The Indian American Kerala Cultural and Civic Center, Inc. will honor eight distinguished Indian American Malayalees for their outstanding contributions and societal service during its 32nd Annual Awards Dinner on Oct.19, 2024.
Public officials and leaders from both the USA and India are expected to attend the prestigious event, which will take place at the Kerala Center in Elmont, New York.
"The Kerala Center has been recognizing outstanding achievers since 1992," said Dr. Thomas Abraham, trustee board chairman and Award Committee Member. "Every year, we invite nominations, and the Award Committee makes a unanimous choice for a candidate in each category. This year’s awardees are no exception in terms of their achievements."
Dr. Madhu Bhaskaran, chairman of the board and award committee, added, "Kerala Center is very happy to honor American Malayalees who excel in their professions and work for social progress. Their examples should be an inspiration for others."
This year’s honorees include:
Johnson Samuel (Long Island, NY) – Humanitarian and Social Service
Suja Thomas (Albany, NY) – Nursing Leadership
Wesley Mathews (Trenton, NJ) – Public Service
Dr. Sunanda Nair (Houston, TX) – Performing Arts
Hashim Mooppan (Washington, DC) – Legal Services
Samcy Kodumon (Long Island, NY) – Pravasi Malayalam Literature
Sibu Nair (Buffalo, NY) – Community Service
Varkey Abraham (Long Island, NY) – Business Leadership
Dr. Madhu Bhaskaran, along with Dr. Thomas Abraham and Daisy P. Stephen, served as members of the Awards Committee. Kerala Center president Alex K. Esthappan pointed out the significance of the event, stating that the Center has honored over 185 American Malayalees in the last 32 years. "It is great to see that they have continued to rise further in their careers and serve society," Esthappan remarked.
The honorees this year represent a wide range of achievements. Wesley Mathews, president and ceo of Choose New Jersey, has been recognized for his work in public service and enhancing New Jersey’s global reach. Suja Thomas, the president of the National Association of Indian Nurses of America, has made significant contributions to nursing leadership. Dr. Sunanda Nair, a renowned Mohiniattam dancer, continues to promote this classical art form internationally.
Other honorees include Hashim Mooppan, a leading appellate litigator; Johnson Samuel, founder of Life and Limb, an organization that provides prosthetic limbs to amputees in Kerala; Sibu Nair, a prominent figure in the Asian community who serves as the deputy director of Asian Affairs for New York State; Varkey Abraham, a successful entrepreneur and philanthropist; and Samcy Kodumon, a writer and literary figure known for his contributions to Malayalam literature.
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