Hyderabad: Dada Saheb Phalke Awardee, Padma Bhushan, Nata Samrat, Dr. Akkineni Nageswara Rao is celebrating his 90th Birthday this month.
Dr. ANR has announced that one NRI and nine other prominent people from different walks of lives from Andhra Pradesh will be bestowed with “Akkineni Life Time Achievement Swarna Kankan awards” on Sept. 22nd at Ravindra Bharathi in star-studded ceremonies hosted by a well known service oriented organization Vamsee Art Theaters International headed by Vamsee Ramaraju.
Hon. Supreme Court Justice Jasti Chelameswar will attend these ceremonies as a Chief Guest and Padma Bhushan Dr. C. Narayana Reddy, Dr. T. Subba Ramireddy, MP, Entrepreneur N.T. Chowdary will attend as special guests.
A special ANR Golden Hits live concert with full orchestra being conducted by NRI popular singer Sarada Akunuri along with other noted singers Geetanjali, Chandrateja and Vinod Babu at this event. A special souvenir depicting Dr. ANR’s life history will be released during this occasion.
The following are the awardees:
NRI Community Leader, Prasad Thotakura, Padma Bhushan, Nata Sekhara G. Krishna; Guinness Book of Worlds record holder Director Smt. G. Vijaya Nirmala; Dharskendra K. Raghavendra Rao; Comedian actor Ali; Producer, Director and Actor R. Narayana Murthy, Senior High Court Lawyer Sri. Yellamraju Gopalakrishna Murthy (104 yrs); Famous Writer Smt. C. Ananda Ramam; SVBC Channel CEO Dr. P. Madhusudhana Rao; Celebrity Mistress of Ceremonies Smt. MKR Asha Latha.
Mr. Prasad Thotakura from Dallas, TX is an outstanding, dynamic, corporate and community leader, a bridge builder, a mentor and a role model of the immigrants has been serving the Indian American community for more than 25 years. He is very genuine in what he believes in and always receptive to new ideas. At times, he works in extreme conditions to help people even though he doesn’t know them personally. He puts his talent and tenacity to work and achieves desired results. Prasad, a well-known community leader, a man of many facets incorporates indefatigable community service and human rights advocacy. He has many exemplary civic leadership and community service achievements impacting the ever growing active and highly respected Indian American community. Mr. Thotakura, who inspires the community, is a highly dedicated leader with a strong desire to serve with zeal. His compassion and concern for the community is reflected in every one of his impressive actions. He has earned outstanding appreciation and respect among all cross sections of the Indian American community as the person to go to in the hour of need. His biggest contribution to the community - special efforts in serving the needy irrespective of their regional, religious denominations including senior citizens, women and youth. He has been a crusader in a true sense and his contribution towards a strong, unified and prosperous Indian American community will be remembered for ever.
Prasad is a community activist who spends umpteen number of hours and goes beyond the call of duty to serve the public. He loves Indian arts, culture, music, traditions and especially Telugu language & literature.
Mr. Thotakura has provided leadership through several organizations, including:
President, Telugu Association of North Texas (TANTEX); President, India Association of North Texas (IANT); President, Telugu Association of North America (TANA); General Secretary, Indian American Friendship Council (IAFC); Advisory Board of Director, Dallas Community College District (DCCCD); Board of Trustee, Texas International Theatrical Art Society (TITAS); Board of Trustee, World Affairs Council of Dallas/Fort Worth (WAC-DFW); Advisory Board of Director, American Cancer Society (ACS); Advisory Board of Director, Dallas Conventions & Visitors Bureau (DCVB); Advisory Board of Director, KERA 90.1 (National Public Radio-NPR); Advisory Board of Director, Dallas Police Chief’s Racial Profiling Team (DPCRPT)
Prasad was conferred with many awards and recognitions for his decades of outstanding community service, namely - “Seva Rathna” award from his home town Gannavaram, Krishna Dist; “International Community Service Award” from the International Telugu Cultural & Literary Association (ITCLA), Hyderabad; Special Recognition” award from the Art of Living Foundation; “Seva Nidhi” award by Dr. C. Narayana Reddy in Hyderabad; “Ugadi Puraskar” from the Telugu Association of North Texas (TANTEX); “National Community Service Award” from the Telugu Association of North America (TANA); “Special Appreciation Award” from the CARE International; “Outstanding Community Service” award from the Greater Dallas Asian American Chamber of Commerce (GDAACC); “Best NRI Award” by Mr. Satyabrata Mookherjee, Hon. Minister of State for Chemicals & Fertilizers at New Delhi Telugu Academy, New Delhi; “Pride of India” award by the India International Friendship Society (IIFS), New Delhi, India; “Exemplary Community Service” award by Governor Nikki Haley of South Carolina.
Mr. Prasad Thotakura is well respected by not only Indian Americans but also by the US politicians and policy makers. Prasad has been a pillar supporting the growing Indian community in the United States and truly deserves this award.
‘Siromani’ Dr. Vamsee Ramaraju
Founder President
Vamsee Art Theatres International
Cell: 98490 23852
