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Gowdas and Gowdthis from NJ and surrounding states. The fact that they were already a
Gowdas and Gowdthis from NJ and surrounding states. The fact that they were already a
close-knit Gowda clan helped make his work effective and efficient.
close-knit Gowda clan helped make his work effective and efficient.
We had planning meetings at Babuanna’s, Rameshanna’s and Madhu Rangiah’s homes.
We had planning meetings at Babuanna’s, Rameshanna’s and Madhu Rangiah’s homes.
First Ladies Vasudha Keelara and Shridevi Manjegowda, and Shubhashini Rangiah were
First Ladies Vasudha Keelara and Shridevi Manjegowda, and Shubhashini Rangiah were
gracious hosts. I still say that Shridevi’s home-made chicken biriyani is the best ever!
gracious hosts. I still say that Shridevi’s home-made chicken biriyani is the best ever!

For the first time in VPA history, a Broadway-like Musical, ‘Naada Prabhu Kempe Gowda
For the first time in VPA history, a Broadway-like Musical, ‘Naada Prabhu Kempe Gowda
Vaibhava’ played to great accolades at the Convention. Pop-star Naveen Sajju’s music
Vaibhava’ played to great accolades at the Convention. Pop-star Naveen Sajju’s music
invigorated the audience. Dr. Hamsa Gangaswamaiah both coordinated and participated in
invigorated the audience. Dr. Hamsa Gangaswamaiah both coordinated and participated in
the beautiful dance numbers and skits that delighted the audience. The all-male ‘Gowdru
the beautiful dance numbers and skits that delighted the audience. The all-male ‘Gowdru
Kunitha’ by our volunteers in ‘baniyans & chaddis’ caused a riot!
Kunitha’ by our volunteers in ‘baniyans & chaddis’ caused a riot!
Our Gowdru ‘oota’ was very appreciated by attendees. Besides delicious staples like ‘Ragi
Our Gowdru ‘oota’ was very appreciated by attendees. Besides delicious staples like ‘Ragi
mudde’, ‘Koli saaru’ and Chicken biriyani, the 4PM ‘Thindi’ was especially scrumptious.
mudde‘, Koli saaru’ and Chicken biriyani, the 4PM ‘Thindi’ was especially scrumptious. Madhu
Madhu Rangaiah gets all the credit for getting freshly-made ‘obbittu, kajjaya and nippattu’
Rangaiah gets all the credit for getting freshly-made ‘obbittu, kajjaya and nippattu’ from
from Bangalore, which made its way to NJ in 2 days on Garuda Airlines! Attendees who
Bangalore, which made its way to NJ in 2 days on Garudavega Courier Services! Attendees
were wondering how there was unlimited, ‘Open Bar’ on all 3 days can thank Jagadish
who were wondering how there was unlimited, ‘Open Bar’ on all 3 days can thank Jagadish
Shivaramaiah for his savvy negotiating skills with vendors! IT specialist Subhashini Ramappa
Shivaramaiah for his savvy negotiating skills with vendors! IT specialist Subhashini Ramappa
did a superb job sending out all those timely Convention e-mails. Her ‘Dress-code Decoded’
did a superb job sending out all those timely Convention e-mails. Her ‘Dress-code Decoded’
e-mail blast was especially appreciated by attendees. Dr. Raju Muthu with his audio-video
e-mail blast was especially appreciated by attendees. Dr. Raju Muthu with his audio-video
acumen saved us a lot of money when negotiating with vendors.
acumen saved us a lot of money when negotiating with vendors.
Mamatha Shivaramiah spearheaded the ‘Meravanige’ which was one of the highlights of
Mamatha Shivaramiah spearheaded the ‘Meravanige’ which was one of the highlights
of the Convention. With her dedicated team, she fashioned the beautiful Shree
Chamundeshwari idol, Prabhavali, Mantapa, and Nandi Kambas from scratch, even
Preetham and her team were the brains and labor behind the amazing, large-scale,‘Halli’
using power tools! Hema Preetham and her team were the brains and labor behind the
diorama, and stunning Ganesha floral decorations to welcome Convention attendees. A big
amazing, large-scale, ‘Halli’ diorama, and stunning Ganesha floral decorations to welcome
‘THANK YOU’ to all our dedicated Convention Volunteers, who besides holding full-time
Convention attendees. A big ‘THANK YOU’ to all our dedicated Convention Volunteers, who
jobs spent enormous time and effort to make the convention a smashing success. You will
besides holding full-time jobs spent enormous time and effort to make the convention
see their pictures later in this souvenir. We also thank our generous Convention Sponsors,
a smashing success. You will see their pictures later in this souvenir. We also thank our
who helped make the 16 VPA Convention such a big success. Their family pictures follow
th
generous Convention Sponsors, who helped make the 16th VPA Convention such a big
later in the souvenir.
success. Their family pictures follow later in the souvenir.
Looking forward to meeting you all at the next VPA Convention in Detroit!
Looking forward to meeting you all at the next VPA Convention in Detroit!

Namaskaragalu.

Vani Anand, MPH, CHES

Vishwamanava Committee Lead

December 2019

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