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ഫോമാ: രണ്ടു വര്‍ഷത്തെ പ്രവര്‍ത്തനം വിലയിരുത്തുമ്പോള്‍: ബിനോയ് തോമസ്‌

Published on 31 July, 2012
ഫോമാ: രണ്ടു വര്‍ഷത്തെ പ്രവര്‍ത്തനം വിലയിരുത്തുമ്പോള്‍: ബിനോയ് തോമസ്‌

A report on FOMAA’s major accomplishment

            Benoy Thomas, General Secretary

FOMAA Website:

Redesigned the FOMAA website. Uploaded a “Staying Safe” paper along with helpful information tips for the new arrivals, as well as the general immigrant community.

National Committee Meetings:

National Committee has to meet only once in three months. However, FOMAA is exceeding this requirement. We had National Committee meetings on July 4, August 26,October 30, 2010,  March 13, April 14, May 8, June 11,July 14, 2011,October 30, 2011, December 30, 2011, April 2, 2012 and June 11, 212.This reflects the importance given to the National Committee by the Executive Officers.

General Body Meetings:

FOMAA’s General Body meetings were held on October30, 2010 and October 15, 2011, in Floral Park, New York. During the 2011 General Body meeting, election was held to appoint the Judicial Council.

Membership:

Three membership applications were received. One application met the membership qualification and the organization was admitted to FOMAA during the  National Committee on October 15. Other two applications for membership were disqualified by Credentials and Bylaw Committee.

Additionally, three  more associations shown keen interest to join FOMAA; however, due to opposition from associations in the same region,who are already members of FOMAA, the executive committee could not entertain their interest to applying for FOMAA membership.

FOMAA Helpline:

FOMAA Helpline has been streamlined to make it user-friendly. During this reporting period, FOMAA has successfully raised money towards Saramma Thomas’ family assistance fund, Jojo Sidhardhan’s treatment fund and Seena Thomas’ education fund, and Joby Thomas’ family assistance fund . These funds have been distributed.

Additionally, we raised fund for sponsoring the distribution of lunch at a few hospitals (Government Hospital, Konni; Government Thaluk Hospital, Nadapuram; and Government Hospital, Mannar) for underprivileged patients in central Kerala. We were able to raise enough money to cover the cost for a year-long free lunch program at these hospitals.

 

MalayalathinuOrupidy Dollar:

“Malayalathinu Orupidi Dolllar” is a new initiative of the Federation of the Malayalee Associations of Americas (FOMAA). Its objective is to promote the Malayalam language, and Kerala culture and history. FOMAA’s National Advisory Council officers are responsible for implementing this initiative.

Current FOMAA National Advisory Council Chairman Raju Varghese is the chairman of the MOD Project Committee; Council Vice Chairman C. K. George is its vice chairman; Secretary Easow Sam Oommen serves as the project’s secretary and Council Joint Secretary Jose Abraham is the joint secretary. FOMAA Joint Treasurer Ipe Maret will provide the financial oversight, along with FOMAA Treasurer Feisal Edward.

Other members of the committee are Mr. Willie John Jacob, Mr. Gopinatha Kurup, Mr. Philip Madathil, Mrs. Jessy Parathundil and Mr. Pradeep Nair. Eleven FOMAA Regional Vice Presidents assist the MOD Project Committee with fundraising.

Objectives of the MOD Project are as follows:

Provide scholarships to students at Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam

Providing scholarships to students enrolled at M.G. University’s B.A., M.A. and M. Phil in Malayalam programs is one of the project’s objectives. The MOD committee works with the University to find suitable candidates and offer scholarships. The MOD Committee has sanctioned a budget of rupees 2 lakhs (approximately $3,500.00) toward the scholarships. These scholarships will be awarded at FOMAA’s Kerala Convention in 2012.

 

The first Malayalathinu Orupidy Dollar awards were distributed on January 14, 2012, by Hon. Revenue Minister Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan, at the 3rd FOMAA Kerala Convention in Kottayam. FOMAA President John Uralil presided over the function. Raju Varghese, Advisory Board Chairman, delivered the welcome speech and Mr. Madhavan Nair, former General Secretary of Kerala Sahithya Academy, was the keynote speaker. Felicitation speech was delivered by Easow Sam Oommen, Secretary of the Advisory Board, and FOMAA Joint Treasurer Ipe Maret proposed the vote of thanks.

