Dr.Sivannaryana Paturi M.D., President, 1996.

On behalf of the Executive committee, it gives me great pleasure to celebrate the 25th Anniversary of our Association, along with you.

It is my sincere duty to appreciate every individual who helped start TLCA and supported it all these 25 years. I thank all those who participated in the 25th Anniversary Ugadi function held in April of this year. Our children, who are the future members of our organization, deserve our recognition and appreciation. They were recognized at the 25th Anniversary Ugadi function. The past presidents of this great organization being honored at this 25th Anniversary dinner deserve special thanks for their dedicated services.

I wish the Association will have another 25 years golden period and more.

Dr.D.R.K.Murthy (1973-1974)

As a founding member of TLCA, I am happy to be a part of the 25th Anniversary Celebration. The late Padmabhushan G.A. Narasimha Rao was our president for the first two years (1971- 1973). He very ably handled numerous problems that are associated with the birth of a new org. As the next president it was not easy for me to follow in his footsteps; however, I was fortunate to have the able assistance of members such as Kakarla Subba Rao (Vice President and Guthikonda Ravindranath (Secretary) who made my job easy. I am glad to see that from time to time when the organization runs into troubled waters there are always good men like Ravindranth who rise to the occasion and steer the ship in the right direction. Again congratulations to TLCA and thanks to all the good men and women who served it. Keep up the good work!

Dr. Bandaru Sivaram Reddy (1974-1975)

As a long standing member of TLCA since its founding in 1971 and its past president, I congratulate TLCA for successfully completing it 25th year with grace and dignity. Sincerely appreciate the honor of serving as its third president. This truly rewarding experience would not have been possible without the extraordinary participation of all Telugu community members from Tristate area. TLCA has, indeed, come a long way with a charter membership of about 50-60Telugufamilies to currently more than 600 families.

Walking through nostalgic memory lane, I still remember when TLCA organized the late Sri Ghantasala's music program in 1971 and Telugu movie festival with movie actors in 1973 and honored for the first time the movie moguls Sri B. Nagi Reddy and Sri A. Nageswara Rao in 1975. The days of summer picnics are still flashing before my eyes. The sports activities for women and children organization by Kakrala Lakshmi, Subhashini and Janaki Rao and for men by Dama Venkaiah and Madhusudhan Reddy were, indeed, unforgettable. I still find myself reminiscing about what was accomplished and what should have been. As a testimony to extraordinary achievement and community spirit, it is note worthy that several members of TLCA took leadership roles in organizing the first TANA Conference, first Asian Indian Conference, Fourth World Telugu Conference and World Telugu Convention in NY. We all owe to several pioneers including late Sri Narasimha Rao, late Sri Kothuri Ganesh, Sri Palanki Ramamohan Rao, Sri Kakarla Subba Rao, Sri Gandikota Subba Rao, and Sri Ravindranth Guthikonda, to cite a few, who have contributed immensely during the early days of TLCA. I am confident that with continued support of Telugu community in NY Metropolitan area, TLCA will, no doubt, celebrate its Golden Anniversary with pomp and excitement. Subhashini joins me in wishing the best.

Kakarla Subba Rao M.D (1975-1976)

It is hard to believe that 25 years are passed since we met at a formal picnic and decided to form an association on behalf of Telugu s in NY. Subsequently, we named it as Telugu Literary and cultural Association with the aims and objectives of promoting educational activities and the impact of Telugu Culture on the Telugu s and their children living in NY and New Jersey. Since then, Telugu Literary and Cultural Association has developed into a major influencing body and also conducted a first Telugu Association of NA conference in July 1977.

Telugus all over the world recognized Telugu Literary and Cultural Association and it has been an inspiration for everybody to start similar associations with similar type of aims and ambitions. Thanks to the organization in promoting the children living in USA for reaching a peak of excellence as we see their performances when they visit Andhra Pradesh. Let "Unity be our strength and excellence be our goals".

The World Telugu Federation is celebrating its second annual conference in Hyderabad in the last week of December. I do hope large numbers will attend and make it a grand success. The presence of Telugu s from USA and particularly from NY area will glorify and enlighten the conference deliberations.

