Atlanta, Georgia: “The First APNA Day” got off to a flying start at 3PM on 1st December 2007 at the Ashiana Restaurant at Global Mall, Atlanta, Georgia. In a glittering ceremony, hosted by TAMA and attended by 600 invited guests, the noble ideals of the new organization took its first step forward with the enthusiastic support from a number of community supporters and participants.

Several of them pledged their commitment and support for the cause of providing medical care to the less privileged sections of society in Andhra Pradesh, as envisaged by APNA Foundation. The main thrust of APNA will be in various areas by improving the provision of water, food, health, shelter and awarding scholarships. Responding to an appeal by Dr. Adisesha Reddy and Mr. Bala Indurti, Executive director of APNA the guests pledged their donations to the noble causes of APNA. There were several guests who came forward with large donations. They included Dr. Sadasva Reddy ($11,000), Dr. Premsagar Reddy ($10,000), Mr. Chowdhary Yalamanchili ($10,000), Dr. Adisesha Reddy ($10,000), Dr. Renuka Reddy ($10,000), Dr. Gandhi Yalamanchili ($10,000) and many others. It was very gratifying to note that the total exceeded $100,000. The donation by Mr. Srinivas Lavu on behalf NTR Trust was greeted with loud cheers.

Mr. Artur Davis, US Congressman from Alabama was the keynote speaker at “The First APNA Day”. In his keynote address, Mr. Davis strongly endorsed the aims of APNA. The Congressman stressed the importance of individual effort in poverty alleviation programs in India as well as in USA. Sri Balasubramanyam, the cynosure of all eyes, addressed the gathering with several significant observations. Stressing the importance of the ideals set forth by APNA, he exhorted the audience to not only contribute financially to this noble effort but also make sure that the hard-earned money reaches the needy people of AP. He commended the talent of local performers and wound up his speech by a melodious song that depicted his humility as a devotee of fine arts. He received a standing ovation.

The presence of Sri S.P. Balasubramanyam as the Chief Guest of the evening lent a special aura and importance to the event. Sri Balasubramanyam lit the ceremonial lamp to inaugurate the function along with other dignitaries. Sri S.P. Balasubramanyam and Artur Davis were honored by APNA. Davis was presented with a plaque by  Balasubramanyam. Davis formally felicitated Balasubramanyam. Dr. Adisesha Reddy thanked the office-bearers of TAMA for their unstinted support and co-operation in hosting APNA Day in such a grand style.

APNA honored Dr. Haranath Policharla, Dr. Jagan Ailinani, Dr. Prabha Kamath, Dr. P.V. Rao, Ravi R. Ponangi, Atlanta based journalist and executive members of TAMA. All the participants in the cultural events of the day and everyone else who contributed to the success of the program received medals from Balasubrahmanyam. The commendable job done by Siri Yellamraju, Sheila Vedala, Lakshmi Vedala, Smitha Yellamraju, Anita Bhagavathula, Namrata Sathuluru, Durga Yerramilli, Ramesh Duvvuri, Pushyami Lanka, Venkat and Radha Chennubhotla as MCs, Mr. Pramod Sangawar and Mr. Ram Durvasula in managing the audio system, Mr. Venu Polisetty for video systems, as well as all the volunteers, registration and the reception, transportation and media co-ordination committees was recognized and gratefully acknowledged.

Dr. Jagan Ailinani made a Power Point presentation on “Adopt-a-village” and strongly outlined the importance of making efforts to spread health and awareness amongst the poor villagers of AP. Dr. Prabha Kamath also made a presentation on ‘Coping with Success’. The general impression gathered from the audience was that the entire program was a grand success.

Cultural programs were conducted with verve and appropriate commentary by a competent team of presenters and MCs led by Ram Durvasula. A brief presentation was devised by Mr. Syam Yellamraju recognizing the past 25 presidents of TAMA. A melodious sitar recital by Dr. Kodavatiganti Rohiniprasad who was ably accompanied on the tabla by Anjaneya Sastry was received with appreciation by the audience as well as by the chief guest.

Earlier, the function began with a cheerful hour of socializing, with the guests enjoying the appetizers and exchanging pleasantries.

To a question, Artur Davis told Ravi Ponangi,  that he would be joining the Congressional caucus on India soon. He also said that he was glad to be able to meet a dynamic community of USA at the “First APNA Day”.

"India is a great country and marching forward and becoming a world leader. Relationship between America and India is vital in the present world scenario and a lot can be done together for the betterment of the world," he said.

Balasubrahmanyam, also visited the newly built Sri Swaminarayan temple at Lilburn. Mitesh Patel and others received the visiting guest and took them on a tour of the temple and explained its architectural beauty in detail. Earlier, swamis of BAPS performed rituals blessings of the visiting dignitaries. Bala Subrahmanyam told this writer that the architecture of Sri Swaminarayan temple is amazing and it represents the true essence of India’s rich heritage..