Atlanta (March 23, 2013). North American Telugu Association (NATA) organized a free workshop on Financial Investing and Retirement Planning on March 23rd in Alpharetta, GA. In the spirit of looking ahead, NATA leaders Dr Prem Reddy and Dr Malla Reddy and President Dr. Sanjeeva Reddy and other leaders, felt it prudent to facilitate discussions on these important areas to all members of our Indian community.

The audience of over 150 people from various walks of life gathered at the “Taste of India” banquet hall in Alpharetta by 6 PM, to be greeted with melodious music and soothing melodies from Venkat Chennubhotla & Bhanusri Vavilikolanu. The social hour that followed, helped the audience to interact with each other and network actively. The mood was upbeat and the spirits high as the tone was set for an open and informative discussion on the key areas of investing and asset planning.

NATA RVP Ravi Kandimalla welcomed the gathering and talked about NATA organisation, NATA leadership of Dr. Prem Reddy, Dr Pailla Malla Reddy, President Dr Sanjeev Reddy and the activities taken up by NATA in service of Telugu community in US and India. He requested everyone to join as NATA members and support the high ideals and lofty goals of NATA. Srini Vangimalla, NATA 2014 Convention Coordinator introduced the first guest speaker, Rajesh Jyotishi from Shalin Financial Services. Rajesh Jyotishi talked about Retirement Planning, Estate Planning and Insurance Planning. The informative discussion helped everyone to understand the options to safe guard one’s income and to utilize the legal process to establish a safe process to pass on the assets to the children and dependents. NATA 2014 Convention Co-Convenor Satyanarayana Reddy, introduced the second speaker Tom Singh from BoA Merrill Lynch. Tom presented a thought-provoking discussion on financial investments and investment outlook for 2013.

The guest speakers were felicitated by NATA BOD & Convener Bala Indurti, and other NATA team members including Srini Vangimalla (Ccordinator), Satyanarayana Reddy (Co-Convener), Ravi Kandimalla (RVP), Ramesh Chaparala & Goutham Goli (Core Committee members).

Speaking on the occassion Bala Indurti greeted and thanked the audience for their active participation. NATA is committed to providing an opportunity for all people to safeguard their family’s interests. Only then the global community will be able to spread out and take care of others. The vision and objectives of Dr Prem Reddy and Dr Malla Reddy can only be met when willing hands and hearts unite in a spirit of progressive thinking and careful planning. He lauded the speakers for laying the groundwork for a fruitful discussion. A special mention was made for the tremendous enthusiasm and support from the community in Atlanta for making every event from NATA a memorable one. So far, NATA has been blessed to enjoy a lot of goodwill and participation from the telugu community for it’s stellar list of events that include: NATA day charity golf, Sai Health Fair, Ghantasala Program, Gurjada Swarnotsvalu, Amutha varshini Annual day cultural event & the current Investment Planning seminar.

Bala also took the opportunity to share a few important chair & Co-chair positions for upcoming NATA convention to be held in GWCC, Atlanta on July 4th,5th, 6th of 2014.

• Ramana Reddy Doddla (Food Committee Chair),
• Dilip Reddy Tunki (Venue Chair),
• Venkat Chennubhotla (Cultural Chair),
• Madhav Durbha (Literary Chair),
• Raghu Kotha (Souvenir Chair),
• Phani Dokka (Co-Chair Cultural & Literary),
• Ram Durvasula & Neelima Gaddamanugu (Co-Chair Cultural),
• Gireesh Reddy Meka (Registration Chair),
• Srenivas Reddy Kotlure & Ram Maddi (Ch-Chair Registration),
• Guru Paradarami (Stalls Chair),
• Hari Pothukuchi (Program Guide),
• Vijay Gandapodi (Decorations Coordinator) ,
• Siva Gaddamanugu (Web committee Chair),
• Kiran Reddy Kandula (Publicity Chair)

NATA team is also actively looking for interested members with appropriate fit and interest for chairing and volunteering for other committees. An announcement on these remaining key positions will be coming soon after member engagement.

Kiran Kandula , Sreenivas Reddy Kotlure & Gireesh Reddy Meka coordinated the membership online process and registered about 100 Life members. It is a well known fact that NATA Atlanta has always been in the forefront in membership recruitment and new member initiation drives. The year 2013 has only seen the group of dedicated NATA community grow in leaps and bounds.

NATA Community Services Co-Chair Venkat Reddy Mondeddu concluded the program with Vote of Thanks. Special thanks are due to Sridhar Reddy Vakiti (Video), Venkat Garidepalli (Photography), Jagadeesh Reddy Cheemarla (Food & Venue arrangements). Ramana Doddla and Jagadeesh Cheemarla went out of their way to ensure smooth food arrangements and guest sign-up coordination.Taste of India restaurant management provided an excellent venue and delicious food. Everyone felt that the evening was a time well spent and well invested.