Telangana Development Forum (TDF), Detroit, will organize the annual Bathukamma-Dasara festival celebrations at St Toma Church, Farmington, Michigan on Saturday, September 27 from 5.30 pm.
Precisely known as Saddula Bathukamma, it is celebrated as a tribute to Goddess Gauri of Hindu mythology. It is a major festival for the Telugu-speaking people from Telangana State in India and it showcases the cultural and spiritual ethos of Telangana apart from the art and literary values it teaches to the younger generations.
Metro Detroit area has a sizable Telangana population and there is a tremendous enthusiasm never seen before for this festival in USA as this is coming in the first year of (Telangana) state formation, the 29th in the Indian Union.
TDF, Detroit, which has been championing the cause of Telangana for over a decade in USA, is hopeful the event would draw close to 200 families.
The celebrations will start with singing and dancing by traditionally dressed women around the floral formations of Goddess Gowri followed by the worship of Jammi (tree) pooja.
Entertainment galore awaits the young and old alike with cultural programs being planned out and of course the food that suits all palates before they sign off.
TDF, a non-political, not-for-profit organization, was founded in 1999, has been working towards the development of the region back home. TDF provides a platform for People of Telangana Origin (POTOs) to come together to discuss various problems faced by Telangana people.
The region has a rich tradition of culture and language with powerful expressions and sophisticated narratives. History, language, and dialect have molded Telangana sensibilities and identity..
TDF-USA organizes seminars and community events to bring people together and educate ourselves about problems faced by Telangana people. TDF is also involved in voter education campaign during elections in Telangana.
TDF-USA is also involved in organizing cultural and family events to help strengthen community bonds among Telangana people in USA.
TDF will assist individuals and organizations that may want to take up charitable developmental activities in Telangana.
TDF will take up organization development activities by building local chapters in major cities across USA and may assist with development of international communities similar to that of TDF-USA.
TDF Objectives:
- Providing a platform primarily for Non Resident Telangana people people of Telangana Origin and their children and other people and organizations interested in the causes supported by TDF-USA to come together for broader discussion of various problems facing Telangana.
- Help eliminate blocks that are preventing Telangana being developed. TDF believes that having a separate Telangana state will put more control of its resources in the hands of Telangana people and help preserve its unique cultural identity.
- To strengthen cultural identity of Telangana among Telangana people living in North America.
- To develop and maintain an active web site that serves as a depository of information resources and links about Telangana along with a cyber space meeting place for the members to exchange and discuss views about Telangana issues.
- Assist the sponsors of developmental projects in Telangana through their funds channelization and bringing needy people, places, projects and implementation resources together through its foundation activities.
