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Georgia politician applauds Malayalees' contribution
Brian Thomas has applauded the contribution of Malayalees in the development of Atlanta, reports Lalit K Jha.
A senior politician from Georgia has applauded the contribution of the Malayalee people in the development of Atlanta.
Brian Thomas, Member of the Georgia State House of Representatives, said this in his inaugural address of the inauguration of the activities of the Greater Atlanta Malayalee Association (GAMA) for the year 2005 at a function held at the Lilburn in Atlanta last weekend.
Addressing the members of the Malayalee community, Thomas referred to the various contributions of the community to Atlanta. There are over 1,500 non-resident Keralites staying in Atlanta and its neighborhood.
Thomas also complimented the efforts of GAMA to bring together and co-ordinate the Malayalees of Atlanta.
He inaugurated the GAMA function by lighting the traditional lamp on the stage. More than 25 years old the main objective of the GAMA is to preserve and promote the moral, social, cultural, educational, literary and artistic heritage of the Malayalee community in Greater Atlanta.
In his presidential address, the GAMA 2005 president, Sunny Thaliath, appreciated the support and cooperation given by the Malayalee community in community organization and its activities.
Thaliath informed that GAMA will be coming up with more new and different programs this year. The next GAMA program, he announced, would be the family picnic to be held at Fort Yargo Natural Park, Winder in Greater Atlanta on July 9.
Speaking on the occasion as a special guest, the American United Bank chairman, P. I. Joy, offered all support to GAMA's initiatives. Its various activities over the last twenty five years have made creative changes in the Malayalee Community of Atlanta, he observed.
A cultural extravaganza followed the inaugural event. Dance program by Divya Unni, the popular Malayalam Film Actress was the major attraction. The other attraction was the live Orchestra performed by popular Music troup, Sarega from New York.
Various stalls for GAMA Malayalam Classes, Kerala Kshema Nidhi, Super Bumper Raffle, were setup along with the inaugural function. Film Star Divya Unni, selected the winners of the raffle, by drawing the lot at the stage. She also gave away the prizes for the raffle winners, said Santhosh Melekalathil, member executive committee, GAMA 2005.
Melekalathil said, every year GAMA organizes a number of social and cultural events, involving large number of families from the metro Atlanta area.
Along with the cultural events GAMA is planning to release a newsletter, which will be published every two months
"We also emphasize the aim of preserving and promoting the moral, social, cultural, educational, literary and artistic heritage of the Indian community in Greater Atlanta," he said.
He said, GAMA is an active member of the Indian American Cultural Association, and has been a major presence in the Indian Community activities of Atlanta. GAMA also earmarks a portion of its funds as the contribution for the welfare of the poor and needy in India, including the Tsunami victims.
