Telugus in America set to celebrate their culture

, July 2: Some 10,000 NRIs as also representatives from India, Canada and Britain are expected to attend the American Telugu Association's (ATA) 13th annual Conference and Youth Convention in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

The three-day event starting Wednesday at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia is designed to celebrate the Telugu culture and language in America, coinciding with the July 4 US independence day.

ATA has teamed up with the Telugu Association of Greater Delaware (TAGDV) to co-host the fun-filled event that would appeal to all generations of Telugus who immigrated from India as well as those born and raised in the US.

Celebrities like first ever Indian-American Miss USA Nina Davuluri and central and state ministers from various Indian states are also expected to attend, organizers said.

Literary legends like Garikapati Narasimha Rao, Jonnavithula, film writer Ananth Sriram, poet Acharya K. Venkata Reddy and writers Saradapurna Sonty and Satyam Upadrashta are also likely to attend the literary sessions.

Delicious dishes representing various regions of Telangana, coastal Andhra and Rayalaseema would be served at the event.

Women's Day will be a signature event at the convention and there will be a special focus on "saamaajika seva" (social and charitable service) both in the US and India.

"US Telugus, particularly those local ones, are very much excited over the event. And we are looking forward to witnessing great participation of our community," conference convener Parmesh Bheemreddy said.

IANS