– LOMBARD, Ill.
Around 100 delegates, from India and across the U.S., attended the Devanga Association of North America (DANA) convention, banquet and cultural program here at Viceroy of India restaurant on Aug. 31, a DANA press release said.
Devangas form a community in South India that traditionally followed the occupation of weaving and are mostly spread across the states of Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Orissa, Pondicherry and Tamil Nadu. The majority of its subcastes weaves silk and cotton handlooms and belong to the Veera Shaiva sect. They even have their own ancestral chronicle (purana).
Andhra Devanga Sangham of North America (ADSONA) is registered as not for-profit organization in the year 1996 by a group of families in the U.S. This convention was largely confined to the Telugu branches of the much wider Devanga community.
In attendance were president of Karnataka weavers’ forum H.K. Govindappa, retired public prosecutor Satyanarayana Katakam from Kakinada, and Satyanarayana Batchu. Representatives from India included, prominent physician Dr. Midathala Humpaigh and Member of Parliament N. Kistappa.
A special attraction at the convention was Rama Bagawathula’s display of handloom saris. And the most critical issue addressed was the epidemic of suicides and risk of starvation from loss of livelihood and poverty due to competition from machine-made textiles. The branch representatives reported on the various charitable initiatives in their respective localities; resolutions were adopted to reach out to other areas, and raise the matter in Parliament.
Founder of Batchu Foundation and AID India Dr. Batchu Koteswara Rao presented a check, in the name of his parents for $100,000 towards a trust, the interest from which will go towards welfare programs for the Devanga community. Dr. Seshagiri Rao Donthamsetti donated $3,000, Jagdish Rao and Tuthika family family $1,000. Several other delegates also donated towards education programs for children.