(December 28, 2022) When AmeriCorps, the federal agency for national service and volunteerism of the United States government, called up Krishna Vavilala informing that he has been selected for the Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award 2022, the long-time Houstonian thought it to be a hoax call. However, when the realisation of the authenticity of the message dawned on him, he was taken aback by surprise.
Endorsed by President of America, Joe Biden, and Vice President, Kamala Harris, the award is considered a symbol of highest recognition of the commitment of outstanding citizens of America who have given their time to volunteer and help their community.
Krishna Vavilala with his wife Prabhat Lakshmi Vavilala at the Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award Ceremony
“I strongly believe in the virtue of sincerity and commitment, and that is why, as you must have noticed, the byline of my email is ‘Commitment is key. Everything else is an excuse,’ remarks the 86-year-old Samaritan, while connecting with Global Indian from Houston for a video chat.
Krishna Vavilala, who hails from Andhra Pradesh, and immigrated to the United States in 1974, was felicitated on December 4 at a glittering ceremony in Texas. He has been volunteering to bring the Indian community together in America for close to four decades now and has won several awards and accolades along the way.
The humanitarian and changemaker is the founder and chairman of the Foundation for India Studies (FIS), a 16-year-old non-profit, whose signature initiative ‘Indo-American Oral History Project’ won the 2019 Mary Fay Barnes Award for Excellence.
Tryst with Gandhi
A strong believer in promoting peace and racial harmony, Vavilala has participated in several Martin Luther King (MLK) Jr. parades, dressed as Mahatma Gandhi. A trend he began in 2006 ‘to bring Indian and Black communities together and to spread the message of peace and nonviolence, which both the leaders – MLK and Gandhi followed’. ” Martin Luther King Jr fought for the civil rights and then adopted Gandhiji’s principles of non violence,” he tells.
“I must be one of the very few people in America who has seen Gandhi in person,” he laughs. “The memory of me as a nine-year-old seeing Gandhi during his visit to Rajahmundry, my home town in 1946, is still stuck in my mind,” he remarks.
Krishna Vavilala dressed as Gandhi at MLK Parade, 2006
My grandmother had taken my two sisters and me on a bullock cart to see Mahatma Gandhi. The train on which he had arrived moved back and forth to give everybody an opportunity to see the Mahatma.
Still mesmerised by the experience, Vavilala has tried to keep Gandhi relevant in Houston over the years. The childhood experience left such an indelible mark on him that the immigrant Samaritan later proposed the idea of installation of a Gandhi statue at Herman Park, Houston – first in a peace rally and then to the board of the India Culture Centre. “There should be a statue of Mahatma Gandhi as a constant reminder of peace in a cowboy state like Texas,” he proposed. Not only was his idea readily accepted but he also got appointed as the Project Chair in 2003.
“It took me a year to raise $23,000 for the project,” he says. Though he had budgeted the project cost to be not less than $50,000, since ICCR accepted his request of sponsoring the statue cost and Air India flew it free of cost, Vavilala was able to make his dream come true in half of the budgeted amount.
Krishna Vavilala with Gandhi Statue at Herman Park, Houstan – a dream come true
“Millions of tourists from across the world, who come to Houston, have seen the statue and paid their tributes to the Mahatma,” he mentions.
The humble beginnings
Since Vavilala’s father never had a paid job, he and his two sisters grew up in a household with limited means. “I studied in the light of the paraffin lamp,” he says, adding, “I have bought one such lamp in a store here to show my children, ‘this is how your dad studied’.”
Until he went to college, there was no electricity in the house. As an inquisitive student, he was always interested in science and technology, especially physics.
Krishna Vavilala at the Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award Ceremony
“Though I was a science student, I was a thinker, always reflecting on the issues related to the society at large.” Caste system and dowry was something that Vavilala was vocal about. “When I was in high school, I wrote about what a menace dowry was and how people indulging in it should be punished and sent to jail.” It got published, and to the utter surprise of the entire family, a ₹15 money-order landed as stipend to his doorstep.
Vavilala went on to study electrical engineering at BITS Pilani. Talking about it, he mentions, “I am proud of my alma mater, which is a premier institute of India. I was in one of its early batches,1956-1960.”
The people’s man
Although, a retired engineer, Krishna Vavilala addresses himself, a ‘sociologist’. He loves people, spends time listening and telling stories and takes deep interest in understanding others’ problems.
Making a difference is very important for every human being. This planet gives us so many opportunities to serve society – Krishna Vavilala
Krishna Vavilala with FIS participants of MLK Parade, 2019
A volunteer for strengthening civic engagement, Vavilala has played an instrumental role in starting the celebration of Indian American Heritage Day in Houston in collaboration with Houston Public library.
Foundation for India Studies
Vavilala established Foundation for India Studies (FIS) in 2005 as a non-profit with a vision to promote knowledge about India’s contribution in the field of languages, literature, arts, sciences, engineering, politics, economics and spirituality.
The Foundation’s first successful project was the India Studies program at the University of Houston, instituted in 2006. The program, which initially began with Hindi language courses and classes in Hinduism and Jainism, went on to expand to 12 courses and was funded by the university itself. Students taking these courses were awarded a minor certificate in India Studies.