Dr. Ravindranath Guthikonda (1976-1977)

Wishing TLCA the best on the occasion of silver jubilee celebration

From the time of informal formation on March 20, 1971 and its formal incorporation on October 28, 1971 in New Jersey to its silver jubilee this year, our Telugu Literary and Cultural Association (TLCA) barely survived painstaking turbulence, hosting many commendable local, North America national and international events that brought pride to our Telugu community. Although the founders, subsequent care takers and well-wishers in the first generation Telugu immigrants may be forgotten in years to come, the goals of our TLCA and its memorable accomplishments will have influenced the lives of many Telugus and non-Telugus alike. Our original goals – to promote and develop Telugu cultural activities, and to encourage creative and technical Telugu literature became routine roller coaster events depending on the enthusiasm I participation, location of the events, emotional political situation in Telugu community and social dogma leading to the inevitable yet unnecessary misunderstandings causing irreparable ripples in the social fabric of our community. Where does our TLCA 's future lie? Although the current activities may continue to a very unpredictable extent possible lack of enough financial support from future generations of " Telugu s" may cripple our TLCA 's ability to make sufficient differences in the lives of Telugus. In order to recognize our future generations as "Telugus", our changing needs require our first generation Ts to invest heavily in formal Telugu language as spoken one at home and other suitable places, and as a written language in a formal school setup. Telugu libraries need to be revitalized to support formal Telugu language. Humanitarian and scholarship aid to the disadvantaged future generation Telugus. More concerted social and political involvement recognizes our clout as Telugu people. Spiritual involvement brings us together at the time of distress and at the time of the repercussions of advancing age. Of course, our Telugu associations may continue to serve to some extent so long as we maintain contact with Telugu people in India through matrimonial relationships and adoptions. If we fail to recognize ourselves to accomplish the above mentioned and other changing goals, we will only be recognized as Indians not as Telugus.

Krishna S. Vavilala, P.E. (1976-1978)

When I received the invitation to attend the Silver Jubilee Celebrations of TLCA , instantly, I made a decision to accept the invitation. In 1974, TLCA was only 3 years old when I was first introduced to it upon my arrival in New York. The next 4 years, I had the privilege of serving it in various capacities, until my family and I moved to Houston in 1981. All these years, Telugu Velugu has kept us informed of the various activities of TLCA along with the news about its members and their children. Telugu Velugu has come of age during the last 25 years. Now we see it in computer print with nice pictures. I remember the days we used to write it by long hand.

I congratulate all of you for keeping the organization alive by your hard work and determination. Let me assure you, there is no other regional organization like TLCA in the entire United States, who did so much to serve the Telugu community not only in this country but also back home in India. Keep up the good work and march on to the next 25 years!

Tirumala Rao Tirineni (1978-1979)

I am very happy to celebrate the Silver Jubilee of our beloved Telugu Literary and Cultural Association (TLCA) and am thankful for the opportunity to be a small part of its success over the last 25 years. In the early years, TLCA was given the needed tender love and care by several stalwarts of our community like Padmasri Gainendi Appala North America Narasimha Rao, Drs. Dasika Radhakrishna Murthy, Bandaru Sivarma Reddy, Kakarla Subba Rao and Guthikonda Ravindranath. Especially, Dr. Guthikonda who raised the standards and success of our Telugu community of Metropolitan New York, by successfully convening the first Telugu conference of North America in 1977. Another notable milestone was the organization of a Telugu School in New Jersey (originally in my own apartment in Edison!), with the help and cooperation of several community members. Since then, we achieved another major milestone in the unrivaled success of World Telugu Convention of 1993 in Long Island and most recently the New Jersey, which was entirely organized by our young adult leadership. I fondly wish and fervently hope that our children, their children and future generations proudly remember their Telugu heritage, with the help of TLCA. God bless TLCA and America.

Radhakrishna Murthy M.D. (1980-1981)

Congratulations to T.L.C.A. on the 25th Anniversary. T.L.C.A. is the first Telugu organization in North America, founded 25 years ago. During this period many dedicated people worked hard giving their valuable time, effort and money to make this organization grow and provide service to its community in the New York Metropolitan area. It is important to realize that any organization cannot progress and sustain itself without the infusion of new blood. I hope that the younger generation will take an active role in the affairs of the organization. This will also give some relief for those people who were working for a long time for the organization. I wish that T.L.C.A. would continue to function and provide services to the TriState Telugu community for the next 25 years and beyond.

Gaddam Dasaradharama Reddy M.D.(1981-82)

The founding fathers of TLCA had a mission to the Telugu people of Metropolitan New York and USA-at-large to perpetuate Telugu Culture and literary activities in the United States of America. TLCA, the oldest Telugu association in the United States of America, had tremendous growth for a period of ten years and then reached a plateau for a period of ten years and steady state until recently. When Telugu students in need come to New York from India, assistance in boarding and lodging before they go to the dormitory of their college and scholarship funds for deserving students should be our future goal. As Telugu people are coming more in numbers to the United States in various fields – medicine, engineering, computer science, education and unskilled areas- we should not only strengthen our organization but enhance the cultural, literary and philanthropic activities for Telugus in the Metropolitan area of New York, the United States, and all over the world, I congratulate the current TLCA Committees for the leadership in taking the initiative of making the 5th Anniversary a grand success.

