It’s like a jatara for us: Gangadhar Nadella
Shri Gangadhar Nadella is a native of Repalle. He’s been living in Detroit since 1985 and has served a term as a President of TANA previously. Talking about his tenure and composition of the Association to Cinema Prapancham, he says, “In 1999-2001, the Association was a combination of Life Members (LM) and Associated Members and subsequently the latter shifted to being Life Members. From 3,100 LM we grew to 7,000. Seven years back we had all old timers. From the past few years we are getting to see recent settlers.”
Gangadhar adds, “It’s gladdening to note that youngsters are getting involved in this kind of programme, and we are looking forward to internalise and extend their involvement to conference activities as well. Sadly there is no day to day participation.”
For the Ex-President of TANA, the gathering of 8,000 people from all over at DC is like a fete. He says, “Adhi maaku jatara sambaralu laantidhi.” The cultural activities that take place is a highlight at the meet. The best of Indian talent in USA gets a chance to showcase their skills, they provide a platform to exhibit the literary, cultural activity, views, etc. Also people come to meet their friends, make new friends.
To break the monotony of the past meetings, Gangadhar says, “We are accomodating fifty two hundred people, most of them from political parties. I am the Chairman of the Political Forum where leaders and members of the political parties gather at one place and interact with the people, there is a question and answer session, it’s a semi-serious forum, opinions are solicited, there’s plenty of food for thought.”
Gangadhar reveals an interesting aspect. Inspired by the Janmabhoomi programme, the Telugus of America promoted the concept in their own special way. They had given a matching contribution to the government to develop their native places. Lot of villages have been developed. We have a ‘TANA Foundation’ which will send money to our villages. But at the moment the encouragement, promotion depends upon the government and it’s policies.
He adds, “A lot of Indians come here every day. My sincere suggestion is to stay here, learn the system, the law and order, the procedures, the discipline and apply it back home.” What makes this TANA unique? “The location, it’s within driving distance, the Capital, plenty of sight seeing and other activities. Shri Chandra Babu Naidu’s presence and ofcourse another achievement is we have invited Bill Clinton too. There are cinema people, live music which will be telecast on Prime Time. I just hope the artistes who are coming here would take this programme a bit seriously, with more practice and regale our Telugus here.”