Krishna Vavilala with University of Houstan, President and Chancellor
FIS initiated several other measures to keep the value of Indian culture intact amongst Indian immigrants and Houstonians in general like – lectures, seminars, conferences, workshops, town hall meetings and student and faculty exchange programmes.
Since Indian diaspora is becoming bigger and bigger, it needs organisations like Foundation for Indian Studies to help them stay connected – Krishna Vavilala
FIS members routinely participate in the annual MLK Grande Parade. It attracts a large crowd and millions of views on TV and digital media. “MLK Parade Grand Marshall Award was awarded to FIS in 2015, which is a matter of great pride,” says the FIS founder.
Krishna Vavilala leading the FIS parade, dressed as Gandhi
FIS has expanded the India Studies programme at Texas Southern University, and remains committed to commemorating Gandhi and Dr King’s legacies of non-violence and peaceful co-existence.
Curating life stories
“Human stories are very diverse and interesting. They are fantastic. No matter which part of the globe you are in, you have a story to tell,” Vavilala believes. With this in mind, he embarked on the journey of the ‘Indo-American Oral History Project’ in 2011 which focuses on recording life stories of first-generation Indian immigrants to Houston. “Most of the early immigrants came to the country in the sixties and seventies and had humble beginnings.”
The project was started in partnership with Houston Public Library (HPL) and Houston Community College (HCC). “Life stories and experiences of the Indo-Americans living in Houston are recorded through their interviews.” The video recordings as well as the transcripts are being stored for posterity in Houston Metropolitan Research Centre’s digital archives.
Krishna Vavilala at the launch of Oral History Project with University of Houston President, Dr Renu Khator and other FIS members
Vavilala’s own story is nothing short of an inspiration. The man, who landed in the US with just a suitcase, and a few dollars, without knowing anyone there; worked his way up the corporate ladder. Building a good life for himself and his family, he eventually became a strong pillar for the entire Indian community in Houston by bringing them together through several social initiatives.
“It’s an ongoing project to create a resource for the future generation so that they can trace back their roots and understand how they came to the foreign land”, he tells.
By going through the archives of the Indo-American Oral History Project, the younger generation would be able to learn about the backgrounds of their fathers and forefathers and understand how those people are reason behind their well-being in America – Krishna Vavilala
Popular Houstonian
Vavilala has served in senior leadership positions in a number of organisations and non-profits including President of the American Society of Indian Engineers, President of Telugu Cultural Association, Houston and President of Telugu Literary and Cultural Association.
Krishna Vavilala shares stage with Rajiv Gandhi (the then PM of India ) and Sonia Gandhi during their visit to Houstan in 1985
“You just get going deeper and deeper,” he talks about his whirlwind of social engagements. Vavilala was part of many significant contingents – Whether it was sharing stage with Rajiv Gandhi, who visited Houstan or representing FM1960 area, as Secretary of the Precinct at 1996 Democratic Party State Convention held in Dallas, which was attended by Hillary Clinton.
He has received several awards and accolades from organisations like the Indo-American Chamber of Commerce of Greater Houston, the Indo-American Press Club, and US Customs and Border Protection Agency.
On August 15, 2021, on the occasion of the 75th Anniversary of India’s Independence, the humanitarian was honoured with India Culture Center’s lifetime achievement award from Stafford City Mayor.
Krishna Vavilala honoured with India Culture Center’s lifetime achievement award from Stafford City Mayor in 2021
Life Abroad
After getting trained at BITS Pilani, the Andhra Pradesh boy got his first job at Tata Iron and Steel Company, Jamshedpur and later moved to Calcutta and worked for MN Dastur & Co. His boss recommended him to work in the UK. Vavilala moved there for six years. It was in the UK that both his daughters, Monica and Amanda were born. “Since my parents were getting old, I came back to India for them. Had they relocated to Calcutta from Rajahmundry to stay with me, perhaps I would not have not thought of my next stint abroad, but they did not want to permanently leave their hometown,” he remarks.
The turmoil and economic crisis of West Bengal in the 70s led him to seek a better life, and he made a move to the US. Spending early days at the YMCA hostel in Manhattan, leaving his family behind in India, Vavilala worked hard. Later his family joined him, and they moved to Houston in 1981. Some years later, Vavilala was sent to Saudi Arabia by his organisation, where he worked on a project for three years.
Krishna Vavilala and his wife Prabhat Lakshmi Vavilala at the installation ceremony of Gandhi statue at Herman Park, Houston
Over the years, Vavilala has not just tried to excel professionally but has been super involved in the various social initiatives. Talking about the US Presidential Lifetime Achievement award, he mentions, “I was able to do whatever I wanted to because of Lakshmi, my wife of 61 years. This award is for her.” She created an environment for him to work on his life’s calling. “All I had to do was to earn the paycheque,” he smiles adding, “We led a life of a traditional Indian family here.”
All that the Samaritan hopes is that the younger Indo-Americans, who were born in America, feel proud of their Indian heritage and continue to pass it on to their children and grandchildren, something that he has indulged in, over the years.
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