NEW YORK (TIP): Indian Overseas Congress Vice Chair George Abraham, who is one of the founders of the Congress organization in America a quarter of a century ago, received the Lifetime Achievement Award from Rahul Gandhi in a rare honor. The event was the IOC reception to Rahul Gandhi at the Terrace on Park in Queens, New York, June 3, ahead of his public meeting on June 4. To everyone’s surprise, IOC Chair Sam Pitroda announced the honor and invited Rahul Gandhi to present the plaque. It was greeted by thunderous applause from the 300 plus party supporters in the audience. It was a proud moment for Abraham, who started his association with the Congress Party during his school days. He worked in Balajanasakhyam and became the state treasurer. Later he worked in the Kerala Students Union (KSU) before moving to the US.

Now he has completed 53 years in the US and still keeps his Indian citizenship. In the US too, he kept the ideals of the Congress Party in his heart. Congress leaders who visited the US were always welcomed by him and received his hospitality. It was in the 90s that he, along with a few others, came forward with the idea of setting up an organization supporting the party. During a visit of Oomen Chandy, former Kerala chief minister, an organization was formed at a meeting held in his house. Later it grew to become a national organization as IOC.

George strongly believes in individual liberty and equal opportunity for everyone to develop their full potential. Secular to the core, he believes one’s faith is purely a personal matter and should not be mixed up with politics. “Political tranquility is fundamental to societal progress and we all should strive to achieve peaceful co-existence and focus on building a progressive society for our children and grandchildren:, he says.

The award was a befitting recognition for a person for his dedication and hard work. His wife Lona Abraham too worked side by side with him for the organization. Abraham retired as the chief technology officer at the United Nations where he was recognized for the ‘spirit of innovation’ by the United Nations Pension Fund for bringing new technologies to the U.N. to automate various processes.

IOC Kerala Chapter President Leela Maret was also felicitated on the occasion. Leela, who had prepared a souvenir to commemorate Rahul Gandhi’s visit, was invited to the stage and Rahul Gandhi released the souvenir.