'Ugadi' (Telugu New Year) for the year 2015 was celebrated for the second time in the UK House of Parliament on 25th of March 2015, with the blessings of Members of the Parliament and hosted by Virendra Sharma MP, Jon Ashworh MP, Gareth Thomas MP.
This event was organized by Telugu NRI Forum UK Chapter. This was a very significant event as Ugadi is not famously celebrated in western counties in such fashion, amidst people's representatives and the Parliament.
The historic Committee room 10 in the House of Commons, UK Parliament was filled with colourful Telugu women and men in their traditional attire. People from Tamil, Kannada and Marathi origin also were invited to the event as Ugadi is celebrated across India, under different names.
The event witnessed the presence of British MPs Jon Ashworth; Gareth Thomas; Virendra Sharma; Ms. Seema Malhotra; Barry Gardiner; John Speller; Mike Gapes, Stephen Thomas, Chi Onwura and Ms. Uma Kumaran Labour Parliamentary candidate for Harrow East; Sanjay Jagatia ji advisor for Telugu NRI Forum.
The MPs were welcomed in traditional Telugu culture by applying vermillion on their foreheads, with garlands made from fresh flowers around their neck and honouring them with handicraft items made in the towns of Andhra Pradesh, the Telugu speaking land.
All the MPs were overwhelmed with the presence of a very active gathering and encouraged the Telugu people to take similar active part in the development of UK.
Several MPs motivated Telugu people to come into active politics, while some of them advised Telugu people to rise to the occasion in uplifting their communities in the UK.
Lot of unsung heroes from the community were recognised and honored on this occasion, through the hands of the MPs. Awardees below:
Mr Amar Kavi – Young Entrepreneur Category
Mr Shiva K Guntur – Career / Professional Excellence Category
Dr Ravikumar Maturu – Career / Professional Excellence Category
Dr Prabhakar Motkur – Career / Professional Excellence Category
Ms. Bushra Dawood Shaik – Self / Business Excellence Category
Ms. Madhavi Sakuru – Social / Community Service Excellence Category
Forum also received Ugadi wishes via video link from Mr Narendra Modi Prime Minister of India, Mr Amit Shah President BJP, Mr Ashok Gajapathi Raju Civil Aviation Minister & Mr Grandhi Mallikarjun Rao (GMR).
Ramesh Vudathu President of Telugu NRI Forum UK spoke briefly to explain the significance of Telugu as the second most spoken language in India and one of the sweetest languages in the world that is more than 2300 years old. While explaining the positive contributions made by Telugu people to the UK economy, Ramesh also stressed the need for all Telugus to be strong and united in enabling a transparent government in India that can turn it into a true economic power, while protecting our heritage in parallel.
Some other highlights of the program included Sri. Vikas Acharyulu from JET UK and Kunnashire Parameswara Priest in Shirdi Sai Baba, who provided their blessings to MPS and to our community by chanting veda mantras. Panchanga Sravanam (almanac) was done by Sri Yadati Sharma. Cultural songs from reputed local artists like Vickram Thyagarajan and Rudram chanting by Vedamshu (group of 5 boys under 10 years) stole the hearts of the public.
