VIJAYAWADA: The fantastic American dream has brought riches and a secure life. But what next and who will take care of the ageing parents back home? Dr. Sukhadeva and his three brothers could take their parents, L. Venkateswara Rao, 86, and L. Sitaratnamma, 80, to live with them as they were well settled. This would be beyond the reach of many Telugu NRIs struggling to make it big in the land of opportunity.

The singular concern expressed by most of the 2,000 NRI Telugu families living in Washington DC disturbed Dr. Sukhadeva as never before. When he came to know about the formation of the Telugu NRIs' Parents' Association in Vijayawada, he instantly donated a costly piece of land abutting the National Highway 5 near Gannavaram. He wanted the proposed "senior citizens' home" named after his parents.

Born in a middle-class family, he knew how difficult it would be for young NRIs to take their parents to live with them in the US.

Expensive healthcare

Most NRIs would prefer not take their parents with them in view of the phenomenal costs of healthcare in the US. Back in Andhra Pradesh, the parents face a variety of problems - loneliness, emotional disturbances and nobody to turn to in times of illness.

"There are many Telugus who are not able to take their parents. They send lots of money. But who will give emotional support to them?" Dr. Sukhadeva asked. He came to the city on a visit to his ancestral village, Pottipadu, near Gannavaram. He came with an idea to sell all the property in the village and share it with his brothers. After a friend informed him about the association of NRIs' parents, he decided to extend all help to the group.

Dr. Sukhadeva had 25 cents in Pottipadu village, worth Rs. 10 lakhs to Rs. 15 lakhs. He donated it for constructing an old age home. "I may sell it and share the amount with my brothers in the US. It will not give the happiness I get when so many old people find a helping hand," he said.

Mobilising funds

He promised to mobilise funds for the new association, if its activities progressed well.

Helping fellow Telugus had been a passion for him. Fund mobilisation was needed to run picnics and cultural activities for Telugu families. "Fundraising is a dirty job. We see people trying to avoid donations. But I have never tired of the association's activities," he said.

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