DALLAS, TX: Prasad Thotakura, TANA Secretary and Chairman of TANA-IIP, has announced the successful completion of "TANA International Internship Program-2007"(TANA-IIP), a youth focused project. The objective of the program was "to promote Telugu culture and bonds to Andhra Pradesh among younger generation of Americans of Telugu origin.

The program provided interns with the direct working and living conditions experience during their internship stay in Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, India. The five students selected for this pilot project were Bhavana Chilukuri-University of Maryland, MD; Sneha Jasti-Boston University, MA; Saritha Goriparthi- University of California, CA; Prathyusha Mididoddi-Emory University, GA and Prabhat Uppuluri-University of Texas, TX. In the seven week internship program, Saritha, Prabhat and Prathyusha worked as interns at Medwin Hospitals while Sneha at Jayabheri Real Estates and Bhavana at a physically and mentally challenged school run by Vegesna Foundation.

The interns also attended a personality development class conducted by Dr Pattabhiram. The program was inaugurated on June 22 at Medwin Hospital by veteran actor, Dada Saheb Palke awardee Akkineni Nageswara Rao and a renowned physician Dr Kakarla Subba Rao.

Besides working as interns, the students had the opportunity of interacting with people like Chief Minister YS Rajasekhara Reddy, former chief minister N. Chandra Babu Naidu, Central Ministers 'Darsakaratna' Dasari Narayana Rao, 'Kalabandhu' Dr T Subbarami Reddy; State Minister Nedurumilli Rajyalaxmi; Guinness Book of World Records Holders Ramoji Rao, D. Ramanaidu; 'Padmabhushan' Dr C Narayana Reddy, Dr Kakarla Subba Rao; K.V.Ramana, IAS, Executive Officer, TTD, Tirupathi; Movie actors - Akkineni Nageswara Rao, Murali Mohan, Krishnam Raju, Srikanth, Rajesh; Directors - 'Darsakendra' K. Raghavendra Rao; Music Directors -Keeravani and Koti.

They have also visited places like Ramoji Film City, IMAX Theatre, Laser Show at Lumbini Park, Golconda Fort, Qutub Shahi Tombs near Golconda Fort, Charminar, Mecca Masjid, Salarjung Museum and other Shopping Complexes in Hyderabad, Warangal Fort, Thousand Pillar Temple, Chandragiri Fort in Tirupathi, Silathoranam in Tirumala, Yadagirigutta, Bhadrakali Temple in Warangal, Sri Venkateswara Swamy, Tirumala, Sri Alimelu Mangapuram, Sri Srinivasa Mangapuram; Puttaparthi Super Specialty Hospital, Museum, Sports Stadium, Music College, University Campus, High School, Hostels and Bhagavan Sri Satyasai Baba's blessings; Rural atmosphere - Pochampalli village with a detailed study of the lives of the weavers in Pochampalli and Kuntloor village.

The 40 day internship was concluded by a graduation ceremony where former Chief Minister Nara Chandra Babu Naidu was the Chief Guest on August 4. He presented the "TANA IIP Brand Ambassador Awards" to these interns. Murali Mohan, movie actor and MD of Jayabheri Real Estates presided over the function.