Indian American Kerala Cultural and Civic Center
This is the internet version of the Kerala Center News letter. Vol.1 , 2002
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Indian American Kerala Cultural and Civic Center This is the internet version of the Kerala Center News letter. Vol.1 , 2002 |
12th Anniversary
GUJARAT - A Call for Action
Reception for Miss India USA - Miss. Stacy Isaac
Activities @ Kerala Center
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Miss. Stacy Isaac ( Florida ), the Miss. India USA for 2001 was given a warm reception at the Kerala Center. The India Festival Committee has been holding this Beauty Pageant for 20 years, and Stacy is the first Keralite to win the contest. She was accompanied by her father Mr. Thomas Isaac and her sisters Sheryl, Shirly and Stephany. She was felicitated by Varghese Therekkara, Rajeshwar Prasad, Raju Thomas and Chrismol Alex. G. Mathai presented her a Plaque of Congratulation from the Center, while Mrs. Sarah Thalappillil gave her a Sovereign sponsered by Maharani Jewelers. As Stacy came on Stage wearing the Beauty Queen's Diadem and winsome smile, the whole audiance beamed with pride. mr. Jose Chummar Korakkudilil, who MC ed the ceremony specially congratulated Mr. Dharmatma Sharan, theIndia Festival committe Chairman who was also present on the occation. Ales Kidarathil said the welcome speech and James Thottam said the Vote of Thanks. In her reply speech, stacy spoke of the need to take part in contest like beauty pageant. she did well at the Q.A. session, too. |
Shrikumar Poddar, a community activist from Lansing, Michigan was on a Tour of the East Coast cities to mobilize support for the riot victims in Gujarat. After addressing meetings in Washington, Poddar had three Meetings in New York. A meeting organized at the Indian American Kerala Cultural And Civic Center condemned the inaction of Gujarat government in stopping The Gujarat riots. Poddar said that the violence was perpetuated in an organized way with the help of state machinery and called upon an enquiry commission by a Sitting judge and to punish all those including officials who are responsible for the riots. Another speaker, Mr. Prakash Parekh, an attorney and a Community leader who was in Jamnagar during the riots said that for 48 hours, there was complete breakdown of law and order and it was a free for all in connivance of the state administration. After learning the atrocities committed by the mob, Parekh felt for the first time that it was not his country. However, Parekh said there were some honest police officers who took a strong stand to stop the riots, as example to the DSP of Jamnagar who told rioters to pack off. The meeting endorsed that there should be efforts from all levels, Government and community, to heal the wounds with Hindus and Muslims united with members of other faiths. A national steering committee to monitor the situation was created and will be based in New York with local affiliations in all the principal cities of the United States. The task of this group will be to build a national and international network to promote communal harmony in India and to prevent recurrence of such incidents in the future. Counterpart groups will be identified in India for both relief, rehabilitation, justice and developing Sadbhavana Groups throughout India. The meeting passed the following resolutions: PROTECT Life And Property Of All Citizens Regardless Of Their Religion. GIVE Relief & Rehabilitation Assistance And Compensation For Loss Of Life And Property Without Any Discrimination Whatsoever. PUNISH All Perpetrators Of Heinous Crimes Against Innocent Men, Women And Children And Everyone Who Supported Them Including Government Officials, Police Officials, Politicians Regardless Of Rank Or Position UponConviction. URGE Citizens Of Throughout The Country To Form Sadbhavana Committees with members from each Faith To Prevent Any More Loss Of Innocent Lives Or Looting Of Property. PUBLISH Full And Impartial Report Within Thirty Days About The Failure Of Gujarat Government to Protect Lives. A riot victims' fund has been set up. One could make a tax-deductible contribution to International Service Society, A Humanitarian Service of Vaishnava Center for Enlightenment, 2601 Cochise Lane, Okemos, MI 48864-2055, Tel: 1-888-511-7341 |
The Kerala Center 
