TAGC Golden Jubilee Celebrations: A Magnum Success

Telugu Association of Greater Chicago (TAGC, First Telugu association in North America) celebrated 50th year anniversary celebrations in a grand scale over October last weekend. First day was a spectacular Banquet at the Seville Banquets Streamwood followed by Dussehra and Deepavali celebrations at Naperville Community Church, Yellow Box, Naperville. The event was a grand success with an overwhelming response from the Telugu community with 2000+ guests in attendance over 2 days. Multiple guests from Community, National and Local Telugu organizations, long time Sponsors PMSI Ashok Lakshmanan, NY Life Krishna Rangaraju joined along with Chief Guest U.S Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthy, Dr. Sreenivas Reddy member of the National council on White House History and Indian Consulate General’s office represented by Consul Gopal Bhagath.

On Banquet day, 2021 President Venkat Gunuganti and 2020 President Praveen Vemulapalli recognized Sponsors and Donors for the past 2 years. Banquet was served with delicious food from Cool Mirchi which included multiple savory and sweet items. Few Past Presidents, long time Sponsors and Members spoke on the occasion and remembered their memories, connections in the last 50 years. Live Music Concert with well-known singers Manisha Earabathini, Prasad Simhadri, Sarada Akunuri, Srikanth Sandugu, Sruthi Nanduri entertained the audience. Musical band was led by Meher Chanti with his 6 person MLiveBand team. The musical night rocked and energized guests with continuous nonstop entertainment. Anchors Kavita Thotakura and Sahitya Vinjamuri kept the whole program lively with their special engagement skills on both days. Event decorations added color to both events and the audience enjoyed the Photo Booths at each location. TAGC Youth volunteers and membership committee welcomed all guests with a smile.

As part of the 50th year celebrations second day “Joruga Husharuga – Dasara and Diwali celebrations”, more than 250 participants including kids, youth, couples and senior members of TAGC have participated in the cultural programs. Neelima Cheikychrla with her cultural team Archana Podduturi, Prasanna Kandukuri and Unni Vitta have done splendid job in coordinating with the several teams making it a spectacular event. Audience have enjoyed variety events on different themes like Indian festivals, seniors program, couple dance and so on. Event brought a true festive atmosphere where all the seniors, youth and kids came together under one roof to celebrate the 50-year history of the Telugu community in America and the importance of perseverance.

Food committee Chair, Vijay Beeram with his team & volunteers, did a wonderful job in serving delicious dinner from Cool Mirchi for such a massive crowd in the allocated time. Attendees were appreciative of tasty food. After-dinner program started with past-presidents recognition. 23 presidents with their families joined on the stage. Current President Venkat Gunuganti and President-elect Uma Avadutha with help of BoD’s felicitated all past-presidents on the stage. It was a special moment in TAGC history with so many presidents on the stage. As part of the program, TAGC President-elect Uma Avadutha introduced new 2022-25 BoD’s along with the 2022 EC team. Venkat Gunuganti accompanied with his wife Haritha recognized past President Praveen Vemulapalli and his wife Kranthi for their services and dedication towards the organization with a flower bouquet, shawl, and a plaque. TAGC 2020 president Praveen Vemulapalli and Kranthi recognized 2019 President Ram Billakanti and his wife Malathi for their services and dedication towards the organization with a flower bouquet, shawl, and a plaque, as there were restrictions on physical events in 2020.

Live Music Concert continued on the 2nd day and energized guests in the auditorium with nonstop entertainment for almost 3 hours. Anchor Kavita and her daughter Radhika entertained with their special dance. TAGC president, Venkat Gunuganti, past-president Praveen Vemulapalli along with his whole BoD team presented all singers, Anchors, Music Band team members with flower bouquet, Colorful Shawl and 50th year Plaque. Cultural chair Neelima Cheikycharla also thanked all the participants, their parents, coordinators, teachers and the guests for their enthusiastic show of support throughout the evening. TAGC President, Venkat Gunuganti, thanked the Executive Committee, Board of Directors, Chairs, Co-Chairs, Technical team, Hospitality team, Food team, Membership team and volunteers who have worked for weeks in planning and preparations to make this event memorable. He also conveyed his gratitude and thanks to sponsors for giving back to the community and requested TAGC members to make use of services provided by sponsors. TAGC is planning to release a special 50th anniversary souvenir with content and inputs from past and current members. It is planned to be released by Ugadi 2022.