Desi Talk

www.desitalk.com – that’s all you need to know 4 CITY VIEWS August 1, 2025 American Telugu Association Discusses Potential For Collaborating With US Consulate In Hyderabad T he leaders of the American Telugu Association based in the US, recently met inWashington, D.C., with the incoming Consul General for the American consulate in Hyderabad, to discuss the potential for collaboration in areas of common interest. The ATA President Jayanth Challa recently met with LauraWilliams, the incoming U.S. Consul General in Hyder- abad. Williams, who is currently with the U.S. Department of State inWashington, D.C., will succeed Jennifer Larson, the cur- rent Consul General of Hyderabad, whose term is soon coming to an end. Challa, along with several members of the ATA business group, met with Larson at a luncheon organized by the Indian American Business Impact group, coor- dinated by Ravi Puli, a press release from ATA said. The discussions covered various topics, including issues important to both the In- dian American and Telugu communities, as well as potential collaborative mea- sures to further strengthen the U.S.-India/ Telugu relationship. Topics also included addressing student concerns and enhanc- ing business-to-business connections. In a separate lunch meeting withWil- liams and two former U.S. diplomats, Kathy Hadda and Vinai Thummalapally, Challa explained the services offered by the ATA to the Telugu American commu- nity. They discussed the possibility of pro- viding orientation sessions for students preparing to leave for universities in the U.S. The idea of doing an orientation is to mitigate misinformation, ATA said, noting that the Hyderabad consulate is the largest one in Asia and processes more student visas than any other in the world. By a StaffWriter Promising Army Cadet Neil Edara Of New Jersey Dies During Training T he U.S. Army Cadet Command (ROTC) reported the death of one of its cadets in the course of training in a post on Facebook July 26, 2025. An investigation is ongoing into the death of Cadet Neil Edara of Ridge- wood, N.J., who was attending Cadet Summer Training in Kentucky. “Cadet Edara was one of the most dedicated and promising young leaders I’ve had the privilege to know,” Lt. Col. Timothy Sorensen, professor of military science, Rutgers University, said. “His calm collected demeanor and unwavering commitment to excellence left a lasting impact on everyone around him. His loss is deeply felt across the entire ROTC and Rutgers community. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and loved ones during this incredibly difficult time.” He passed away during training on the Land Navigation site on July 24, 2025, on Fort Knox, Ky, the FB post said. Edara joined ROTC at Rutgers Univer- sity in September 2021. He was attending Cadet Summer Training as part of 9th Regiment, Advanced Camp. Edara became unresponsive while conducting Land Navigation Training. “He received immediate medical attention and was medically evacuated by helicopter to the University of Louisville, where he was pronounced deceased by medical profes- sionals,” the Army Cadet Command said in the FB post. At this time, the cause of death is under investigation. The agency said the safety of cadets and cadre remains U.S. Army Cadet Com- mand’s top priority as training continues, and that the Cadets have access to reli- gious affairs or spiritual counseling and support as required. A web search indicates, Neil Edara was the son of Varalakshmi L. Edara, a licensed Social Worker, and Srinivasa Edara, a software engineer. Other relatives include Nina Edara, and Praveena Edara. A call to the number listed for Varalakshmi Edara received no response. Several posts by parents of ROTC cadets, on theridgewoodblog.net, speak of their experience and condole the Edara family for its loss. One Anonymous post says, “My son was good friends with him throughout RW schools. Always a sweet respectful boy with a great family. Our sincerest condo- lences to his family and friends. Heart- breaking!” Neil Edara’s Facebook site @neil.edara, contains no new posts since July 27, 2021. It lists 132 friends. It includes an intro saying, “RHS class of 2021 RU class of 2025 Rutgers Ravens: Air Force ROTC Detach- ment: 485”. By a StaffWriter PHOTOS:ATA Leaders of the American Telugu Association at a luncheon meeting arranged by the Indian American Business Impact group with Laura Williams, new US Consul General for Hyderabad. Leaders of the American Telugu Association, ATA, meeting with the new US Consul General for Hyderabad Laura Williams. President of ATA Jayanth Challa, right, with new US Consul General for Hyderabad Laura Williams. Army Cadet Neil Edara. Neil Edara updated his profile photo on FB on July 27, 2021. PHOTO:FACEBOOK @ARMYROTC PHOTO:FACEBOOK @NEIL.EDARA