Telugu Association of Greater Chicago celebrates 50th year Anniversary at a grand scale

The Telugu Association of Greater Chicago, the first Telugu Association in North America, hosted its 50th anniversary celebration at a grand scale over over days. The 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 2,000-plus guests in attendance over two days multiple guests from community, national and local Telugu organizations, longtime sponsors PMSI Ashok Lakshmanan, NYLife Krishna Rangaraju joined along with the 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 two years. The banquet was served with delicious food from Cool Mirchi which included multiple savory and sweet items. Few past presidents, longtime 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 six-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 anniversary celebrations second day "Joruga Husharuga - Dasara and Diwali celebrations", 250-plus participants including kids, youth, couples and senior members of TAGC entertained guests with their performances. 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 for such a massive crowd in the allocated time. Attendees were appreciative of tasty food. Local Indian restaurant Cool Mirchi management supported TAGC with their best qualitative and quantitative food.

After-dinner program started with past-presidents recognition. Twenty-three 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.

The live music concert continued on the second day with well-known singers Manisha Earabathini, Prasad Simhadri, Sarada Akunuri, Srikanth Sandugu and Swaravedika team Sruthi Nanduri, Akhila Mamandur coordinated by Krisha Anumolu. Musical band was led by energetic Meher Chanti with his six-person MLiveBand team. The musical night rocked and energized guests in the auditorium with nonstop entertainment for almost 3hours. 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.

TAGC cordially invites everyone who wishes to support and bless TAGC's efforts to spread and preserve Telugu culture & tradition, and to be part of the upcoming exciting events.