NAFO Kuwait (National Forum Kuwait) celebrated its 16th Anniversary in a colorful and splendid manner on Friday, 26th April, 2019 at the American International School (AIS), Maidan-Hawally.

The inaugural meeting started at 06:00 PM with the recital of National Anthem of Kuwait and India, followed by the soothing invocation chants of NAFO Symphony group comprising of twenty star singers, into the silent and serene venue was a rare audio-visual treat.

Raj Gopal Singh, Deputy Chief of Mission, Indian Embassy-Kuwait inaugurated the function along with Chief Guest, Vijay K. Nambiar-IFS (Rtd.), Mazen Al-Ansary, Guest of Honour Director, Ministry of Information-Kuwait and NAFO officials; lighting the traditional lamp.

R. Vijayakrishnan, NAFO President chaired the meeting and in his Presidential address he briefed about NAFO’S resilient motto “ Like Mindedness” and recent socio-welfare activities including the recent flood relief activities executed by NAFO.

General Secretary Murali S. Nair welcomed the chief guest, guest of honor, embassy delegate, celebrity Navya Nair and her team and the august audience. Treasurer Vijayakumar Menon, Advisory Board members V.R. Vijayan Nair, Dr. Prasad Nair also had attended key roles in the function to felicitate guests and title sponsor.

Representative of the Indian Embassy Raj Gopal Singh, in his inaugural speech, appreciated NAFO for its relentless services to the humanity and promoting the rich Indian cultural heritages in Kuwait. He also wished all success to its future socio-welfare activities. On behalf of NAFO, Raj Gopal Singh was honored with a memento in respect of his commendable services rendering to Indian diaspora.

Chief Guest Vijay K. Nambiar in his key note address; emphasized that every gathering of diaspora is inducing the sweet nostalgic memories of cultural traditions and heritages of our mother land India. The expertise of knowledge and vast experiences of Indian diaspora shall be transferred to our younger generations, in the transformation and making of new India, he said. He congratulated the philanthropic supports and timely helps extending by NAFO. Guest of Honour Mazen-Al-Ansari through his message also had expressed his happiness for inviting him and have greeted the socio-cultural missions of NAFO.

Program convener Naveen C.P., in his vote of thanks expressed gratitude to all dignitaries’ guests, esteemed sponsors, media forum, and NAFO family members for their gracious presence and support. He also thanked celebrity of the day Navya Nair and her team for their first visit to Kuwait as NAFO’s guests.

NAFO Entrepreneurship award for the year 2019 was conferred to Vinod Pillai, Director of HITECH General Trading and Contracting Company and Jayakrishnan Nair, Managing Director of STERLING UNITED Co. reckoning their innovation and enterprise.

The maiden “NAFO Corporate Icon Awards” in recognition of out-standing achievements among corporate sectors were conferred to Dr. T.A. Remesh, Chief Operating Officer of ONCOST supply chain and Ravi Varrier, Chief Executive Officer of Al-Rashed International Shipping Co. and Mr. Rajasekharan Nair, Brand Manager, MY Behbehani Group who have carved a niche for themselves by sheer hard work, determination and unique accomplishments in respective fields and emerged as corporate icons.

Thereafter the Distinguished guest and metallic sponsor Vikram Singh Sekhavat, Head of Retail Sales, National Bank of Kuwait released “Navaneetham” Souvenir, by receiving a copy from Vinayan Mangalassery, Chief Editor and handed over the first copy to Shaiju Mohandas, General Manager of Lulu Exchange Co. and to all the gold sponsors and dignitaries who were invited to the dais. Officials represented the Gold and Silver Sponsorships were also honored by presenting a memento, in appreciation of their valuable support continually extending to NAFO in the voyage of noble socio-welfare services.

After conclusion of the formal official inauguration and awards ceremony, “NIVEDHYAM” a flamboyant cultural treat comprising of the most celebrated art-forms of God’s own country-Kerala was staged by a blessed group of twenty five NAFO Talents, which was conceived, conceptualized and directed by Preeti Rajiv.

The most sensational multi-media dance-music fiesta by illustrious film actress and blessed danseuse Naya Nair and her professional team of eight artistes mesmerized the audience the next two hours through their spell bounding magical performances; a mix of all dance forms and popular Hindi, Tamil and Malayalam film songs.

NAFO’s traditionally courteous and dignified crowd, wholeheartedly welcomed Navya and her team of danseuses while the auditorium was trembling for more than two hours capturing the audience of all ages and classes.

Excellent comparing by the ceremonial host Srikala Dileep, Chief Coordinator of NAFO Ladies’’ wing and her co-host Srilaximi Nair mystically guided the audience throughout the event. Artistes were presented with gifts and photo sessions were conducted before the conclusion.

A brief audiovisual documentary, was presented to mark the mile stone achievements of NAFO including major accomplishments of inspired services rendered for the recent past years.