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Kerala Center Recognizes and Honors Medical Professionals and First Responders, and Conducts a Seminar on Covid 19 Health Issues
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The Indian American Kerala Cultural and Civic Center (http://keralacenterny.com) recognized and honored close to hundred healthcare workers and police officers from Queens and Long Island and surrounding areas at virtual Zoom meeting for their praiseworthy service during the pandemic and conducted a seminar and interactive session on Covid 19 attended by experts in various fields of health.

The program started at 5 PM on Sunday, February 21, 2021 with the introduction of the MC for the program, Jose Stephen, by the Executive Director of the Kerala Center, Thambi Thalappillil.  Kerala Center Youth Secretary Jaimy Abraham sang the prayer song.  Kerala Center President Alex K. Esthappan delivered the welcome speech.

The chief guest was Consul A.K. Vijayakrishnan, Consul for Community Affairs from the Indian Consulate who praised the Indian healthcare workers for their devotion and commitment to fight Covid-19.  New York State Senator Kevin Thomas noted the outstanding service performed by Malayalee healthcare workers during the pandemic and that many had to work very hard along with the risk of infecting family members. Senator Thomas announced that a state proclamation congratulating the Kerala Center for its great work will be issued.

GOPIO Chairman Dr. Thomas Abraham, FOMAA President Aniyan George, Loka Kerala Sabha Member E. M.  Stephen, FOKANA President Georgy Varghese, NYPD Captain Shibu Madhu, American Malayalee Law Enforcement United (AMLEU) President Thomas Joy, Dr. Agnes Therady (Franciscan Health SVP & CNO), Jose Kadapuram (Director of Kairali TV in the USA), Prof. Suja Mohan (Director of Nursing, HHC Queens) and Mary Philip (New York Nurses Association) spoke as special guests. Many people have commented that this meeting, which honored healthcare workers personally, was a special one.

The recognition ceremony was followed by seminar and panel discussion related to Covid 19 and related health issues as the second part of the Zoom meeting, Dr. Robin Koshy (infectious disease), Dr. Rajan Krishnamani (Cardiology), Dr. Madhu Bhaskaran (Nephrology), Dr. Sanjaya Satapathy (Hepatology), Dr. Rajiv Jayadevan (Kerala), Dr. P. V.  Cherian (Bahrain) and Dr. Agnes Therady (Hospital Administrator) spoke regarding issues in their field of expertise. They answered questions from the audience during the Q&A session. The seminar was put together by Dr. Madhu Bhaskaran of Northwell Health, who also served as the moderator of the seminar and ineractive session.

Kerala Centre Directors Abraham Thomas, P. T. Paulose, James Thottam, Raju Thomas and Matthew Vazhappally worked behind the scene to coordinate the program and Secretary Jimmy John proposed a vote of thanks at the conclusion of the meeting.

The Kerala Center was founded in 1993 when an old YMCA building in Elmont was bought by the group. It is a secular, civic, cultural and educational institution promoting Malayalam language and literature and serves the Kerala and Indian community. The center offers Yoga classes currently through Zoom. Every year it organizes its Annual Awards, where outstanding achievers and contributors to society are honored.