Chandra Sekhar Royapet (1984-1985)

It was my privilege and honor to be the President of one of the oldest and largest Indian organizations of the Tristate area. During my tenure a the President, I was fortunate to speak on behalf of the Telugu Literary and Cultural Association, when the two legendary chief ministers from the South India Sri N.T. Rama Rao and Sri M.G. Ramachandran visited North America. During my presidency we celebrated the 15th Anniversary of our organization. At that time we all predicted that we will have a grand 25th Anniversary, and I am sure that the organization will celebrate the next mile stones 50th and 100th Anniversaries in the future.

During the 25 years of the existence of the Telugu Literary and CA, we all strived to preserve the culture and values of the great Andhra State we all hail from. The time has come for the next generation to step in and take over the reins of this great organization into the next century. When I coordinated the activities of the Telugu Association of North America (TANA) young adult conference here in NJ, I had the opportunity to interact with the brightest of our youth from all over the country and in specific from the local New York and New Jersey areas. It gave me confidence and pride that the preservation of our heritage and roots are in good hands and it is time that we bring them into the fold to play an active role in our organization. My family and friends join me in wishing the Telugu Literary and Cultural Association many happy return and many many more fruitful years.

B. Ramamoorthy (1985-1986)

It is really a coincidence that I should be asked by Nehru garu to write a message for TLCA 25th Anniversary because he was one of the few Telugu members whom I met at the International House at 500 Riverside Drive in NY, well before advent of TLCA. The Earl Hall at Columbia University and the International House were the two centers where the Indian community used to get together those days. North America Nageswara Rao Chalasani who had studied at Yale and was working for the Regional Planning Association was the one who gave me the first Andhra meal in NY. I was a host to Akkineni North America Nageswara Rao when he first came to this country as a guest of the U.S. State Department. Also we received Sri M. Thirumala Rao, a Member of Parliament from Kakinada and a delegate to the U.N. We tend to be nostalgic whenever a group of us Telugus get together. Since the inception of the Telugu Literary and Cultural Association about twenty-five years ago we have a more formal group that is dedicated to foster our language and cultural heritage in this part of the world. It has really been my privilege to serve our community as a member of the Executive Committee when Bandaru Sivarma Reddy and Gaddam Dasaratharama Reddy were Presidents of TLCA . Later I served as its Secretary when NTR came hare as the first Andhra Chief Minister to visit NY. P. Bhanumathi, the well- known movie artiste, singer and director was our guest when I was President of our association. Nehru and Sridevi were very the gracious hosts for this get together. But for the dedicated members like Nehru, Sivannarayana Paturi, Mohan Rao Badhey, current Executive Committee and the Board of Trustees and all those who actively participated in the activities of our association we could not have come this far. Long live TLCA!

Naranyana Pirlamarla (1987-1988)

It is with pride that I write this message as the 16th president of TLCA, one of the oldest Telugu organizations in North America. During my tenure as the president things went very well and we conducted all the major Telugu festivals. In addition we had the pleasure of having well known artistes like Ratna Papa of Houston on our stage. We also had the leisure of welcoming Honorable Sri Jalagam Vengala Rao. The earlier presidents had already set a course and style for running the organization and it was easy to follow. The members of the executive committee, a chairperson of the cultural committee, Vintha Pesaru put in extra ordinary efforts to make the functions colorful and novel. Telugu Velugu was published regularly. Looking back it all seems so simple and pleasant. Indeed it is true that we all had a good time. Almost ten years have gone by since I was president and it all seems like it was yesterday. Our children are growing up and need the support of the organization to keep them in touch with our rich heritage. TLCA belongs to the younger generation who are now taking up more and active roles in running the show. My best wishes to all who have come in contact with TLCA.

Nirmala Shastry (1988-1990)

I am delighted to be part of the 25th Anniversary of TLCA. I have served the organization as the first and, so far, the only woman president. I am proud of this distinction. During my term in office Kalyani and Uma occupied key positions in the top management of the organization. I am currently serving as the Treasurer of the Board of Trustees of TLCA again a first of its kind in this organization. In a recent Annual dinner I also had the privilege of honoring the women who are the backbone of this organization. For that matter women play a very important role in the shaping or running of any organization. They also stand in support of their spouses and share the responsibilities. Among the many special programs we had during my presidency, we conducted the spirit of New York dinner Dance Cruise that was well appreciated by all those who attended.

