NEW YORK (TIP): Global Organization of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO) chapters in New York and Manhattan joined hands with Indian American Kerala Center in Elmont, New York along with several other community organizations including Kerala Cultural Association of North America, Pioneer Club of Keralites, Kerala Samajam of Greater New York, World Malayalee Council NY Province, FOMAA Metro Region, FOKANA Metro Region, Long Island Malayalee Cultural Association and Indian American Malayalee Association of Long Island, Milan Cultural Association to give warm send off with a dinner to Consul for Community Affairs Shri A.K. Vijayakrishnan from the Indian Consulate in New York after 4 ½ years of service.

Consul Vijayakrishnan has been a ranking diplomat with Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India with experience of over 36 years in a variety of interesting and challenging assignments with earlier postings in the High Commission of India in Pakistan as well as other countries and different sections of Ministry of External Affairs. Since Vijayakrishnan was retiring from the service and send-off dinner was held at the Indian American Keral Center.

The program started with Kerala Center President Alex Esthappan in his welcome address gave high praise for Consul Vijayakrishnan during his term of office.

GOPIO International Chairman Dr. Thomas Abraham said that although many Consuls come and go, the community organizations decided to give Consul Vijayakrishnan an appropriate send-off since he conducted his service above his call for duty by making himself available to serve the community 24/7 by sharing his cell phone to everyone.

“Whenever I called him to alert a commu8niuty issue or the death of an Indian citizen in the USA, he was already on the case and that was greatly appreciated by the community,” said Dr. Abraham.

Representatives of other community organizations spoke at the farewell included Beena Kothari, President, GOPIO-NY; Suresh Sharma, President, Milan Cultural Association (Hartford, CT); Johny Zachariah, President, Pioneer Club of Keralites; Manohar Thomas, President of Sargavedi; Jose Kadapuram of Kairali TV; Philip Madathil, President, Kerala Cultural Association of North America; Sibi David, President, Kerala Samajam of New Yore; Thomas T. Oommen, Long Island Malayalee Cultural Association; Sibi David of Kalavedi and Biju Chacko of World Malayalee Council. Others who spoke at the event were Democratic Party leaders Dr. Sumita SenGupta, Kalathil Varghese and Koshy Thomas; May Philip and Mathew Kutty Easo.

Consul Vijay Krishnan was presented with an honor plaque for his sincere service to the Indian Diaspora community by these organizations together.

In his reply to remarks, Vijayakrishnan said that he enjoyed fully working for the benefit of the Indian American community. He told that he encountered a lot of family disputes including violence against spouses and suggested that the community must pursue non-violence in any disputes.

Vijayakrishnan said that he had attended many regional community festivals and suggested to community organizations to invite some members of other Indian community organizations whenever any regional festivals are held. This would help better understanding and knowledge of Indian festivals all our communities.

The Consul for Visa at the Indian Consulate Pragya Singh will have the additional charge of Consul for Community Affairs, who said at the meeting that she would continue the work of Consul Vijayakrishnan and looking for community support.

Kerala Center Secretary Raju Thomas gave the vote of thanks.
(Based on a Press Release)