New team to celebrate Easter and Vishu on April 10
Venkat Raman
Auckland, April 3, 2021
The Auckland Malayali Samajam, arguably the oldest organisation in New Zealand serving the people of Kerala, has reinvigorated itself with a new team of office-bearers.
Soby Bernard Thomas was elected President at the Annual General Meeting held on February 21, 2021. He was associated with the Samajam earlier as Event Coordinator and in other positions.
Easter-Vishu combined
The first programme of the new Committee would be Easter-Vishu Celebration on April 10, 2021 at Blockhouse bay Community Centre located at 524 Blockhouse Bay Road, Blockhouse Bay.
Dr Deborah Russell, Parliamentary Permanent Undersecretary for Revenue and Elected Member of Parliament from New Lynn will be the Chief Guest at the Festival.
“Our Easter-Vishu will be our first cultural and religious festival this year and will be dedicated to our frontline heroes for their dedication and commitment that helped us together as a team of five million to get through the tough period,” Soby said.
New Team, new spirit
Among the other officers elected to various posts were Dr Abin Mathew (Secretary), Allen Joy (Vice-President), Kavitha Raj (Joint Secretary), Thomas Puthukayil (Treasurer), Sambu Sreekumar, Dr Sam Mathai, Reneesha Faizal, Sangeetha Krishnakumar and Jobi Kunnath (Executive Committee Members), Subhash Regunathan, Sonia Ritto, Arati Ravindran-Vetal, Jithin Mohan and Lenine Abraham (Area Representatives).
Soby said that since its establishment 22 years ago, the Auckland Malayali Samajam has been at the forefront of connecting, recognising and promoting cultural diversity through festivals and events in Tamaki Makaurau.
“Year 2020 was the toughest year for our community as we had to cancel all our cultural events including Onam and Vishu due to Covid-19 pandemic. The new team will lead our community to support in every possible front to get their voices heard in socio-cultural fabric of Aotearoa New Zealand,” he said.
About Vishu
The people of Kerala celebrate Vishu usually in April. It is characterised in Malayali homes by the ‘first sighting’ (‘Vishukkani’) of auspicious articles ceremoniously placed before a lamp. Elders give cash presents to dependents and relatives do so to those younger to them. This is called ‘Kaineettam’ (extending the hand).
Vishu is also marked in Tamil Nadu. This year, the celebration occurs on April 14.
“Our forthcoming event will be an occasion to express our solidarity as Keralites, despite our varied religious beliefs and showcase the rich cultural and social heritage to members of other ethnic groups. The Programme will comprise music, dance, cultural performances and a special programme for children, followed by dinner,” Soby said.
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