Pathanamthitta District Association (PDA), Kuwait, held it’s ONAM Festival celebrations, “SRAAVANA POURNAMI 2014” on Friday 26th September 2014 at Jawahara Al Salah Al Ahliya Arabic School Auditorium in Riggai with a public function followed by cultural programs. The Onam celebrations commenced with public function presided over by the Association President, Shri. Oommen George (Jose Mannil). Inauguration of the ONAM celebrations was performed by Indian Embassy Consul Shri. J.S. Dangi by lighting the traditional Lamp. Shri. John Mathew, a leading Industrialist and Vice Chairman of Arabi Enertech Co., native of Pathanamthitta and one of the senior most respected Indians among the Indian Diaspora in Kuwait, who also is a literary figure with many Novels and articles to his credit was the Chief Guest . General Secretary Biju Kumhazha (Philipose K.M.) rendered Welcome Speech and General Convener Benny Pathanamthitta rendered Vote of Thanks. Felicitation addresses were given by the Association Advisory Board Chairman Shri. Jayakumar, Treasurer Shri. P.T. Samuelkutty and Vice President Shri. Murali Panicker.
Leading social personalities of the Indian Diaspora in Kuwait, which included Sam Paynummoodu, Somu Mathew, Joy Mundackattu, Raju Zachariahs, Advocate Thomas Panicker, Chessil Ramapuram, Advocate Rajesh Sagar, Kadavil Thomas Mathew, Saji Thomas Mathew, Manikantan (NSS), Santhosh (NSS), Muralikrishnan (NSS), Raveendran Nair, Rajan Rawuther, and top management of Sponsors such as Mr. Mathew Varghese (MD of Bahrain Exchange), Mr. P.G. Varghese (Kuwait Education Centre) etc., graced the event with their honorable presence.
Association’s exquisitely designed colorful ONAM SOUVENIR containing informative health care articles by reputed medical professionals and literary writings which also included a beautiful poem by the famous Kerala Poet late Kadammanitta Ramakrishnan was released by Advisory Board Member, Shri. Ajith Panicker. Association’s prestigious humanitarian project, HOPE SCHOOL SCHOLARSHIP Scheme to provide financial support for the education of poor children in the Schools of backward areas of Pathanamthitta District was introduced during the function. Association’s Senior Advisory Board Member Shri. Binu John Philip, presented the Fund for the second phase of the HOPE SCHOOL SCHOLARSHIP Scheme to the Advisory Board Chairman, Shri. Jayakumar, who will hand over the Cheque for same to the School management of RVHSS School in Konni selected for the second phase of the scheme at a function which will be held on October 2014 in Konni.
Association’s website was launched at the function by the Chief Guest Shri. John Mathew. This was followed by presentation of Awards honoring outstanding social personality among the Indian Diaspora in Kuwait and students of Class Xth and Class XIIth for excellence in studies. The MANAVEEYAM 2014 Award for PDA’s social personality of the year was presented to Shri. Saji Thomas Mathew, a member of Pathanamthitta District Association and a top leader of KALA for his unmatched humanitarian activities and services for the Indian expatriate community in Kuwait.
The Award was jointly presented by the Association President, Chief Guest Mr. John Mathew and the Indian Embassy Consul Mr. J.S. Dangi in the presence of the leading personalities of social organizations in Kuwait.
The Memento for Ms. Roshni Mathew, who top scored in Twelveth Standard was presented by Association’s Senior Advisory Board Member, Mr. Raju Varghese (Toyota), and the Memento for Ms. Vismaya Rachel D’Silva, who top scored in Tenth Standard was presented by the Chief Guest, Mr. John Mathew.
The public function was followed by cultural programs, which began with Thiruvathira performed by beautiful and charming Indian ladies, “Chendamelam” consisting of 25 expert performers of “chenda” the entrance of Mahabali, and a thematic performance on the cultural tradition of Pathanamthitta such as “Padayani”, Aranmula Kannadi” and “journey to the holy temple of Sabarimala”.
‘GANAMELA” featuring South Indian Cine Playback Singer, Abdul Rehman, ASIANET STAR SINGER winner, Preethi Warrier, Anwar Saarang, Binoy Johnny, Hanah Marian Philip, Vineeth Alexander, and Preeth and the Comedy show performed by VODAFONE COMEDY SHOW fame Nariyapuram Venugopalan enthralled the audience.
Pathanamthitta District Association’s Onam celebrations “SRAAVANA POURNAMI 2014” turned out to be an immaculately organized and executed gala event and enjoyed and appreciated by all who attended the event and the tasty Onam Sadhya prepared and served by Hi Dine Restaurant was the icing on the Cake.
The event was controlled and supervised by Committee Members Kuriakose Kadammanitta, Thomas John Adoor, Biji Murali, Jithin Jose Puthiyathu, Shiphin Philip, Biju Varghese, Abu Peter Sam, Jomy George, Girish Kumar, Adarsh Bhuvanesh, George M.K., Mohandas, Eapen George, Mathew P. Easo, Mathew V. Chacko, Rendeep George Mathew, Sakthi Moon Dev, Kalaivani, Sally Samuel, and Rejina Latif. The public function was anchored by Vismaya Rachel D’Silva and cultural programs were compered by Biju Kumbazha.