Six honoured for their achievements at Kerala Center

New York, Nov 25 (UNI) Indian American Civic and Cultural Center, better known as the Kerala Center, has honoured six people and an organisation at its annual function.

Prabhu Dayal, the Consul General, was the chief guest at the event held at the center, which is situated at Elmont on neighboring Long Island. Dayal lauded the Indian American community in general and the awardees in particular for achievements in various spheres.

'' The bridge you have built by contributing to the strengthening of the Indo-US relationship is outstanding,'' he said and added that there are several more bridges to be built.

Among others who spoke on the occasion were Sreekantan Nair, vice president Asianet TV, E M Stephen, a founding member and executive director of the center and Jose Chummar, president of the Kerala Center.

Dr Thomas Abraham, who is chairman of the Global Organisation for People of Indian Origin, a Connecticut-based umbrella body, also delivered a speech. Dr Abraham was instrumental in setting up the Kerala Center.

The following were recipients of the awards; Thomas George (director for emerging technologies and project manager at ViaLogy LLC in California) in Engineering. He is a former student of the Indian Institute of Technology, Madras. Reji George (chief editor of the weekly Malayalee Sangamam) in Journalism. He is the advisory board vice chairman and president-elect of the India Press Club of North America.

James Abraham (medical director, Mary Babb Randolph Cancer Center of West Virginia University) in Medicine. For Nursing the award was given to Susan Mathew (assistant professor of nursing, University of Texas Medical Branch School of Nursing, Galveston, Texas). For Public Service, Shalini Vallabhan (a strategic director for the American Cancer Society at its International Affairs Department) was selected and Chembakassery Sivarama Menon was selected for Special Recognition award.

The organisation honoured on the occasion was Kairali TV, US, a Malayalam TV channel that has been operating in the US for the last six years. John Brittas of the channel received a plaque of honour.

UNI XC KK CS1135