The winners of the First Malayalathinu Orupidy Dollar were:

Neethu Valson, B.A. Malayalam (U.C. College, Alwaye)

Arathi P. Nair, M.A. Malayalam (Nirmala College, Muvattupuzha)

Ashamol, S., M Phil. Malayalam (M.G. University Campus, Kottayam)

Varsha Thampi, MA Journalism (M.G. University Campus, Kottayam)

Each winner received a scholarship in the amount of Rs. 50,000.

 

Teach Malayalam language and Kerala history in American universities

Promotion of Malayalam language, and Kerala culture and history courses at university level in USA is an important goal of the project. A few universities that offered such courses in the past were forced to discontinue them due to lack of funds. The MOD committee will explore the feasibility of teaching Malayalam in select universities, with college-level credits. FOMAA is in discussion with Rutgers University to explore the possibility of teaching Malayalam at the school.

 

Donate Malayalam books

The MOD Project Committee encourages donation of Malayalam books to public libraries all over the country. At the moment, very few libraries in North America have Malayalam books in their collection. Donation of Malayalam books will greatly benefit those interested in reading Malayalam books. FOMAA is partnering with Deecee Books, the leading publisher in Kerala, to implement this project. FOMAA has donated Malayalam books to Yonkers public library in New York and Howard County Public Library in Maryland.

National Literary Competitions

FOMAA conducted a national-level Malayalam Literary Writing Competition for the residents of USA and Canada. Following are the winners in different categories:

 

Malayalam Short Story (Cherukatha)

First prize: Mr. Raju Chiramannil

Second prize: Mr. Abdul Punnayoorkulam

 

Malayalam Poem (Kavitha)

First prize: Mrs. Mariyamma George

Second prize: Mr. George Nadavayal

 

Malayalam Essay (Lekhanam)

First prize: Mr. George Nadavayal

Second prize: Mrs. Sheeba Jose

 

The winners will receive a cash award and a memento.

 

The panel of judges consisted of Mr. Cherian K Cherian, Mr. J. Mathews, Mr. George Thumbayil, Mr. Abraham Thekkemury, Mr. Jose Ochalil, Mr. Joseph Nambimadam, Mr. Vasudev Pulickal and Mrs. Priya Unnikrishnan.

 

Bridging of the Minds

Bridging of the Minds is a new FOMAA initiative. Its objective is to promote “knowledge exchange” between Kerala and North America.

Malayalees began immigrating to North America in significant numbers in the 1970s. A large number of Keralites who came to the United States and Canada in the ’70s and ’80s were healthcare professionals. A second wave of immigration from Kerala occurred in the 1990s, when thousands of information technology professionals came to North America.

In Kerala, both waves of emigration were seen as “brain drains” because of the large-scale loss of technical skills and knowledge. But now, with the Malayalee population that came in the ’70s reaching retirement age and those that came in subsequent decades at the height of their professional careers, FOMAA sees a unique opportunity to turn that “brain drain” into a “brain gain” by facilitating the reconnection of these highly talented and trained groups to Kerala through the Bridging of the Minds initiative.

Here are some of the activities that FOMAA is planning under Bridging of the Minds:

When Malayalee professionals from North America visit Kerala, they will share their expertise with professionals in Kerala in the same field through training sessions and seminars.

Promote online and other virtual interactions between Malayalee professionals in North America and their counterparts in Kerala. For instance, brain surgeons in North America can constantly share their expertise with colleagues in Kerala through an online forum, listserv and video conferencing.

Connect students/professionals that are looking for higher education/training opportunities with the right institutions and professionals.

Create a resource bank of experts in various fields. They can serve as experts for government and nongovernmental organizations in Kerala.

Encourage children born in the United States and Canada to visit Kerala and spend time there as part of an initiative known as “Know Kerala.”

FOMAA’s partner in Kerala on Bridging of the Minds is the Kerala International Center, a reputed think-tank headed by Hon. Ambassador T.P. Sreenivasan. Hon. Shashi Tharoor, Hon. K.P.S. Menon and Justice Hariharan Nair are members of the Center’s Board of Trustees.

