending the convention, with
most popular entries in either category winning prize-money.
To bridge the mutual distrust and loathing that exists between ABCDs and
new arrivals, events (with prize money) should be held that would
involve teams which pair an ABCD with a new arrival. For example, a quiz
which would alternate questions about America with questions about India
would be one such event.
Phooooooey, that was one long post, and I've just about run out of
steam. Perhaps others would like to contribute their visions for
TANA/ATA, and keep the discussion going.
Sujeev
dakgan...@telebot.com
Jagadeesh Chilakapati <jaga...@worldnet.att.net> wrote (some good
stuff a.k.a. email post after filtering chilaka bootu palukulu;
does lekha.org have a private SCIT room? There must be;-):
Where does this inspiration to form caste based associations come from?
Why wasn't it there a year or a decade ago? If competition has any
merit, then any caste-sport based associations should make sense.
There must be a sport only certain caste people play- say chinta
pikkalAta (CP). So when CP players of caste-A meet, they have a good
reason. Eventually when other castes catch up, they can have a national
or world CP tournament possibly with various variations of CP. Thanks
for all scoring points :-)
dakgan...@my-deja.com
to yours truly apply to SCIT whose censorship/moderation
is done by a null-star org called lekha
(btw, seriously how
many SCIT readers can one count here and what have
they done collectively to change AP when they were
not asking for donations or advertising charities/jobs
abroad? Thanks).
In article <7n4mv6$u4l$1...@nnrp1.deja.com>,
skom...@my-deja.com wrote:
> Broader support will not be forthcoming,
> however, if TANA and/or ATA is run by and for a small group of Telugu
> speakers who emigrated here at a particular time (the 70s and early
80s)
> in American history.
>