I also had the privilege of serving as President for over two years – something not shared by many other presidents of TLCA. There were good times and then there were rough times when I was the President. I took it all in stride and defended our constitution and came out winning. All this in the North America time of duty. I am proud of what I had to do and did it well and without hesitation. My thanks to all the committee members who served with me and stood by me. On a personal note I wish to express my sincere thanks to my family and close relatives who were very supportive. TLCA deserves the best and we are always here to provide what is needed. TLCA has been a treasure house of activity. The World Telugu Convention held in New York was a feather in the cap of all the Telugu people in North America and no small feat for the local members whose time, effort and money were given freely. May the banner of TLCA fly high and may God Bless Us all.

Women are the backbone of TLCA

Krishna Polavarapu (1990-1992)

We as a community in the United States have come a long way in 25 years; from being fledgling org in various cities to organizing massive national conventions every 2 years. At the same time, as a local org we haven't changed much. We have been conducting functions in our own little way for the last 25 years. Only the faces have changed. I guess that itself is a tribute to the spirit of T.L.C.A. org take on a personality of their own and fight to stay on, regardless of the troubles that r encountered. Also it is interesting to note the various differences of opinions that have existed and still exist. Regardless of all these differences we must not lose focus of our org. Ours primarily is a cultural org. Any other activities political or philanthropic or otherwise can only be secondary. I hope everyone realizes the importance of the cultural org just as they do about their professional organizations. Although the future for cultural org like these may look bleak, we should all be hopeful and carefully nurture associations like ours, otherwise we will all get lost in this cultural wilderness called the United States.

It is time for us to pat ourselves on the back for the past 25 years and look forward to many more to come. Congratulations to all, and many thanks to all the members of the community without whose help and dedication, all the activities would not have been possible.

Sastry L. Kambhampati (1992)

Telugus have a great history and tradition. We hail from the land where vedas were born and nurtured over the centuries. TLCA which started 25 years ago has setout with a number of noble aims and goals. Many presidents have served this noble org. My tenure with TLCA spanned many years and I have served in many capacities including being a president. It is time to take stock of what we have done in all this time. We have succeeded in conducting a standard set of T functions, receiving T politicians, movie stars and the like. We have also catered to the fancies of those who embrace the local culture. But have we achieved much in preserving and perpetuating our literary and cultural heritage? It is our duty to preserve, share and perpetuate our heritage – both literary and cultural. We also have the responsibility of teaching our children about this. I sincerely wish that TLCA look back, take stock and chalk out a path that would help carry out the needed tasks. " Janmana Jayate Sudraha" – by birth all are born as sudras (meaning those who do not have 'gnana'). A Brahmin is one who has 'brahma gnana'. If he does not have it he is considered a 'sudra' even if he was born as a Brahmin. Thus a Brahmin does not become a Brahmin by virtue of his birth but only by attaining 'brahma gnana'. The great Maharishi Viswamitra is an example of this statement.

Only some have the ability to learn and enlighten themselves. They in turn can enlighten others. If this is not done we can be sure to remain in ignorance. Advancement to higher ranks of learning and enlightenment is an important goal that should not be neglected nor forgotten. I pray to God Almighty to give the needed strength to TLCA to take on the challenge in the years to come and help us all. May God be with us all.

Gyansunder Ch. Reddy MD (1992-1993)

It gives me great pleasure to take part in the 25th Anniversary celebrations of TLCA. I have been a life member of TLCA since 1974 and during all these years I enjoyed being part of it. I made new friends, whose friendship I dearly cherish. I also continued to maintain old friendships. I thank TLCA for that. I used to be very homesick during my early years in America. It was org such as TLCA which made me feel at home in this far away country. Many members worked very hard to organize the various functions and get togethers. Their efforts have often gone unnoticed. My hats off to those hard working members of the association. We had good times. The association has hone through some rough times but I am proud to say the association stood like a rock and continued to function for what it was started and it maintained its high standards. We the members are the association. With out us there is no association. Let us give our unending support to TLCA for the many more years to come. Let us recruit new members, hold on to old members and work hard for the future and success of TLCA.

Chenchuramaiah Chimmiri (1994)

The Telugu Literary and Cultural Association was established in 1971. My family and me are life members of TLCA since 1978. I was a Secretary (1992-1994) and a President (1994-1995) of TLCA. My predecessors laid a good foundation in bringing up TLCA to a limelight. I am extremely happy to see that the youth r coming forward in large numbers to participate in cultural programs. I am overly elated to note that the present working committee is putting up their best efforts in promoting excellent programs that I have ever seen. Still I wold like to say that all the membership of TLCA should encourage their children to involve more in day-to-day activities and work for the glory of our literature and cultural heritage. Think of what you can contribute and think of the satisfaction you will know that you have done your share to help them.