As a part of this initiative, FOMAA held the Professionals Summit of Keralites 2011 at Sheraton Suites in Chicago on June 11, 2011, in association with North America-based professional bodies such as AKMG, KITA, MEANA, NAINA, ISWA, IPC, MRA and MEGA.

Speakers included Ambassador Srinivasan, P.Chandrasekharan IPS, Dr. M.V. Pillai, Dr. Ann Kalayil, Dr. Javad Hassan, Dr. Tojo Thachenkery, Dr. Sreedhar Kavil, T.D. Sivakumar, Antony Satyadas, Dr. Narendra Kumar, Dr. Arvind Pillai, Dr. Solymol Kuruvilla, George Joseph, Santhosh Kurian, Johnson Myalil, Tissy Najravellil, John Titus, Varghese Chacko, P.S. Nair, Vinson Palathingal and George Koshy.

Mr. George Abraham was the chairman and Mr. Gladson was the co-chair of the conference. The event was inaugurated by Hon. Ramesh Chennithala.

On January 14, 2011, FOMAA organized the second conference of the Bridging of the Minds initiative in Kerala. It was held at the Mammen Mappillai Hall, Kottayam during the 3rd International Convention of FOMAA. Ambassador T. P. Sreenivasan, who is also the Vice Chairman of the Kerala Educational Council, served as the moderator. Waste management, health care and education cooperation under the framework of the recent US-India education agreement were the subjects discussed at the conference. The panelists included:

VD Satheesan, MLA; Dr. Prem Nair, Director, Amrita Institute; Dr. Jose Chacko Periyapuram, Chief Cardiac Surgeon, Lisie Hospital; Rod Proto, Waste Management Expert (USA); Dr. AKB Pillai, Columbia University; Sunny Kallur, Kottayam Municipal Chairman; George Abraham, Former UN Chief Information Technology Officer and President of Kerala IT Alliance; and Dr. Jacob Eapen, Washington Hospital Healthcare System, California, were the panelists.

FOMAA President John Uralil presided over the conference and General Secretary Benoy Thomas delivered the introductory remarks. Treasurer Shaji Edward proposed the vote of thanks. The conference was received well by the participants, which included students from various campuses, members of the academia  and media and a number of politicians.

We believe this was the signature event of FOMAA’s 2010- 2012 committee. We received accolades from various individuals with special mention to Mr. Venkat Ramakrishnan, 2009 Nobel Prize winner and 2010 Padma Bhushan winner. As a part of this initiative, FOMAA is currently working with the Government of Kerala to establish a Human Virology Institute in Kerala, in collaboration with the Baltimore-based Institute of Human Virology, founded and headed by the renowned scientist Dr. Robert C. Gallo. (He co-discovered HIV as the cause of AIDS.) In a region like Kerala, where several viral illnesses wreak havoc, such an institute would be a real asset.

FOMAA Volunteer Work

FOMAA Capital Region organized charity volunteer work at the Missionaries of Charity Gift of Home in Baltimore on Saturday, July 9, 2011. The volunteers helped the homeless residents by cleaning their rooms and premises and assisted them with their other needs. FOMAA president John Uralil, former President John Titus and General Secretary Benoy Thomas also participated in this event.

Convention 2012

FOMAA reached an agreement with Carnival Glory to hold our 2012 convention aboard the cruise liner. The “Convention-at-Sea” will start on August 1, 2012. We will depart at 5 p.m. from New York. There will be two stops: St. John and Halifax. We will return to New York on August 6, at 8 a.m. Carnival Glory, one of the best-rated ships, can have up to 3,000 passengers. So far the only Malayalee organization to hold similar convention is AKMG.

Convention Sponsors

As of this reporting period, there are twelve (12) sponsors for the Convention 2012.

Convention Committee 

As promised, we were able to announce the first round of the Convention Committee a year in advance of the convention date. We have 22 committees comprise of 101 convention committee members, currently working towards the success of the convention.

FOMAA News

Two editions of the FOMAA News have been printed .Both editions printed 11,500 copies each. We mailed FOMAA News copies to 10,500 households. Rest was distributed at the various events. First edition was sponsored by New York Metro and Empire State Regions and the second by Central Region and Great Lake regions.

