FOKANA convention celebrates Malayalee American heritage

The 21^st biennial convention of the Federation of Malayalee Associations of North America (Fokana) showcased a vibrant celebration of Malayalee American life and culture in the nation’s capital. Held at the Montgomery County Convention Center in Bethesda, MD, from July 18 to 21, the event attracted more than 1,300 delegates from across the United States

The convention, the second to be held in the Washington area since Fokana’s founding in the early 1980s, featured an array of events ranging from traditional cultural performances and beauty pageants to thought-provoking discussions.

They highlighted the rich heritage of Malayalee Americans and the dynamic contributions of the community to both the United States and Kerala.

Indian American Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi set an inspiring tone with his inaugural address on the evening of July 18. The Illinois Democrat emphasized the vital role that the Malayalee community, specifically, and Indian Americans, in general, play in the United States, underscoring their contributions to fostering cross-cultural understanding.

Noting that Fokana represents the interests of 300,000 Keralites in the United States, he stated that the organization lives up to its name. “There’s an old saying on Capitol Hill, which is, ‘If you don’t have a seat at the table, you’re on the menu,’” the congressman said. “Fokana and its leadership, and [President] Babu Stephen”—whom Krishnamoorthi described as “one of the most generous, hardworking, and successful entrepreneurs of Indian origin in the United States” — “make sure that the Keralite community and the Indian American community have a seat at the table.”

In his presidential address, Stephen, who led the organization for the past two years, emphasized that Malayalee Americans need to step up their political engagement. He highlighted that during his presidency, increasing political involvement was one of his focus areas, noting that Fokana has instituted an internship program placing students on Capitol Hill.

The outgoing president also paid homage to Madhavan Arinurdhan, the founder of Fokana, and called for greater political participation from Malayalee Americans.

Francis George, a Member of Parliament from India, lauded Fokana’s efforts in supporting Kerala. He urged the diaspora to contribute more significantly to building educational institutions that could rival the best in the world. His appeal was a reminder of the global Malayalee community’s potential to drive progress in their home state.

Adding a historical perspective, former Indian diplomat T.P. Sreenivasan reflected on Fokana’s early days. He recounted the organization’s formation, spurred by encouragement from the then-Ambassador of India to the U.S. and future President K.R. Narayanan.

Popular Malayalam actor and Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) Mukesh brought a touch of star power to the event. He profusely praised the contributions of the Malayalee diaspora, highlighting their cultural and social impact.

Other prominent guests who spoke at the convention included well-known Malayalee poet Murukan Kattakada, Reporter channel anchor Nikesh Kumar, and businessman and film producer Salil Sankaran, the president of the technology company Ampcus, Inc.

Highlights of the final day of the event on Saturday included a concert by singer Vivekanandan and a beauty pageant that crowned Miss Fokana.

Also on the last day, the convention honored Dr. Madhavan V. Pillai, a Clinical Professor of Oncology at Thomas Jefferson University’s Sidney Kimmel Medical College, with Fokana’s Lifetime Achievement Award. Pillai has been a well-known presence within the Malayalee American community for decades, both as an oncologist and a prominent cultural voice of the diaspora.

Another notable honoree was Kattakada, who stormed into the Malayalee consciousness with his poem “Kannada.” After receiving the award from Sreenivasan, he recited lines from that poem in his baritone voice.

Before the curtains fell on this year’s convention, a new leadership team was elected to guide Fokana for the next two years, with Sajimon Antony as the president, Sreekumar Unnithan as the general secretary, and Joy Chakkappan as the treasurer. Other elected officials are Praveen Thomas (executive vice president), Vipin Raj (vice president), Revathi Pillai (Women’s Forum president), Manoj Idamana (associate secretary), John Kallolikkal (associate treasurer), Appukuttan Pillai (additional associate secretary), and Millie Philip (additional associate treasurer).