Kerala Women in Traditional Dress Lighting the Lamp 
at the Kerala Center's Independence Day and Onam Celebrations




 

Kerala Center Honors Nassau County District Court Judge John Marks. 
From L. to R.: Kerala Center President E.M. Stephen, 
Archana Philip ( Master of Ceremony ), NIAASC President Rajeshwar Prasad,
 Attorney Alpa Sanghvi, Judge Messala, Patricia Marks, Judge John Marks, 
Kerala Center Joint Secretary Raju Thomas and FOKANA President George Koshy.







     The Indian American Kerala Cultural and Civic Center in Elmont, LIsland
     celebrated Indian Independence Day and Onam with speeches by dignitaries,
     dance, music and an Onam feast. The program started with lighting of 
     the lamp followed by American and Indian National Anthems sung by Kerala Center's
     Malayalam School.

     The more than three hour long program began with the lighting of the
     traditional lamp by women dressed in Kerala's traditional dress. Cinematic,
     classical, and folk dances were performed by students of Kerala Center's
     Dance School. Among those who delighted the audience with their brilliant
     performances included Tanya Mattom, Christy Thottam, Ashley Mattom, and
     other students of Malayalam School. Songs by Litto Joseph, Annie Esthappan, 
     and Sajin John brought out the best in these young and talented artists. 

     In his welcome address, Raju Thomas, Chairman of the Celebration Committee, 
     briefly gave an overview of the Center's activities. Archana Philip, the master 
     of ceremony, told the audience of the importance of celebrating India's 55th 
     Independence Day and Onam.

     The best of the speeches were by two high school students, Nisha Thayil  and
     Elizabeth Vazhapallil, who delivered the keynote addresses. Nisha Thayil, in
     her eloquent speech said, "We are Indians first and then, belong to our
     ethnic subgroups based on religion, language etc." She underscored the need
     for "respect to all religions and to every individual, irrespective of one's
     background." Thayil spoke of the need to defeat the forces of communalism
     and to build a united India and called upon every Indian to make India a
     strong and vibrant democracy, contributing to the growth of all its people.

     Elizabeth Vazhapallil, another young student, in her keynote address, gave
     an outline of what Kerala Center does and urged everyone to support its many
     programs and activities aimed at helping the Indian community to grow as a
     vibrant community that is able to contribute to the society's well-being. 
     She also stated that the actual reason of the Independence day celebration
     is to acknowledge and honor the hard work, dedication and sacrifice made by 
     many Indian leaders for the freedom.

     Other speakers included Councilman Anthony J. Santino of the Town of Hempstead, 
     Abey Kuriakose, a visiting Congress Party leader from Kerala, and FOKANA President 
     George Koshy. Abey Kuriakose, in his address said, "I was so impressed by the NRIs 
     across the US and I am proud of the ways they work hard and contribute to the growth
     of their adopted country." He said, he appreciated them for "carrying on and spreading
     the culture of Kerala wherever they went." He appealed to them to contribute towards 
     research and education back home in Kerala.

     Rajeshwar Prasad, President National Indian American Asscociation for Senior Citizens
     (NIAAC) spoke on social security benefits available as one reaches to the retirment age.
     "Social Security is more than a Retirement Program," said Rajeshwar Prasad. "It provides 
     you and your family with an  insurance package of Disability, Retirement and Survivor
     Protection." NIAAC has been functioning at the Kerala Center for the last four years.

     Dr. Thomas Abraham, President of GOPIO, in his brief address, spoke  about what Kerala 
     Center stands for. He said, the Kerala Center has expanded  its activities to serve the
     whole Indian community, and highlighted the services for senior citizens, counseling 
     services, Malayalam language classes,  and tuition in Maths, Computer and SAT.

     Various seminars are conducted ranging from political to investment in addition to many 
     Civic and Cultural activities taking place on a regular basis at the Kerala Center. 
     The Center has also been providing platform for various political leaders to have 
     political awareness and campaign  meeting with the Indian community. Not leaving out
     the important religious factor, the Center has become a forum for various religious 
     activities and celebration for the members of the center who represent Hindu, Muslim and
     different denominations of Christianity.

     The common celebrations organized by Kerala Center is "a way of cherishing the rich 
     Indian cultural heritage and calling upon the young and the  old Indian Americans to 
     remember with gratitude their motherland, and fulfill their responsibilities towards 
     India," said Thomas Abraham, Chairman of the Kerala Center's Board of Directors.

     As in previous years, the Kerala Center honored a local Nassau County political leader
     for service to the community. This year's award went to  Nassau County District Criminal
     Court Judge John Marks. Judge Marks  praised the Indian community for their contribution 
     to Nassau County and New  York State. The award was presented by Kerala Center President 
     E.M. Stephen.

     Under the leadership of E. M. Stephen, the Indian American Kerala  Cultural and Civic 
     Center was formed as a non-profit organization in 1990. With three years of fund raising
     campaign, The Kerala Center was inaugurated in 1993 by Padmashri Yesudas and is the only
     Civic and Community Center in U.S. for Indian American Malayalees. Over the years, 
     The Kerala Center has  become a focal point to coordinate activities and services to the 
     Indian American community in the New York region, not only for Malayalees but for the entire
     Indian community. In the words of EM Stephen, President of the Kerala Center, is "to achieve 
     a proper balance between our country and heritage. We must not forget our heritage and our
     responsibilities toward our country," he added.


 


========More Photos======== 
 
    

First column: Songs by Sajin John, Litto Joseph and Annie Esthappan 
   Second Column: Speeches by Nisha Thayil  and Eizabeth Vazhapallil
   Third Column: Single Dances Ashley Mattom and Tanya Mattom

 

Singing National Anthems by Malayalam School Children

Group Dance by Christ Thottom and Party of Kerala Center Dance School

Audience participate in singing Naitonal Anthems