Empowered women immeasurably improve the lives of everyone: TAMA & IACA @ Atlanta

Over the 43 years, Telugu Association of Metro Atlanta (TAMA) has always been known for its new initiatives, successful execution of its events, with an exclusive event for women “Mahila Sambaralu” which takes place in August or September, consists of Infotainment by Doctors, Lawyers, Businesswomen, Contests for Beauty Pageants, chefs, and sports.

Along with this, for women, this year TAMA president Mr. Suresh Bandaru, wanted to initiate a new celebration, recognizing the achievements of successful women, their leadership qualities., bring them in front of the women to encourage all women out there. Also, Mr. Suresh Bandaru with an innovative outlook for the first time collaborated with India American Cultural Association (IACA) to celebrate women’s day.

TAMA Team, Mr. Suresh Bandaru Mr. Srinivas Uppu, Mrs. Suneetha Potnuru, Mrs. Sudha Priyanka Sundara and Mrs. Suma Potini  and  IACA Team,  Mr. Chand Akkineni, Mr. Kaushal Tripathi, Mrs. Paddy Sharma , Mr. Kriss Gadde, Mrs. Rina Gupta from  the respective associations collaborated and joined hands to get this event in place for women.

On 10^th March 2024 9:30 am at Jade Banquet located in Duluth, Georgia, the light was lit (Jyothi Prajwalana) by our honorable chief guest Consulate General of India Mr. Ramesh Babu’s wife Mrs. Renugadevi Subramanyu and Mrs. Nita Sardana. A beautiful Ganesh Vandana recited by Anusha Goda, Mrs. Paddy Sharma opened and welcomed the three strong pillars of TAMA, Suneetha Potnuru (General Secretary), Sudha Priyanka Sundara (Education Secretary) and Suma Potini ( Womens Secretary).

IACA women team representation Mrs. Rina Gupta and Mrs. Suma Potini (Also TAMA women secretary, played a key role in collaboration and acting as a between the associations) spoke few words about IACA. The event was started with a prerecorded video from keynote speaker Mrs. Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, an Indian billionaire entrepreneur. She is the executive chairperson and founder of Biocon Limited and Biocon Biologics Limited, her insights and success experience were the brainstorming session on Sunday morning along with the yummy, tasty breakfast arrangements provided by TAMA team, it was breakfast, coffee, and Kiran ji’s encouraging words.

That was just the beginning of the event, followed by first panel Empowering entrepreneurs which consisted of Mrs. Kanchana Raman (President, Avion Networks), Mrs. Nita Sardana (VP, ACS Software), Mrs. Arti Kumar (AMS Trading). Mrs. Neeti Dewan was the moderator for this panel and kept the panel engaged with numerous questions, there was a question answer segment also from the audience.

The Next panel Leadership in Education which was moderated by Mrs. Jyothsna Hegde. The panel consisted of Dr. Ritu Ahuja (Director Principal Fulton County) & Mrs. Viji Namburi (Woodard North Principal) who gave an enlightenment of today’s education values. We can’t miss the important aspect of life – Health, so the next panel was on Balancing Health and Wellness. A very well qualified moderator Dr. Lalitha Madepalli (Cardio Oncology) led the panel consisting of Dr. Sumana Moole (Gastroenterology & Gut Health), Dr. Keshma Saujani (Obstetrician and Gynecologist) and Dr. Nandini Sunkireddy (Family Medicine Lifestyle & Obesity), it was a healthy conversation indeed.

With all the gyan and food for brain we had to break for sumptuous food. The lunch time was greatly utilized for all the attendees for networking and photos as women and photos go well and needs to load in social media in today’s world, so the lunch time was best utilized. Shopping is along another key aspect for women, so some stalls were planned for jewelry Disha Jewelry and few other stalls. In between Mrs. Suneetha and Mrs. Priyanka announced raffles prizes sponsored by Bombay Lounge, Mayuri Indian Grill, and various other sponsors.

Post lunch the remaining 3 panels took place which consisted of Mind Matters – moderated by Mrs. Nivedita Garabadu, the panel consisted of Dr. Sreedevi Vayalapalli (Addiction & Adult Psychiatrist), Dr. Kalpana Prasad (General Psychiatry) & Dr Ayesha Suneja (clinical Psychologist). True freedom requires the rule of law and justice and a judicial system in which the rights of some are not secured by the denial of right of others (quote by Jonathon Sacks) – Yes we are talking about Law, Navigating Legal Landscape, another challenging and lawful career where women are also leading – This panel consisted of Mrs. Bhavya Chaudhary(Family based immigration), Mrs. Anandhi Rajan(Business & Personal Litigation), Mrs. Sonjul Kumar(KPPB Business Law) & Mrs. Deepa Subramanium(Employment law). The Legal panel was moderated by Mrs. Sheetal Desai.

Major careers panels discussion took place but we cannot neglect the women working for the social cause, protecting and helping women when need help, yes it about sister hood circle consisting of Mrs. Aparna Bhattacharyya (Exec. Director, Raksha), Mrs. Anu Ganesh (Anu & Her Warriors) & Mrs. Babita Verma (Bebe’s Kitchen) moderated by Mrs. Gita Vempala. The events are possible only with the generous support of Sponsors, TAMA sponsor Smile & Shine Dental Clinic by Dr Srujana Baddam also took time and was present at the event and really appreciated TAMA and the event execution, she was felicitated by the TAMA team and RenugaDevi.

TAMA has proudly celebrated International Women’s Day with such strong women and has raised the bar high by starting this quarter with such an amazing event. There is a proverb “Behind every successful man there stands a woman” and at this event TAMA team spouses Mrs. Neeraja Uppu, Mrs. Sujatha Suneel, Mrs. Gowri Karumanchi, Mrs. Sowmya Ramisetty, Mrs. Haripriya Dokka, Mrs. Jayasri Krishna, Mrs. Kanthi Rekha Chillapalli, Mrs. Namrata Satuluru, ex TAMA team member Mrs. Srivalli Sridhar along with inspiration motivated next generation team members Kids Bebo Potnuru and Jayani Karumanchi were also present at the event.

TAMA Event Secretary Mr. Sreenivasulu Ramisetty and TAMA Literary Secretary Mr. Sasi Kumar Reddy provided help with Lunch arrangements. TAMA President Mr., Suresh Bandaru, TAMA Board chairman Mr. Srinivas Uppu spoke about the services provided by TAMA, Free Clinic services and invited the audience for upcoming signature event Ugadi.

Another feather added to TAMA for this new initiative and successful event exclusive for women. This event was indeed perfect as said by Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex. “We know that when women are empowered, they immeasurably improve the lives of everyone around them—their families, their communities and their countries”.