HYDERABAD: The Telugu Association of North America (TANA) is organising a programme, Chaitanya Sravanthi-2008, here on Dec 27.
The one-day programme will be held at Ravindra Bharati and will feature discussions on the granting of classical language status to Telugu, promote skills in disabled artistes and organise sporting contests for disabled sportspersons.
The main focus of Chaitanya Sravanthi will be on disabled children. To this extent TANA has organised schemes to benefit street children throughout the State. Prasad Thotakura, its secretary, has said.
Addressing a press conference Thursday he said the organisation had funded a shelter for street children and organised a medical camp in Vijayawada.
TANA was formed in 1997 to promote the culture and heritage of Telugu-speaking people in North America and has over 32,000 members.
The sporting events will be held at the NTR Stadium near Indira Park and will be inaugurated by cine star Pawan Kalyan at 9.30 am.
The main programme will begin at Ravindra Bharati at 10.30 am. Minister for Animal Husbandry Mandali Buddha Prasad will be the chief guest at the discussion on `Classical Language Status for Telugu’.
Jnanpeeth awardee C Narayana Reddy will be on the panel of speakers. Many politicians, bureaucrats and academicians will participate in the discussion.
TANA will present the Gidugu Ramamurthy Award given for significant service to the Telugu language. The award carries Rs 50,000 in cash and a citation.