Telangana Community celebrates unity and culture at vibrant meet in Detroit
The event, organised by Global Telangana Association's Detroit chapter, marking the 11th anniversary of Telangana Formation, showcased the authentic culinary traditions of the State. The organisers emphasized the importance of fostering togetherness in today's fast-paced world.
'This gathering is more than just a celebration -- it's a reminder of the strength we draw from our shared values and mutual respect,' said GTA (USA) president, Praveen Kesireddy, in his welcome address.
A full day of cultural performances, sports and games, interactive activities and heartfelt camaraderie, reinforced the bonds within the neighborhood.
Attendees were treated to melodious musical Telugu folk songs that highlighted the cultural heritage of Telangana. Children participated in fun-filled games. The food that was served contained an array of Telangana delicacies, like the flavorful Bhagara rice, soupy chicken curry, spinach and mango dal, the signature pachi pulusu, beetroot raita, spicy mutton curry, rokati pachadi (chutneys), curd rice, crispy snacks and sweet delicacies, some of them prepared on-site even before the crowds swelled.
Members experienced the warmth and hospitality of Telangana's traditional get-togethers, and the flavors of the State, said Santosh Kakulavaram, one of the organisers.
'It's heartwarming to see neighbors laughing, dancing, and sharing stories. Events like these make our community feel like family,' said Niveditha Bitla who is visiting her son and daughter, both residing in the Detroit area.
For the gathering that was present, it provided a refuge from life's fast pace and a chance to enjoy the tranquility of the surroundings. With women and children turning out in colorful summer fabrics, Shiawassee's landscape resembled a sprawling garden of charming flowers.
The event featured a general health (check-up) camp for all ages with doctors drawn from the local hospitals. There were stalls with beauty and fancy items which attracted young girls and women.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


New Indian Express
35 minutes ago
- New Indian Express
Publishing house with a mission
VIJAYAPURA : Ladai Prakashana, a publishing house in Gadag, has been bringing to light works of new writers, especially those associated with 'Bandaya Sahitya' (rebel literature), since its inception in 2002. Established by writer and activist Basavaraj Sulebhavi, 60, of Vijayapura, this publishing house has been named after Ladai, his weekly newspaper, which folded up due to logistical issues. Ladai, colloquially means struggle. After obtaining a Master's degree from Dharwad University, Sulebhavi not only worked as a part-time lecturer, but also as a reporter of a Kannada daily for nearly a decade in Gadag district. As a journalist, Sulebhavi focussed on inequality in society and highlighted the issues faced by marginalised sections. However, it was his passion for writing and social change that led him to publication of books. As the state convener of 'Bandaya Sahitya', Sulebhavi organised several literary conventions across Karnataka to amplify the voices of the oppressed and marginalised sections of society. 'We wanted to give voice to the voiceless and create a platform for new writers committed to the struggle against injustice and inequality in society through the pen,' Sulebhavi told TNSE. 'Ladai Prakashana is committed to publishing works that attempt to address social discrimination, communalism, caste injustice, and highlight the struggle by marginalised communities. Such works must be factual and people-oriented,' he said. Ladai Prakashana has published 302 books so far, with the number growing from a modest four to nearly 20 titles a year. Its publications have received many awards and recognition from the state government for best design. Prominent among them are from the Karnataka Sahitya Academy and Kendra Sahitya Parishat. It has published many books of progressive Tamil and Telugu writers in Kannada, ensuring that literature promoting social equality transcends linguistic barriers. 'Our first book, Bayarike (Thirst), a poetry anthology on women's issues by first-time writers, received overwhelming appreciation. Its author, Dr Vinaya, is one of the debutant writers encouraged by Ladai,' he said. Ladai doesn't collect any fee from writers for publishing their works. They are funded by a network of like-minded individuals to keep the mission going. The books are affordably priced, reflecting the modest backgrounds of their authors.


