Panel Discussions and Seminars

Introduction of the Committee:
The Panel Discussions and Seminars Committee would facilitate and conduct Panel discussions and Seminars at ATA Convention, on the topics that are of importance to Telugu speaking people living in the USA and India. It also would facilitate the Panel Discussions/Seminars conducted by Regional Development Forums from regions such as Nalgonda, Karimnagar, Palamoor and Telengana Development Forum.

General Format of the Discussions/Seminars:
The formats of the events depend on the topics. Some topics may involve presentation(s) followed by a discussion with a Panel of experts with opposing ideas. Other topics may have seminars or Panel Discussions alone.

Topic: Jan Lokpal Bill

Seminar Presenter: Anna Hazare Team (Anna Hazare/Arvind Kejriwal/Kiran Bedi) [Invited]

Panel discussion Members: Anna Hazare Team, Aruna Roy/Arundhati Roy/Jaya Prakash Narayan [Invited]

Description: The Jan Lokpal Bill, also referred to as the citizens' ombudsman bill is a proposed independent anti-corruption law in India. Anti-corruption social activists proposed it as a more effective improvement to the original Lokpal bill, which currently is being proposed by the Government of India.

The Jan Lokpal Bill aims to effectively deter corruption, redress grievances of citizens, and protect whistle-blowers. If made into law, the bill would create an independent ombudsman body called the Lokpal (Sanskrit: protector of the people). It would be empowered to register and investigate complaints of corruption against politicians and bureaucrats without prior government approval.

In April 2011, civil activist Anna Hazare started a Satyagraha movement by commencing an indefinite fast in New Delhi to demand the passing of the bill. Following Hazare's four day hunger strike, Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh stated that the bill would be re-introduced in the 2011 monsoon session of the Parliament. Accordingly, a committee of five Cabinet Ministers and five social activists attempted to draft a compromise bill merging the two versions but failed. The Indian government went on to propose its own version in the parliament, which the activists rejected on the grounds of not being sufficiently effective, and called it a "toothless bill".

The fight for passing of Jan Lokpal Bill in Indian Parliament is still going on.

Topic: Burglaries/Home Invasions in USA

Seminar Presenter: Community organizations working on this cause, Law Enforcement Officials

Panel discussion Members: Community organizations working on this cause, Law Enforcement Officials, Victims

Description: There have been numerous burglaries and home invasions targeting South East Asians in the USA and UK over the last few years. Some of the typical incidents, scenarios and the potential reasons behind targeting our communities will be discussed. Some of the victims will share their account of the incidents. The progress that has been done by law enforcement officials, non-profit organizations will be discussed. Law enforcement will also share certain safety tips which could help avoid being a target of burglaries/home invasions.

Topic: The Legacy of Dr.Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy

Seminar Presenter: Hari Prasad Reddy Lingala and Team

Description: On the eve of Dr. YSR's birthday (July 8th) - The life, achievements, and the service Dr YSR has done to our state of AP will be discussed.

Topic: Telangana Railway Ring Project

Seminar Presenter:Ravi Singareddy

Description: Telangana Railway Ring project was planned and designed as a part of strategic mass transportation between rural Indian districts, with railway connectivity. This plan will strengthen economic development from ground up from town levels to the major cities. This plan is designed simple concept of having connectivity between neighboring districts head quarters and no dead end railway lines.

Regional Development Forums organizing events:

Nalgonda Regional Development Forum
Karimnagar Regional Development Forum
Palamoor Regional Development Forum
Warangal Regional Development Forum
Telangana Development Forum

INVITATION: The Committee invites any other Regional Development Forums to contact the Committee members if they like to hold their meetings at
the ATA Convention.

Committee Members:
Venkat Mondeddu, Chair
Adi Chinnatimma, Co-Chair
Kiran Kandula, Co-Chair
Ravi Kukkamalla, Advisor
Narasimha Rao Aluri, Member
Ramana Reddy, Member
Ramesh Babu Manyam, Member
Kondal Reddy, Member

For more details, please contact : paneldiscussions@ata2012.org