Pathanamthitta District Association held a Press Meeting on Sunday 16th October 2016 at Hi Dine Hall to brief the Press in connection with the Association’s Onam celebration event, SRAAVANA POURNAMI 2016, during which Association’s various activities, social welfare schemes, humanitarian services, and the Association’s past and current activities and future plans and programs. The Press meeting was attended by representatives of Malayalam Media Forum Members and Office Bearers of the Association, which included:- Association President Mr. K. Jayakumar, General Secretary Mr. Benny Pathanamthitta, General Convener Mr. P.T. Samuelkutty, Treasurer Mr. Charls Vennikulam, Vice President Mr. Murali Panicker, Program Convener Mr. Abu Peter Sam, Raffle Convener Mr. Kuriakose Kadammanitta, and Senior Committee Member Mr. P. Cherian. Association’s Founder and Patron Mr. Oommen George (Jose Mannil) was also present at the Press meeting.

Association President Mr. K. Jayakumar presented Association’s activities, plans and programs. Patron Mr. Oommen George gave an outline of Association’s functioning during the past 16 years, it’s objectives, mission and core values. Association General Secretary Benny Pathanamthitta answered the questions raised and provided information sought by the Press representatives,

The briefings presented and explained at the Press Meeting covered the following topics:-

Pathanamthitta District Association, Kuwait will hold it’s Onam Festival celebration, SRAAVANA POURNAMI 2016 on Friday 21st October 2016 at Indian Central School from 10 am to 5 pm.The Chief Guest for the function is Aranmula MLA Smt. Veena George. Indian Ambassador or a top Official of the Indian Embassy will be present at the function.

The SRAAVANA POURNAMI 2016 will commence at 10 am sharp with the arrival of the Mahabali accompanied by “Thalappoli”, and Vadyamelam, followed by enticing “Thiruvathira” dance. Public meeting will follow after that in which the Chief Guest Smt. Veena George, Indian Ambassador Mr. Sunil Jain, Association’s Leaders and prominent dignitaries of Indian Diaspora will address the gathering.

The Association will honor following personalities during the public function:-

1.Shri. E.M. Ashraf, writer, journalist, film critic and human rights activist, Association’s prestigious ‘MANAVEEYAM AWARD” for his outstanding humanitarian services in the Gulf countries

2.Shri. Kadavil Thomas Mathew, “an eminent human rights and media personality among the Indian Expatriate community in Kuwait, with Association’s special Award “PRAVASI THILAKAM”, for his two decades of dedicated and selfless efforts in the service of Indian diaspora in Kuwait.

3.Shri. G. Venugopal, the King of melodies of Malayalam Cinema for his invaluable contribution to Malayalam Cinema Music for over 3 decades starting his Film career with the Film “ODARUTHAMMAAVA AALARIYAAM IN 1984.

4.Smt. Veena George for her support to the expatriate community of Pathanamthitta District in and outside the Kerala legislative Assembly and for her participation in our SRAAVANA POURNAMNI 2016 as Chief guest.

5.Smt. Akhila Anand for her participation in our SRAAVANA POURNAMI 2016 Orchestra Program.

6.Shri. Abdul Rehman for his participation in the SRAAVANA POURNAMI 2016 Orchestra Program.

“VIDHYA JYOTHI AWARD” of 2016-2017 instituted by the Association for excellence in studies will be presented to following children of Association’s members:-

1. Ms. Laxmi R. Pillai for topping in CBSE Exam of X’th Standard.

2. Mr. Kiran Easow George for achieving high percentage in M.Tech Mechanical Engineering

It was also announced that the Association will be holding Drawing and Water Color Painting competition for Indian School students at 8 am on the same day of the Sraavana Pournami event and has invited Poems and Short Stories from all expatriates belonging to Kerala in the form of a competition. Prizes for the winners of each category decided by the Association’s Judges will be presented by Film Playback Singer Shri. G. Venugopal during the event.

At the Press meeting the Association Office Bearers also gave an account of Pathanamthitta District Association’s various activities in Kuwait and India, social welfare schemes, humanitarian services, HOPE SCHOLARSHIP SCHEME offered to economically weak students studying in the backward areas of the District, encouragement of talented sportspersons among students, awards for brilliance in studies, financial aid to people belonging to backward families for medical treatment and for marriages of their young daughters, distributing food kits to Orphanages and homes of aborigines, supporting the community in many other ways, and interactions with local authorities in Pathanamthitta District to understand the social and development needs of the District and offering Association’s cooperation and support wherever possible within Association’s capabilities, and future plans and programs during the term of the current Executive Committee.