Scroll.in
an hour ago
- Scroll.in
‘Tiger Lessons': A compelling novel about the shared existence of humans and animals in the forests
'When a hundred lives are lying hungry in the backyard, how can I eat food here?' Gurappa questions his family when they ask him to eat his meal in peace without bothering about the sheep in the pen. Just like other shepherds in his village, Gurappa measures his own happiness by the merry bleatings of his sheep. The fact that he was unable to enjoy his meal while the animals starved was far-fetched for his family. It often earned him a look of disapproval from them. But it reveals Gurappa's character immediately, and along with it, the worldview of this unusual and striking novel. Konda Polam by Sannapureddy Venkatarami Reddy has been translated into English as Tiger Lessons by Narasimha Kumar from the Telugu. It explores the lives of shepherds, locally known as gollas while their village, situated at the foothills of the Nallamala forests in the Rayalaseema region of Andhra Pradesh, experiences the devastating consequences of famine. The novel captures the ordeals of the gollas during Konda Polam, a practice where shepherds take their flocks to graze deep inside the forests during famine. This period was particularly difficult for shepherds as food and water were scarce. They had to survive on rationed food of hard millet rotis, jaggery, pickles, onions, and rice. As if surviving on rationed food for weeks on end was not enough, the constant anxiety of not having enough water for themselves and their flock increased their hardship. The rustic idiom For someone like me who has lived their entire childhood immersed in nature, over time, I have developed a deep appreciation for the natural world. The dense and detailed description of pastoral life in Tiger Lessons can only be explained by Reddy's true understanding of the Nallamala region. He evocatively portrays the truth of such a life, the communities' resilience, and their ability to withstand environmental shocks while adapting to their new circumstances. Reddy's words have a magical way of climbing into the readers' hearts. I would like to especially mention the exquisite description of the fortitude of shepherds during Konda Polam. Tiger Lessons offers an honest perspective of everyday experiences and emotions of the golla, as well as yaanadi, and sugaali tribes who live in the Nallamala region. In fact, the translation of local Telugu idioms and proverbs adds a layer of richness to the story. It is these unique elements that make this novel a captivating read. The tribesmen's banter and witticisms signify how individuals and groups blend into social structures, systems, or networks, often with long-standing historical or cultural roots. Though a few aspects of the translation might appear unrefined to a sensitive reader, I believe that for a translator who wants to capture realities as they are, he chooses this route to convey unpleasant truths. In this novel, Kumar appears to have rejected an idealised translation style. 'Springs of the Eternal Soul', 'Mead of the Bald Oxen', 'Guy with Crooked Ears', 'Frolic Springs', and 'Pile of Bean Creepers' – the names of places awakened wistfulness in me for a time that is long bygone, and to a land into which I have never stepped into. However, when a novel narrates a life across several pages, its novelty wears off after a while. In Tiger Lessons, while this may be the case, the author introduces surprise elements to keep the story interesting. A disruptive moment comes when the gollas encounter tigers from whom they must defend themselves and their flock. There is another unusual scene featuring the courtship behaviours of a male and a female python. The male follows a trail of scent and mating calls left by the female, eventually copulating in the wilderness. It is impossible for a reader not to be struck by the skill and artistry woven into these descriptions, especially those of the animal kingdom. A hard, merciless world Tiger Lessons also draws attention to social injustices faced by the yaanadi tribe through the lens of true events, where, driven by greed, vested interests commit environmental crimes by exploiting natural resources. The tribe who ekes out living by fishing, hunting, and foraging – wild turmeric, hill pepper, jungle millets, medicinal herbs, and various edible roots get sucked into a world of crime. Reddy writes piercingly about the organised red sandalwood smugglers who thrive in the Nallamala forests. These smugglers cater to a lucrative black market by turning the poor yaanadis into scapegoats. A tribe that possesses only forest survival skills, therefore, becomes easy prey to law enforcement agencies. The realism is deepened by the fact that Reddy grew up only a few miles from the foothills of the Nallamala ranges. Tiger Lessons also reminded me of Man-Eaters of Kumaon, The Temple Tiger, and The Man-eating Leopard of Rudraprayag by Jim Corbett, not in the way that Corbett, a hunter, naturalist, and writer, tracked man-eating tigers and leopards, but more in terms of the writing style. Tiger Lessons encourages patience, persistence, and a deeper appreciation for natural rhythms. Readers will also be inspired to step away from a purely urban or technologically driven existence and reconnect with the natural world, fostering a greater understanding of ecological balance and sustainability. The characters in this book are multifaceted and sometimes they contradict their original personalities. Reddy has captured not just the misgivings of the human heart but also of the animal and plant kingdoms. A profound love for the natural world turns out to be a powerful catalyst for Ravi, the software engineer turned shepherd. After experiencing Konda Polam for the first time, Ravi is inspired to make life-altering decisions towards environmental activism and conservation work. As the translator, Kumar has strived to maintain Reddy's original intent and voice. He displays a strong linguistic and etymological knowledge of the lives he's written about. Tiger Lessons is a rare novel. It gives the reader lessons in various disciplines – geography, anthropology, biology, botany, economics, and agriculture. Not only does it create a richer and more personal experience but it also gives us a unique sensory experience that will be hard to forget long.


Time of India
4 hours ago
- Time of India
Kanaka Durga temple gears up for month-long Shravana Masam celebrations
Vijayawada: The iconic Kanaka Durga temple atop Indrakeeladri in Vijayawada is gearing up for the month-long Shravana Masam (Telugu month Shravanam) celebrations, scheduled from July 26 to August 24. Temple's executive officer (EO) Seena Nayak announced that elaborate arrangements are underway to facilitate smooth darshan and participation of thousands of devotees during the auspicious Telugu month. The EO highlighted that after Dasara, the Shravanam celebrations are the second-most significant festival at the temple. Special pujas will be held every Tuesday and Friday, with a major focus on the grand Varalakshmi Vratham . On the second Friday of Shravanam month, falling on August 8, the presiding deity, goddess Kanaka Durga, will be specially adorned in the form of goddess Varalakshmi, and the Varalakshmi Vratham will be performed in solitude within the sanctum. Around 40,000 devotees are expected for darshan that day and elaborate arrangements will be made. In a major attraction, the temple is organizing a free Varalakshmi Vratham on August 22, the fifth Friday of Shravan. This large-scale event is expected to draw nearly 2,000 women devotees. To manage the turnout effectively, prior registration has been made mandatory. All registered participants will receive free prasad and pooja material. The EO further stated that special festivities will be conducted from August 8 to 10, including garland offerings and traditional rituals. Another highlight is the Sri Krishna Janmashtami celebrations, to be held on August 16, which includes elaborate pujas and a ceremonial cow worship in the evening. To ease crowd management, the temple authorities have urged devotees to book darshan tickets in advance and avoid last-minute rush during weekends and festival days. "We are committed to provide hassle free darshan to devotees. The auspicious month of Sravanam will be observed with utmost devotion. Entire schedule is confirmed following the suggestions of Vedic committee of the temple," said EO Seena Nayak