Telugu Sravanthi - A BRIEF HISTORY

• The rich culture and heritage of Arabs is not new to the people of Andhra Pradesh. Since long time, the Arabs had their historical links with the people of Hyderabad. Until the early 60's there were only a few hundred families settled in UAE. Following the oil boom from 1970's, with UAE undertaking massive development programmes, number of people particularly from Hyderabad started settling in UAE. However, the influx of people from other parts of Andhra Pradesh into UAE gathered momentum in late 1990's when skilled workers, professionals and businessmen started moving into UAE.
  
  At present, it is estimated that more than 100,000 people from Andhra Pradesh have made UAE as their home by virtue of their working in different economic sectors of the country.
  
  It was during 1998 that a few like minded people from Andhra Pradesh have thought to have regular meetings among the telugu people to exchange ideas and celebrate Indian festivals with zeal and fervour. With this in mind, on Friday 27th March 1998 TELUGU SRAVANTHI came into being with its first meeting held at the residence of Mr. Madhusudhan Gade, followed by a cultural programme in the Auditorium of the Sharjah Cricket Stadium.
  
  Since the UAE laws does not allow any section of people to work in groups to serve their communities except by statutorily incorporated associations/social centres, Telugu Sravanthi started its activities under the auspices of Indian Association, Sharjah.