Atlanta, GA, October 14, 2024: “The kids in India have won today. It does not matter if I won or not,” said Shiv Udutha when asked by a fellow participant if he had secured a prize. This sentiment captured the essence of the day—not just a celebration of individual achievements, but a collective commitment to making a positive impact on the world. That is the core mission of Vibha. This spirit was clearly visible on the faces of nearly 3,000 participants and volunteers who gathered for the 26th Annual Dream Mile on September 15th. For the record, Udutha did win—securing second place in the Men’s 5K Walk!
Rama R, co-lead of Dream Mile 2024, draws inspiration from Ray Goforth’s words: “There are two types of people who will tell you that you cannot make a difference in this world: those who are afraid to try and those who are afraid you will succeed.” Viewing himself as a foot soldier, Rama feels he is able to contribute to this massive effort to transform the future of underprivileged children.
Held every year in mid-September, the Half-Marathon/10K/5K Run/Walk has become one of Atlanta’s most anticipated events, attracting both competitive runners and casual walkers alike. Building on the success of the Silver Jubilee event in 2023, this year’s Dream Mile welcomed 2,800 participants, 400 volunteers, and 40 sponsors, raising an impressive $350,000. These funds will make a lasting difference, supporting underprivileged children and creating opportunities for a brighter future. Locally, Vibha is excited to contribute to building a STEM lab at the International Community School in Decatur, which will benefit over 500 students annually.
The Dream Mile is much more than a race—it’s a major social event, especially for the Indian community in Forsyth and Johns Creek. It offered participants a chance to reconnect with old friends and network with local businesses and organizations in the sponsor section. Notable attendees, including Gopi Thotakura, the first Indian space tourist, inspired many high schoolers contemplating their future career paths. Pramod Sajja, CEO and President of Paramount Software Solutions, the title sponsor of the DreamMile, Ramesh Maturu, President of Pyramid Consulting, the event sponsor for the 5K Walk, and Sheriff Ron Freeman spoke about their long association with Vibha and DreamMile. Srikanth Adumula, Vice President of Datum Technologies. Ganesh Krishnakumar, SVP of Equifax, Preeti Desai, SVP of Equifax, Cecelia Mao, Chief Product Office of Equifax, and Henry Rutherford, CIO of Department of Corrections, State of GA spoke briefly before giving away prizes to the winners.
Pramod Sajja presided over presenting a check for $50,000 from Vibha to International Community School to establish a STEM lab at the school. Ramesh Maturu presented a check of $20,000 on behalf of Vibha to Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta.
Helena Randall and Vanessa Sanchez Monge won the Half-Marathon for women in Below-40 and Above-40 age categories respectively. Daniel Chang won the Half-Marathon in Men Below-40 category and Ankit Patel took the honors in Above-40 category. Pratima Yellayi and James Baxter won the 10K Run Overall in Women and Men categories respectively. Mona Reddy won the 5K Run Overall in Women category and Suraj Edara took the prize in the Overall Men category. Nikke Patel and Yaswanth Jonnalagadda won the first prize in 5K Walk Women and Men Overall categories respectively.
The event’s success was the result of extensive behind-the-scenes planning to ensure everything ran smoothly on race day. Despite some unpredictable weather, all races started on time, and the day unfolded seamlessly. Volunteers played a crucial role, managing everything from course monitoring to water stations, start and finish lines, and even providing CPR-certified support.
The enthusiasm at the Vibha booth was a testament to the ongoing support from the Atlanta community. This event could not have succeeded without their continued generosity. Through your support, Vibha is helping shape young minds, empowering children with access to education in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM).
Balaji Iyer co lead of DreamMile says “Dream Mile is more than just a run—it’s a celebration of the power of community coming together to make a difference. When we unite for a common cause, we create ripples of impact that uplift underprivileged children and pave the way for a brighter future”
At Vibha Atlanta, we are incredibly grateful to have such remarkable volunteers. Vibha recognized Balaji Iyer with the “Volunteer of the Year” award for his leadership and commitment. Vibha also recognized Seema Pillay and Pankaj Zanke with the “Star Volunteer” awards for their contributions. Vibha encourages the youth to be more active in local volunteering through Vibha clubs in their respective schools. Radhesh Gupta was awarded the “Youth Volunteer of the Year” and Radhika Kulkarni and Kyle Yan were awarded the Youth Star Volunteer of the Awards. Their dedication drives our success and helps us make a real difference in children’s lives. If you’re inspired by their stories, we invite you to join our amazing group. We promise you’ll have fun while making a meaningful impact!
Please visit www.vibha.org for more information.
