TAS 20th Anniversary Celebration (T20)

The Telugu Association of Scotland-UK, the first voluntary organisation in the UK, celebrated the 20th anniversary with great fanfare on the occasion of the completion of two decades on Saturday, 11th June 2022. The event ran uninterrupted for nearly eight hours at the Dalkeith Schools Campus near Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland.

Mr. Vijay Kumar Parri, Cultural Secretary of the organisation welcomed the guests and Mr. Niranjan Nooka, Treasurer of the organisation joined him. They started the program with a blaze of flame and continued throughout the event in the form of a Filmfare Awards.

 The chief guests at the event were Rt Hon Lord Provost of Edinburgh Robert Aldridge, Bailie Pauline Flannery and Indian Consul Mr Satyaveer Singh, as well as representatives of various Indian language institutions as guests. One of the founders of the TAS Company, Dr. Mr Ashok Bhuvanagiri, another Mr Prasad Mangalampally and former officers were present as invitees.

Children learning Telugu through Siliconandhra Manabadi sang the song ‘Ma Telugu Talliki’. Cultural performances began with dances by local artists and children and continued until lunch time.

Created by Sri Vijay Kumar Parri himself with his own voice, the TAS 20 year journey short film was very heartwarming and a special attraction that captivated everyone. The cine music of the second half thrilled the audience.

Afterwards, awards, medals and certificates were presented by the chief guests to those who have served in the respective fields on the basis of TAS tagline community, culture and language.

While former TAS executives and current executives received memorabilia printed with the TAS 20th anniversary logo for their outstanding services, during the Kovid period, Telugu doctors who had set up houses on the Internet several times and instilled courage in the public received the ‘TAS Superstar’ medals and credentials at the hands of Chief Guest Bailie Pauline Flannery.

Another guest, Mr Satyaveer Singh, honoured some of the winners in more fields. In particular, during Covid crisis, Scotland and the U.K. TAS Superstars Medals are awarded to members of the TAS who have provided financial assistance, furnishings, and temporary accommodation to many students who are trapped in.

TAS Superstars Medals were awarded to 6 volunteer teachers teaching Telugu in Scotland in the Language category. Mr Vijay Kumar Parri thanked Consul Mr Satyaveer Singh for making this event a part of the prestigious Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav organised by the Government of India.

Afterwards, TAS Chairman Mrs. Maithili Kemburi and President Mr. Shiva Chimpiri wished the 20th anniversary of TAS and honoured the chief guests with souvenirs and shawls.

Chief Guest Bailie Flannery said, “We are proud to celebrate the 20th Anniversary of the Telugu Association of Scotland, the first Indian-based organisation to do so many successful activities, and wish to continue to assist the TAS on behalf of Lord Provost’s Office.”

Another keynote speaker, Consul Satyaveer Singh, said, “A large organisation like TAS has been suggested to take part in the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav around the world. The Telugu Association of Scotland has always reminded its members to assist in expeditious completion of consular services. Mentioned that the celebration was a coincidence.

He said he had good relations with the TAS authorities and hoped to move forward with mutual cooperation.

One of the founders of TAS, Dr. Mr Ashok Bhuvanagiri said that the reason why the TAS which started with 32-40 people is so strong today is that the first working group who worked for the TAS worked very hard, in which Mr Prasad Mangalampally played a very pivotal role and embodied the constitution and rules clearly in anticipation of Mr Satya Shyam Jayanti, Mr Ramesh Golkonda He praised the company for resolving the accounts.

He also thanked all those who have worked for TAS so far and contributed to the company’s development, expressing gratitude that TAS’s current executive officers have taken the TAS 10 to 10 level. On this occasion all the former and current officers of TAS cut the cake together and shared their happiness with each other.

Among the organisations that attended the event as guests were prominent Edinburgh Diwali, Scottish Indian Arts Forum, Scottish Indian Muslim Association, Kannada Association of Scotland – Edinburgh and the Bihari Community of Scotland. All the delegates mentioned their intimacy with the TAS officials, saying that they were proud to be the first Indian-origin organisation to celebrate the 20th anniversary of TAS.

Coming up with TAS programs has always informed them that it is very special.

U.S. Yes. No. Leading Telugu anchor, Singer Smt. Sahitya Vinjamuri, Srikanth Sandugu, Soujanya Madabhushi trio entertained the audience with their songs and games.

The event was co-sponsored by Purview Services (IT & Consulting, VISAS), Livingston’s Spice Kitchen and Canon House Hotel, while co-sponsored by Navadhanya Restaurant, Mitha Sweets, Spice Supermarket, Krishna Foods, Amma Spices Supermarkets.