Biggest Kannada Festival outside India: AKKA Walk on the Golden Gate Bridge held in US

Bangalore, Aug 20: Association of Kannada Kootas of America (AKKA) is all set to begin its 8th World Kannada Conference, one of the biggest Kannada festivals outside India, from Aug 29 to Aug 30.

This time Kannadigas from the Bay Area representing Kannada Koota of Northern California (KKNC) is hosting the 8th AKKA conference. KKNC on Aug 16 performed the Golden Gate Bridge walk as part of their promotional event.

Dignitaries who attended the Golden Gate Bridge walk:

Mr James Herlihy, Co-Chairman of the San Francisco - Bangalore Sister City Committee, Honorable Mr N Parthasarathi, Indian Consulate General and Indian Consul Dr KJ Srinivasa.

Who organized and spoke on behalf of KKNC and AKKA:

Advisory committee members represented by Mr BV Jagadeesh and Mrs Alamelu Iyengar. Convenor of AKKA Convention Mr Suresh Babu, Co-Convener Mr Raghu Halur, Treasurer Mr Sadanand Hebbal, Secretary Mr Arvind Chinya.

The list also included Marketing Chair Mr Kishore Rao, Program Manager Mr Ragha Muddaiah, Publicity Chair Mr Raj Banakar and other members of the Publicity and other committees were present. KKNC President and Jt. Secretary of AKKA Mr Dhananjaya Kengaiah was also present at the event.

Who attended the event:

More than 150 enthusiastic Kannadigas driving from all parts of the Bay Area participated in the event showing their whole hearted support for the upcoming AKKA Convention.

Who will attend 8th AKKA conference in US?

About 5,000 Kannada people are gathering to participate in the upcoming programme. At least 30 MLAs, artists from different sphere, Kannada film actors, musicians too will be present at the event, Dr Halekote Vishwamitra, President of AKKA, told Oneindia.

Minister of Kannada Language and Culture of Karnataka -- Smt Umashree, Union Minister of State for Civil Aviation -- Sri Siddeshwara, Minister of Department of Transport of Karnataka -- Sri Ramalinga Reddy will be present at the conference.

Power Star Puneeth Rajkumar, Challenging Star Darshan, Comedian Sadhu Kokila, Musician Harikrishna, Swamiji of Udupi Puttige Mutt Sri Sugunendra Theertharu and many others will attend the three day function.

What is AKKA?

AKKA was established in 1998 by the Kannada speaking people living in the United States of America and Canada at a convention held in Phoenix.

Its aim is to integrate, coordinate, network and unite the activities of all Kannadigas and Kannada Kootas in North America for the promotion and preservation of Kannada language and culture. Among its charity work, AKKA has donated considerable sum to build a section of Sankara Eye Hospital in Bangalore.

Venue and Date of the 8th AKKA conference:

Place: McEnery Convention Center, San Jose.

Date: August 29 to Aug 31

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