DEAR FRIENDS,
The World Malayalee Council 6th Global conference was held in Singapore from August 22-24, 2008 in the beautiful scenic location at the Orchid Country resort. The event was attended by delegates from over 20 countries from all the 6 regions of WMC. America region had representatives from New York , New Jersey , Houston , Dallas and North Texas . Africa was represented from Nigeria , Kenya , Rwanda and Ethiopia . Europe was represented from UK , Austria , Germany and Russia . Middle East was represented by Dammam , Kuwait and Bahrain . India was represented by Kerala, Chennai and Pune. Far East and Australia was represented by Singapore , Sidney and Australia . The biggest contingent was from Kerala, 72 people, then Chennai 29 people and Dammam , Saudi Arabia , 22 people. A special delegation from All Malaysian Malayalee Association (AMMA) attended the conference. It was a great opportunity to meet, discuss and plan the future of the council in its entirety. Let me take this opportunity to thank and congratulate the Far East Region especially Singapore province for conducting such a remarkable conference, perhaps the best organized global conference ever held and congratulate its general convener Dr. Nanda Kumar, Province president Mrs. Susan Abraham, secretary Stephen Anathas and all the organizing committee members. WMC was honored by the presence of His Excellency S R Nathan, President of Republic of Singapore , Singapore foreign minister George Yeo and Kerala minister Binoy Viswam. Mammootty was a special guest of honour. Performances by famous actress Shobhana and Usha Uthup were superb. Conference tracks covered a diverse number of topics such as Business, Health, Women, Education, Community Development and Language. The panel on education focused on "Preparing Malayalee Youth for the 21st Century-challenges and opportunities was an added feature. A unique exhibition that show case the heritage and culture was conducted as part of the conference. Asia Pacific Talent Show providing Glimpses of last 100 years of Malayalee migration and the Performance by Shobana was the highlights of the Dinner. Famous novelist M Mukundan gave detailed presentation on his views and expectations on "Growth of Malayalam language in the 21st century". Hon Minister Binoy Viswam launched Mr Mukundan's new novel " Pravasam " to overseas Malayalees. The conference witnessed cabinet, executive council and general council meetings over three days. Delegates were allowed to attend the executive council meeting as observers. Discussions were very constructive and everybody participated in the deliberations. The global executive council passed a resolution with one vote against, moved by global vice chairman Abdulla Manjeri, Dammam and seconded by Middle East region treasurer Razak to conduct the global elections as scheduled. The executive council appointed several special project chairpersons on various projects. Given below are the names of the elected/appointed global officers; Chairman: Soman Baby , Bahrain Vice Chairpersons: Mrs. Freida David, Melbourne John Kochukandathil , Germany Chacko Malayil , Austria President: Jolly Thadathil , Germany Vice President, Administration: John Kadavil , Dallas , USA Vice President, Org. Development: Mrs. Sicily Jacob , Nigeria General Secretary: Capt. George Kakkanatt, Houston , USA Assoc. Secretary: Jojo Parackal , Austria Treasurer: G. Ajaykumar, Kerala Special project Chairpersons Dr. A.V. Anoop: World Malayalee Center Andrew Pappachen: Project Young Professionals and Entrepreneurs, wmc-pype Abdullah Manjeri: NRI services Anoop Dwanwanthari: Nava Kerala Gopala Pillai: Ethics Committee Advisory Board Chairperson: Mrs. Lekha Sreenivasan, Kerala Chief NEC: Varghese Alexander, Dallas , USA The newly elected global executive council decided to have a World Malayalee Center in Kerala completed before the seventh global conference in 2010, which is tentatively scheduled in July 2010 in Doha . Wish all of you a Happy Onam!
Warm regards
George M. Kakkanatt
Global General Secretary, WMC.
