CONFEDERATION OF MALAYALI ASSOCIATIONS, DELHI

Confederation of Malayali Association, Delhi ( CMA) is a confederation of more than 40 Malayalee Associations working in and around Delhi. These Associations represent over one million Keralites in Delhi. The confederation was formed to provide a common platform for the Delhi Malayalees to discuss and find solutions for their common problems.

I had opportunity to serve CMA on various capacities including General Secretary, Jt.Secretary, Treasurer and Executive Body Member during its most active period.

A brief of the CMA is given below:

"Challenges before Non-resident Malayalis (NRMs) in the new millennium"

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Confederation of Malayali Associations, Delhi (CMA) in association with Federation of All India Marunadan Malayalee Associations (FAIMA), had organised a National Convention on "Challenges before Non-resident Malayalis (NRMs) in the new millennium" at New Delhi.

The seminar was inaugurated by Shri K Karunakaran (former Chief Minister of Kerala) and presided over by Shri P M Sayeed, Hon’ble Dy. Speaker, Lok Sabha. Eminent political leaders including Shri O Rajagopal, Hon’ble Union Minister of State for Railways, Shri T K Ramakrishnan, Hon’ble Minister for Cultural Affairs, Govt. of Kerala and many other leading personalities from Cultural and literary world attended the Seminar.

Over 50 papers, prepared by eminent academicians, Jurists, Bureaucrats, Political Leaders, Journalists and Cultural and literary personalities and of course representatives of Malayalee Associations, were presented in the seminar. These papers dwell on the various facets of human life, focus on the problems faced by the millions of Malayalees who have migrated to various parts of the country and ways and means to work them off.

1998-99 AN EVENTFUL YEAR OF CMA

The Confederation of Malayali Associations, Delhi (CMA) has completed yet another eventful working year (1998-99) - a year in which nearly 35 Malayali Associations came together under the umbrella of CMA and started to actively associate themselves with the functioning of the Confederation. Bringing together various Malayali Associations functioning in and around Delhi under one umbrella was no mean task to achieve, still, the unstinting enthusiasm and laborious efforts put in by the Executive Committee members have fructified. The CMA intend not to be complacent and aim to undertake more activities particularly those to protect the common cause of Malayali Community in Delhi.

It is to the credit of CMA that it was the first and hitherto the only one to organise a cultural procession in Delhi. For the Malayali community this was a historic event as it depicted the traditional and yet diversified art forms of Kerala in its true colour, form and spirit. It was a procession of a couple of thousands of Malayalis - women attired in their traditional `Onnarayum Mundum’ bordered with wide golden strips, children in their `Pavadayum Blousum’, and men in their traditional white `Mundum Veshtiyum’. While the procession was led by caparisoned and colourfully decorated elephant, there were a mix of art and musical groups such as Thalappoli, Panchavadyam, Kaikotikkali, Capering Pulikkali etc. It will not be an exaggeration to mention that this procession was really a spectrum of a spectacular visual delights for the people of Delhi.

The discussion on `Delhi Malayalis - their problems’ organised on 7th June, 1998 in close association with Kerala Information Centre, New Delhi witnessed active involvement of various Member Associations. The key note address presented by Dr.George Mathew was thought provoking. S/Shri P.C.Thomas, Suresh Kurup, Varkala Radhakrishnan and T Govindan MPs also presented their valuable suggestions to solve the problems of Delhi Malayalis. Building a `Cultural Centre’ has been an uncherished dream of over one million Malayalee habitants of Delhi. Speaking in the seminar, Dr.George Mathew underscored the need to approach the State Government to earmark and allocate suitable land inside the sprawling Travancore House for the purpose.

On 3rd January, 1999 CMA organised a get together with the Chief Minister of Delhi, Smt. Sheila Dikshit. While delivering her New Year message, she assured the Malayalis that they should not have any feeling of insecurity or any kind of apprehension in their minds about any damage being inflicted upon them with the implementation of full statehood for Delhi.
Last year, CMA had instituted an Award - CMA Puraskaram - for honouring a Keralite every year, for outstanding contribution to the Malayali Community. Shri V.K.Madhavan Kutty, the widely respected journalist was the first personality to be chosen for this year’s (1998-99) award.

Another conspicuous event organised under the aegis of CMA was a seminar on `Violence against minorities - Politicisation of religion’ which turned out to be a very informative and revealing one. Noted politicians Shri Mani Shankar Iyer, General Secretary of AICC and Shri Prakash Kaort, Politburo Member of CPI (M) talked on the subject. The function was presided over by our President Dr.George Mathew. The seminar witnessed enthusiastic participation in the debate by the participants.

The preview of screening of latest Malayalam movie JANANI arranged by CMA was attended by many distinguished personalities from all walks of life. CMA felicitated the director of the movie Mr.Rajiv Nath and its camera man Mr.Suresh Nair at the function. Shri P.C.Thomas, MP and Shri Mullappally Ramachandran, MP presented mementoes to them. Shri Suresh Kurup, MP had also graced the occasion.

On the literary front, the function organised by CMA to felicitate the well-known Malayalam poet Shri Kavalam Narayanapanicker and his team members was a memorable one. The debate on `Contemporary Drama’ that followed enlivened the atmosphere by the active participation of the invitees. The recital of some of the famous `Kavalam Poems’ both by the poet and the participants was un unforgettable experience.

Another issue CMA had taken up is the lack of adequate train service to Kerala, considering the volume of passengers. Strong representations were made to the Hon’ble Union Railway Minister to take necessary action to mitigate the perennial problems being faced by the Kerala bound passengers.

The CMA has always been in the forefront when it comes to lending support to its member associations in their socio-cultural and welfare activities or directly taking up the matter, which are beyond the wherewithal of its members, with the concerned authorities.