(Image source from: AZTGA celebrates Telangana Formation Day with great gusto})
After five long decades of turbulent struggle and unyielding hope, every Telanganite's dream of having an independent state came true with the creation of Telangana, India's 29th state. On June 2, 2014, at the stroke of midnight, Telangana was born, marking an end to the long years of struggle for the region in Andhra Pradesh.
Not just the Telugu community in India, but also other parts of the globe celebrated the historic event with great gusto.
Not to be left behind, the newly formed Arizona Telangana Association (AZTGA) honored the historic event with Telangana Formation Day on June 8th, 2014 that had several noted dignitaries and the entire Telugu fraternity of AZ in attendance.
Held at the Indo American Cultural Hall, the event saw luminaries from all walks of life, from ministers to musicians, grace the function and welcome the new state by recounting the long 60-year-history of Telangana's struggle and optimism.
The event was live addressed by Muhammad Ali (Dy Chief Minister), T.Harish Rao(Minister for Irrigation), K.Taraka Rama Rao(Minister for IT) and Deshapathi Srinivas(Poet, Singer and Teacher), who embraced the new state and paid homage to the Telangana martyrs who gave away their lives for the noble cause.
They hoped that the future would be glorious for Telangana and the Telugus and prayed that the new elected CM of Telangana, KCR, will steer the future of the state towards new horizons, marking new developments for the state.
It was a historic event for the Telugu NRIs in Arizona that saw live performances by Goreti Venkanna (Praja Kavi) and Vandemataram Srinivas (Telugu Music Director and Singer), who were also the Chief Guests for the evening.
The event kicked off with the Arizona Telangana Association President Sridhar Serineni congratulating the Telugu fraternity in attendance and inviting the two chief guests for the evening to the dais.
Addressing the gathering, Mr. Serineni spoke about the struggle, agitation and sacrifice of the students, emphasizing on the issues that plagued the united Andhra Pradesh to which there were no solutions but one, a separate state.
The united Andhra Pradesh saw a decline in Telangana history and traditions. But with Telangana in place, the new generation would learn all about their native traditions and culture and would be able to forge stronger ties with their roots, Mr. Serineni hoped.
Touching base with audience, he said that AZTGA was formed to keep the younger generation of the region, away from their homeland, abreast of its history and tradition of Telangana. Citing his big dreams for the association, he said that willing people from the audience were welcome to join the association as members. He also revealed that the association will aim to host many more such programs in the future for the Telangana fraternity and urged for full support from the Telugu NRIs.
Lavishing praises on the chief guests who took out time from their busy schedule to attend the event, Mr. Serineni said that artistes like Goreti Venkanna have influenced the entire Telugu fraternity with his musical contribution. He also played up on that fact on how Congress party garnered 20% votes in the recently concluded elections in Telangana by dint of Venkanna garu's compositions.
Gracing the occasion, the legendary singer Goreti Venkanna belted out an impromptu, heart-touching song on his love for Phoenix. In that song, he emphasized how he had traveled to various parts of America like Houston and New Jersey, but no other place could stir his heart like Phoenix. He thanked the guests for attending the event and said that he was proud to be a part of a historic event as such.
AW: Suchorita Choudhury
