NEW YORK CITY (TIP): The Indian American Kerala Cultural and Civic Center will honor eight Indian American Malayalees for their outstanding achievements in their field of specialization or for their service to the society. Dr. Arun Jeph, India’s Deputy Consul General in New York will be the chief guest at the award ceremony to be held at the Kerala Center’s 29th Annual Awards Banquet on Nov. 13 in New York. New York State senators Kevin Thomas and Todd Kaminsky, Hempstead Town Supervisor, Don Clavin and Consul for Community Affairs, A. K. Vijayakrishnan, will be among the guests, according to a press release. “Kerala Center has been honoring outstanding achievers since 1991 and every year we invite nominations and the committee has to make a unanimous choice for a candidate in a category to receive the award and this year is no different from previous years in terms of their achievements,” said Dr. Thomas Abraham, Kerala Center’s Trustee Board Chairman and Award Committee Member. “Kerala Center is very happy to honor American Malayalees who reached high levels in their professions and who work for social progress — their examples should be an inspiration for others,” said Dr. Madhu Bhaskaran, Award Committee Chairman.

Kerala Center President Alex K. Esthappan said the Center has recognized over 160 American Malayalees in the last 29 years and it is great to see that they have continued to rise further in their careers and serve the society.”

To reserve seats, contact the Kerala Center at: 516-358-2000 or at email: kc@keralacenterny.com. One can buy banquet tickets at Donate to Indian American Kerala Cultural and Civic Center Inc

Awardees:

Dr. George M. Abraham – Outstanding Achievements in Medicine and Professional Services.

Abraham is the President of the American College of Physicians. He is a Professor of Medicine at the University of Massachusetts Medical School, Chief of Medicine at St. Vincent Hospital, Worcester, MA and Adjunct Professor at the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences.

He has authored over 100 publications, abstracts and book chapters, and is an invited speaker at national and international meetings. He is a graduate of Christian Medical College, Ludhiana, Punjab, India.

Dr. Devi Nampiaparampil – Notable Contributions in Public Service

Nampiaparampil is the Republican nominee for New York City Public Advocate. Dr. Devi is a practicing physician in pain medicine, a scientist and a small business owner.

She is a SAG-AFTRA member who played a doctor on ‘General Hospital’ before becoming a doctor in real life. Dr. Devi did her residency and fellowship training at Harvard Medical School and is currently an Associate Professor at NYU School of Medicine.

Dr. Devi spent several years at the Veterans Affairs Hospitals treating combat veterans. Dr. Devi has also been a medical news contributor for Fox 5 New York and done hundreds of on-air interviews for Fox News, CNN, MSNBC and other national networks.

Robin Elackatt – Notable achievements in Political Process

Elackatt was sworn in as the 12th Mayor of City of Missouri City, Texas in December 2020. Elackatt’s public services started by serving on the city’s Parks & Recreation Board from 2007-2009 and as (District C) Council member from 2009-2015.

Holding MBA and MHA degrees, he served as the Healthcare Administrator of one of the largest Healthcare systems in Houston for over 24 years.

Nandini Nair – Notable services and Achievements in Legal Services

Nair is a partner and co-chair of the Immigration and Naturalization practice group and serves on the Management Committee at Greenspoon Marder LLP.

Nair focuses her practice on the analysis and processing of US visas, employment-based and family-based applications, naturalization applications and other immigration benefits.

Nair was featured on TV Asia’s weekly series, “Bridge to Immigration”, which she co-wrote, and is ranked among the “Top Lawyers in New Jersey Immigration” by Chambers & Partners.

Chandrika Kurup – Contributions and Achievements in Performing Arts

Kurup, the director of Noopura Indian Classical Dance School, started her dance career under the guidance of late Kalamandalam Kalyanikutti Amma, a pioneer in Mohiniyattam.

Later she was introduced to other dance styles like Bharatanattyam, Kuchipuddi and Odissi. Ever since starting her school in New York in 1989, she has continued to teach these various forms of Indian Classical dance thereby passing along our rich, unique and valuable art, culture and history to our youngsters and she has trained more than 2000 students by now.

Mary Philip – Notable Contributions in Nursing and Community Service

Philip’s nursing career in America spans over 30 years. Starting as a nurse in the Indian Defense Force, she reached the rank of Lieutenant there.

As a past President of the Indian Nurses Association of New York, she helped our nurses with various educational and professional opportunities, including scholarships and academic financial support to nursing students in India.

Philip has contributed her skills to serve not only the Malayalee community, but also the local and national community at large by working as an executive member of several local and national associations.

Dr. Sabu Varghese and Dr. Blessy Mary Joseph – Special Award for Notable services during the Pandemic in 2020 and 2021

Varghese is a graduate of a medical school under Kerala university. He did residency at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center. Currently, he is teaching and attending at Brookdale University Hospital and is doing his private practice at Wholesome Medical PC (former Queens Nassau Cardiology).

He has affiliations with Northwell Systems and Catholic Hospital Systems. During the Pandemic, Dr. Varghese went out of his way to treat his patients. Joseph is a graduate of Manipal University Medical School. She did residency at Brookdale University Medical Center and is currently doing private practice at Wholesome Medical PC (former Queens Nassau Cardiology). She has affiliations with Northwell Systems and Catholic Hospital Systems