Talent Competition

The FOMAA talent competition 2012 will take place during the  "Convention at Sea" on board  the Carnival Glory from August 1 to 6 2012.

Kerala Convention

FOMAA’s 3rd Kerala Convention was held Mammen Mappilai Hall, Kottayam on January 14, 2012. It was a historical convention by any measure, with dozens of prominent political leaders and leading intellectuals and professionals participating in it.


The fact that we were able to have the Overseas Indian Affairs Minister Vayalar Ravi inaugurate the convention and Chief Minister Oommen Chandy inaugurate the concluding session speaks volumes about FOMAA’s stature.

Additionally, we were able to line up a bevy of state ministers, MPs, MLAs, political, cultural and social leaders, such as Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan, Ramesh Chennithala, Anto Antony, Jose K. Mani, PJ Kurien, Suresh Kurup, M. Vijaya Kumar, N.K. Premachandran, Raju Abraham,Monse Joseph, Roshy Augustine, M. Muali, V.N. Vasavan, Thomas Chazhikadan, Simmy Rosebell John, Muncipal Chairman Sunny Kallur, District Panchayath President Radaha V Nair, NSS Thaluk Union President Balakrishna Pillai, Kerala State Film Development Corporation Chairman Sabu Cherian, Ambassador T.P. Sreenivasan, Film Director Blessy, Playback Singer G. Venugopal and Actress Lakshmy Gopalaswamy, to name a few. Leaders from both political spectrum, the LDF and the UDF, were represented at the convention.

The convention was very well covered in the media. We want to specially highlight the partnership we developed with Malayala Manorama, which joined hands with us on the "Malayalathinu Orupidy Dollar" project. It even created a mini website online.

The Kerala Convention was sponsored by, among others, George Mathew (Philadelphia), Raju Varghese (New Jersey), Eric Shoes (New York) Rajan Jewellery and Sree Vijayalakshmi Silks, Thiruvalla.

Among other projects, FOMAA donated money to an individual in Kallara to build a house. Through a member association, the Malayalee Association of Rockland County, we distributed funds for the “Eye for Blind” project.

Regional Conventions

Our regional conventions took place between October 2011 and May 212. It began with New York Metro Regional convention October 22, 2011 and ended with Washington Capital region on May 5, 2012. Union Minister E. Ahmed inaugurated the New York regional convention and Maryland’s Indian Origin Deputy Secretary of State Rajan Natarajan was the keynote speaker at the Capital Region’s convention.

FOMAA Medical Camp

On May 11, 2012  FOMAA organized a successful medical camp in the rural village of Chittar in the Pathanamthitta District. Once again, it was a proud moment for FOMAA to be able to deliver much-needed health care to rural Kerala, in partnership with Muthoot Medical Center. Over 500 patients were benefitted from this medical camp.


Pravasi Bharatiya Divas

A FOMAA delegation attended the PBD, which was held in New Delhi on January 7-9, 2011. FOMAA delegation also attended  PBD 2012 which took  place in Jaipur from January 7 to 9.

Congressional Luncheon and White House Briefing

A FOMAA delegation participated in the Congressional Luncheon and White House briefing organized by the National Federation of Indian Associations (NFIA) on September 15 and 16, 2011 and June 7 and 8 2012 in Washington, D.C.

Embassy and Consulates and Pravasi Issues

The FOMAA Leadership was always in the frontline to address various issues and concerns affecting the Indian American community in North America. On August 15, 2010 a delegation met with New York Consulate General Hon. Prabhu Dayal and Head of the Chancery Mr. Pramod Bajaj. It raised various issues affecting the Malayalee  community that comes under the New York consulate’s jurisdiction.

In October 2010, a FOMAA delegation met with Hon. Ambassador Meera Shankar to raise the community’s concerns about direct taxation code and re-entry permit. The voting rights issue was also discussed.

In October 2010, a  FOMA delegation met with India’s Defense Minister A.K. Antony, in Washington, D.C., during his visit to USA and raised our concerns on the above mentioned issues.

In November 2010, FOMAA Executives met with K.C. Venugopal, M.P., and brought to his attention the concerns and issues of the community.

