Jenifer Rajkumar seeks to designate May as Malayalee Heritage Month in New York

New York State’s Indian American Assembly member Jenifer Rajkumar has introduced a legislative resolution to designate May 2025 as Malayalee Heritage Month in the state.

“Today I made history by introducing Malayalee Heritage Month in New York State,” she posted on X. “I was proud to welcome New York’s Malayali leaders to the Capitol for this powerful moment. I’m committed to bringing all of New York’s emerging communities to the table—meaningfully and boldly.”

Assembly Resolution 558 recognizes the cultural contributions of the Malayali people—originating from Kerala, India—and their significant presence across New York.  It underscores the broader achievements of Asian and Asian-Pacific Islander Americans, with a particular focus on the Malayali community’s role in enriching the state’s cultural landscape.

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According to the 2012 U.S. Census, approximately 644,097 people of Malayali heritage reside in the United States, with the largest concentrations in Bergen County, New Jersey, and Rockland County, New York.

To commemorate the occasion, Rajkumar, the first Indian American elected to the New York State Legislature, welcomed a delegation of Malayali leaders from across the state to the Assembly session on May 21.

Addressing the Assembly, Rajkumar paid tribute to the Pioneer Club of Keralites—one of New York’s oldest Malayali organizations—and introduced its members from the Assembly floor.

“The Pioneer Club represents a trailblazing community of Malayalis, the people of Kerala, a beautiful and vibrant state on the southwestern coast of India, known for its lush greenery, backwaters, high literacy, and deep traditions of pluralism,” she said.

Rajkumar emphasized the cultural unity of the Malayali community across faiths—Christian, Hindu, and others—highlighting their shared values of public service, education, and community leadership.

“Kerala is often called God’s own country, and its sons and daughters here in New York carry that spirit with them, giving back as doctors, spiritual leaders, teachers, entrepreneurs, and advocates for justice and peace,” she said.

Several prominent members of the Malayali community were recognized during the session, including Christian Bishop John C. Itty, Hindu guru Dileepkumar Thankappan, and numerous other community leaders and families.

If passed, Malayalee Heritage Month will be observed annually in the state through cultural and educational programs that spotlight Kerala’s traditions and the impact of the Malayali diaspora in New York.