PROFILE :

     Dr. Prasad Thotakura is a versatile community leader par excellence and has been serving the community for over 25     years. He is currently working as a Chief Operating Officer, ekNazar.com, Dallas, Texas, USA. Prior to this he was     marketing manager with Mobil Oil Corporation.He resides with his wife Swarupa in Fort Worth, TX and has two married     children, daughter Prasanthi and son Sudhir.

     Dr. Thotakura strongly feels that “helping others is not a community service but is a social responsibility.”

     His sincere, honest and dedicated efforts in solving complex immigration challenges, domestic disputes, emergency     situations has earned him an outstanding reputation, appreciation and respect among all cross sections of the society     where people regard him as the “hour-of-need.”

     His strategy, persistent efforts, patience, commitment and hard work were admired by one and all that elevated him as a     distinguished leader in the community when he led the years of untiring efforts to build Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Plaza     in Irving, TX (in 2014), the largest Gandhi Memorial in the USA. (www.mgmnt.org)

     Dr. Thotakura's interpersonal skills, forward, analytical thinking, helping others with sincerity and honesty designated     him as an outstanding, dynamic, community and corporate leader.

     Dr. Thotakura is perceived as a team player, inspiring, motivational and role model leader who responds to all emergency     situations promptly. One of the recent best examples is his vision in drafting an article namely
     Guidelines for F1 Student Visa to Study in the USA” which is helping several students from India who are planning to     study in the USA.

     Dr. Thotakura foresaw the need of the logistics of funeral arrangements and drafted an important document with the title The Final Journey”, helping the community as a resource guide to go through step by step process in performing the final rites respectfully.

As a strong admirer of Mahatma Gandhi, with the intention of inculcating the ideals, philosophy of Gandhiji among younger generation, Dr. Prasad Thotakura donated an eight foot tall bronze statue of Mahatma Gandhi (worth Rs.8 lakhs) to Sri Padmavathi Mahila Visvavidyalam, Tirupati, AP, India in 2017.

Reacting to unfortunate sporadic racial discrimination incidents across the country, Dr. Prasad Thotakura created a well-informed document on Safety Measures – Precautions to be taken thereby guiding the community.

Dr. Thotakura strongly believes in merging into the main stream and plays a key role in building stronger bonds between the USA and India to foster developments in both communities.


AWARDS & RECOGNITIONS :

  • “Community Role Model Award”, Hon. Chief Minister of Puducherry Sri V. Narayana Swamy, 15th Yanam People’s Festival, Yanam, India (2017)
  • “Special Appreciation & Felicitation”, Hon. AP CM Sri Nara Chandra Babu Naidu, at 104th Indian Science Congress, SPMVV University, Tirupati, India (2017)
  • “Gandhi Seva Medal”, Gandhi Global Family Organization, Washington DC (2014)
  • “Melvin Jones Fellow Award”, Lions Clubs International Foundation, Dallas, TX (2014).
  • “Honorary Doctorate Degree” GITAM University, Visakhapatnam, AP, India (2013)
  • “Dr. Akkineni Life Time Swarna Kankanam Award”, Dr. ANR at Vamsee Int’l, Hyderabad, (2013)
  • Best Community Service Award” Hon. South Carolina State Governor Nikki Haley,Dallas, TX (2011)
  • “Excellent Community Service Award”, Art of Living Foundation, USA (2008)
  • “International Community Service Award", ITCLA, Hyderabad, India (2007)
  • “Seva Nidhi Award” Dr. C. Narayana Reddy, Vamsee Art Theater International, Hyd. (2006)
  • “Ugadi Puraskar”, Telugu Association of North Texas (TANTEX), Dallas, TX (2004)
  • “Best Non-Resident Indian Award", Delhi Telugu Academy, New Delhi, India (2002)
  • “Outstanding Community Service Award”, Hon. Gov. Rick Perry, TX at Greater Dallas Asian American Chamber of Commerce, (2001)
  • “Special Appreciation Award", CARE International (2001)
  • “Community Service Award”, Telugu Association of North America TANA (2001)
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POSITIONS HELD WITH VARIOUS ORGANIZATIONS SUCH AS :

  • Chairman, Mahatma Gandhi Memorial of North Texas (MGMNT) 2013 – current
  • President, Indian American Friendship Council (IAFC) Current
  • Founder President, Akkineni Foundation of America(AFA) (2014& 2015)
  • President, Telugu Association of North America (TANA) (2011-2013)
  • President, India Association of North Texas (IANT) (2002)
  • Chairman, Seva Committee, DFW Hindu Temple Society, Irving, TX (2000 & 2001)
  • President, Telugu Association of North Texas (TANTEX) (2000)
  • Advisory Board of Director,
    • Dallas County Community College District (DCCCD)
    • Dallas Conventions and Visitors Bureau (DCVB)
    • American Cancer Society (ACS)
    • KERA 90.1 FM Public Radio
    • Texas International Theatrical Art Society (TITAS)
    • Dallas Police Chief’s Racial Profiling Board (DPCRP)
    • World Affairs Council Dallas Fort Worth (WAC – DFW)

RAISED FUNDS FOR SEVERAL NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL ISSUES INCLUDING :

  • $100,000 to “Krishna District Educational Development Fund (KEDFUND)” to help needy students (Chairman, KEDFUND)
  • $100,000 to “Flood Relief Fund” 2010 to help Cyclone Laila victims (President-elect, TANA)
  • $500,000 to “Gujarat Earthquake Relief Fund 2001” (President–Elect, IANT)
  • $116, 000 for “NY/D.C. Disaster Relief Fund”, (Fund Raising Chairman, IANT)
  • $75,000 to help the victims of “Orissa Cyclone” in 2000 (Vice-President, IANT)
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   ORGANIZED VERY PROMINENT CULTURAL EVENTS SUCH AS :

  • Several Kuchipudi dance ballets choreographed by Padma Bhushan Dr. Vempati Chinna Satyam
  • A number of Carnatic music concerts by Padma Vibhushan Dr. Mangalampalli Balamuralikrishna
  • Devotional concerts by Padma Shri Dr. Shobha Raju
  • Film music concerts by Padma Bhushan Dr. K.J.Yesudas, Padma Bhushan Dr.S.P. Balasubramanyam, Padma Bhushan Dr.P. Suseela, Dr.S. Janaki, Padma Shri Dr.K.S.Chithra, Famous Music Directors like Mani Sharma, DeviSri Prasad, G. Anand etc.
  • Literary meets with prominent literary stalwarts like--“Sirivennela” Seetarama Sastry, Gollapudi Maruthi Rao, Dr.Suddala Ashok Teja, Avadhani Dr.Medasani Mohan, Avadhani Dr.Garikepati Narasimha Rao, Avadhani Narala Rama Reddy, Avadhani Dr.Madugula Nagaphani Sarma etc.