In January 2011, a FOMAA delegation met with Union Ministers A.K. Antony, Vayalar Ravi and K.V. Thomas in New Delhi. Additionally, the delegation met with Anto Antony, M.P., Kodikunnil Suresh, M.P., and Jose K. Mani, M.P., to discuss various issues affecting the Pravasi Indian community.

The same delegation also met with the Kerala’s then-Chief Minister V.S. Achudanandan, ministers Premachandran, K.V. Surendranad, Jose Thettayil and Binoy Viswam. They also met with then opposition leaders Oommen Chandy, G. Karthikeyan, K. Muraleedharan, M.Murali, Thomas Chazhikadan and Monse Joseph.

In February 2011, the FOMAA Secretary met with Dr. Didar Singh, Secretary, Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs, and aired our community’s concerns. FOMAA’s representation on Direct Taxation Code was handed over to the Secretary during this meeting.

On September 12, 2011, FOMAA General Secretary Benoy Thomas visited the new Ambassador, Her Excellency Nirupama Rao, and submitted memorandum outlining the issues and concerns of the Indian diaspora.

On September 23, 2011, FOMAA President John Uralil and Treasurer Feisal Edward, along with other FOMAA leaders, asked for Her Excellency’s follow-up on the memorandum submitted earlier by the FOMAA Secretary during their meeting with her.

 

Earlier this year, FOMAA brought the attention of the Indian political leadership about the limitations of Indian Baggage Act. Through the efforts of FOMAA, Government of India has agreed to raise the amount of gold a foreign traveler can carry in his or luggage.

Ask The Embassy Series 

On April 16, 2011, FOMAA was part of the Ask The Embassy Series, which kicked off in Washington, D.C., under the leadership of FOMAA Secretary Benoy Thomas. Over 200 individuals attended this event, led by a panel that included three ministers from the Embassy of India in Washington and Jan Dvrak, President of Travisa Outsourcing.

On May 8, 2011, FOMAA’s Western Regional Vice President Ojus John organized a successful event on this series featuring Mrs. Susmita Thomas, Consulate General in San Francisco.

 Bylaw Amendment Committee

On June 11, 2012 FOMAA’s National Committee has appointed the following individuals to the bylaw amendment committee:

1. Kurian Varghese

2. Easow Sam Oommen

3.Dr.James Kurichi

4. George Parnel

5. Vinson Palathingal.


Mr. Kurian Varghese, current chairperson of Credentials and Bylaws committee  will serve as the chair of the committee. This committee is responsible to review the current bylaws and recommend any amendments as necessary.

Literary Seminar

 FOMAA in association with Janani magazine organized a daylong literary seminar, on July 21 from 9 am to 7 pm in Floral PARK, New York.

Women’s’ Forum. FOMAA ‘s  Women’s’ Forum was officially inaugurated on July 21, 2012 by renowned writer Manasi. FOMAA Women’s Forum is functioning in full swing providing counseling, mentoring and referral service. It also provides a platform for the Malayalee women to network.

Other Noteworthy Events 

In January 2011, FOMAA held a memorable Meet the Press event at the acclaimed Chemsford Club in New Delhi. Over 80 media representatives attended, including many Bureau Chiefs of major media outlets.

In January 2011, FOMAA leaders received a rousing welcome at the Mascot Hotel, Trivandrum. Five ministers, 10 MLAs, social and cultural figures were in attendance.

In January 2011, FOMAA leaders were welcomed in Kottayam at the Windsor Castle by citizens of Kottayam, headed by the Muncipal Chairman. The City of Chengannor also extended a warm reception for the FOMAA leaders under the leadership of Municipal Chairwoman Lida Jacob.

On March 27, 2011, New York Empire State Region organized a successful family night.

On April 2, 2011, New York Metro Region organized an election debate.

On May 8, 2011, a grand welcome reception was organized in Houston for the FOMAA leadership.

An event to pay tribute to the late poet Ayyappan was organized in Baltimore, MD, by the Capital Region.

 

Congratulations

FOMAA congratulates its Joint Secretary Anandan Niravel, who was elected as the new President of Kerala Hindus of North America.

FOMAA congratulates Mr. Savy Mathew for his unanimous election as the new President of Syro-Malabar Catholic Congress.

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