The Indian American Kerala Cultural and Civic Centre will honor seven Indian American Malayalees for their remarkable achievements and contributions to society at its 33rd Annual Awards Dinner on October 25 in Elmont, New York.
According to a press release from the Kerala Centre, public officials and leaders from both the US and India will attend the prestigious event, which will take place at 1824 Fairfax Street.
“Kerala Center is very happy to honor American Malayalees who excel in their professions and who work for social progress; their examples should be an inspiration for others,” said Dr. Madhu Bhaskaran, Chairman of the Board and Award Committee.
Centre President Alex K. Esthappan added that over the last 32 years, the centre has recognized more than 190 American Malayalees for their achievements and service to the community.
This year's honorees include:
Inspector Shibu Madhu (Government and Public Service): A New York Police Department officer since 2007, Madhu became the first Indian American to be promoted to Inspector in NYPD history in December 2024.
Dr. Priscilla Samuel (Nursing Leadership): Vice President of Advanced Practice Nursing at Mount Sinai Health System, Samuel has led initiatives to improve workforce development and clinical excellence across multiple hospitals.
Diya A. Mathews (Legal Service): Partner in Charge at Chugh LLP’s New York and New Jersey offices, Mathews is known for her expertise in business immigration law and will soon lead TiE’s New Jersey chapter.
Koshy O. Thomas (Community Service): A veteran community leader and current Special Assistant to NY State Assemblyman Edward Braunstein, Thomas has long promoted unity and public service through his work in various civic organizations.
Dr. Nandini Ambat Menon (Education Leadership): Founder and Chief Education Officer of Cedar Hill Preparatory School, Menon has transformed the institution into a nationally recognized academic model, earning multiple prestigious accreditations.
Jayan Varghese (Pravasi Malayalam Literature): Recognized for his literary contributions celebrating the Malayalee diaspora and its cultural identity.
Joharath Kutty, P.E., PMP (Engineering): Senior Director of System Engineering at the New York Power Authority, Kutty oversees major infrastructure projects, including the Long Island transmission expansion.
The keynote address will be delivered by Dr. Suresh U. Kumar, professor of entrepreneurship at the New Jersey Institute of Technology, former president of TiE-New Jersey, and author of the Amazon #1 bestselling novel The Girl in Scarlet Hijab.
