Latest news with #WorldMalayaleeCouncil
The Hindu
05-07-2025
- General
- The Hindu
Award-winning teacher EC Sabu on teaching Malayalam to other language speakers for 35 years
Every Sunday, students from across the country, also a couple of them from Nigeria, eagerly await a WhatsApp alert. Like clockwork, the message pings at 11am, and a virtual classroom transports them to the backwaters of Kerala as E C Sabu, an award-winning teacher introduces them to Malayalam words like vallamkali, vanchipaatu, and kaayal. As the third batch of Amrutham Malayalam, a seven-month online Malayalam course offered by the World Malayalee Council, Coimbatore Province begins, Sabu says, 'Our students are a mixed group of professors, doctors, retirees, school children, and teachers who speak Marathi, Telugu, Kannada, Urdu or any language. It's a big thrill for them to read name boards in Malayalam while travelling in Kerala.' An award-winning teacher, Sabu served as vice-principal, later as principal of CMS Higher Secondary School before retiring from active teaching this May. 'I wanted to be a journalist but ended up becoming a Malayalam PG Assistant in 1990 at CMS School. My first batch of class XII students are over 52 years old now,' he says as he reflects upon his 35-year journey in teaching. Around the same time, he also became a part of Coimbatore Malayalee Samajam's seven-month certificate course that opened its doors to learning Malayalam for non-native speakers. 'The course is on its way to set a record as the longest running course in any regional language. Kerala's State Resource Centre (under the Ministry of Human Resources Development, Government of India) was our sponsor for three decades. Now, with World Malayalee Council's online course for the last three years, the reach has been immense.' In the 1990s, Tamil speakers enrolled in large numbers, especially students of MA Tamil in Bharathiar University, he recalls. Poet Sirpi Balasubramaniam who headed the Tamil department made it mandatory for students to clear a paper in Malayalam. 'Once, 14 Tamil PhD students from the University joined the course and scored cent percent marks in Malayalam exams at the end of the course. They are all now HoDs of Tamil in various colleges, like Dr Uma Maheswari at Government College in Chittoor, Kerala and others at Government College, Ooty and Maharaja College, Erode,' he reminisces, adding that the course is a melting pot of cultures giving rise to new friendships. Sabu's teaching method begins with easy letters before moving on to forms, sentences, grammar, translation, and spoken language. Every year, a number of non-native speakers attend to understand Kerala's art and culture, its landscape, people and literature. Over the last three decades, the certificate course evolved as a literary movement. One of the students translated celebrated Malayalam writer Vaikom Mohammed Basheer's works in Tamil. Another PhD student who joined the course while doing her study on comparative literature on the works of Tamil writer Nanjil Nadan and Malayalam writer CV Balakrishnan turned author with a translation of Malayalam short stories. Sabu who has received a number of awards — Ezhuthani Award, Panditha Sresta Award and Krishna Mangad Cherukatha Award (for his short story) — cant's stop talking about his students. 'The hard work and dedication of my students keeps me going. In the current batch, we have Dorothy, a Bengali who has beautifully picked up the nuances and speaks impeccable Malayalam now. Cardiologist Dr Matheswaran has started conversing with his patients from Kerala. Some join the course because their neighbours are from Kerala or if they are employed in firms run by Malayalees. Then, there are polyglots who join for the sheer love of languages. One of the students Dr Viswaroop is a native Telugu speaker, but also knows Kannada, Tamil and now Malayalam.' While teaching, his social outings come to a standstill. 'I have to thank my wife, K Chitra, a retired Hindi professor, my daughter S Lakshmipriya, my son-in-law J Murali Krishnan, my grand daughter Parvathi Krishna for being supportive. I feel charged when I am with my students. They understand what keeps me motivated,' he says adding that his high schooling at NSS High School at Pala in Kerala drew him closer to the language. 'Especially my Malayalam teachers like Raghavan Nair and Velu Pillai who introduced me to the nuances. It was a turning point in my journey. Later in college, the first batch of Mahatma Gandhi University in Kottayam, our vice-chancellor was U R Ananthamurthy, Gnanapith award winner.' Teaching Malayalam to a mixed group has become a part of his life, says Sabu. 'Learning a new language is not just about letters. It's an introduction to culture, geography, lifestyle. We highlight all these in the classes to make it engaging and alive. Based on my experience, I know the challenges faced by students in learning a new language, so my methodology takes into account these aspects. While joining the course, the question on everyone's mind is 'Is it possible to master a language in seven months?' But once I see the progress, I feel overjoyed.' As for his future plans, he wants to move back to his hometown Pala in Kerala and start farming. 'I have built a house there and we have already planted jackfruit, mango, and pepper. But, the online classes will continue without any break,' he says, adding, 'There is no full stop to learning.' To know more on the upcoming batches of online Malayalam classes, call 9486477891/ 6380701846
Arabian Post
04-07-2025
- Business
- Arabian Post
New leadership for World Malayalee Council
Sharjah, UAE — The World Malayalee Council (WMC) inaugurated a new chapter of global engagement and community empowerment with the swearing-in of its newly elected global office bearers for the 2025–2027 term. The ceremonial installation, held at the Corniche Hotel in Sharjah, marked not only a leadership transition but also a reaffirmation of the Council's enduring mission to connect, empower, and elevate Malayalees across the world. At the forefront of this renewed vision is Dr. Isaac John Pattaniparambil, who assumes charge as Global Chairman. A distinguished journalist and public intellectual with over five decades of service in the UAE's media landscape, Dr. Isaac currently serves as Managing Editor of Khaleej Times, one of the Gulf region's most influential English-language newspapers. His leadership promises a period of strategic expansion and inclusive engagement rooted in experience and deep diaspora insight. ADVERTISEMENT Dr. Isaac is no newcomer to WMC, having previously served as Global Chairman and President (2012–2018), as well as Global Ambassador and Advisory Board Chair. His longstanding association with the Council has been pivotal in shaping its international growth and identity. Under his renewed stewardship, WMC is expected to further broaden its influence across its 78 provinces in 30 countries, while fostering innovative collaborations and elevating the global Malayalee narrative. Joining him in steering the Council forward is Baby Mathew Somatheeram, elected as the Global President. An acclaimed figure in Kerala's tourism sector, Baby Mathew is Chairman of Somatheeram Group of Resorts, known internationally for pioneering Ayurveda tourism and sustainable hospitality practices. Within WMC, he has held several key positions and is known for his strategic vision, grassroots orientation, and commitment to youth engagement and entrepreneurial development. Other key appointments include Moosa Koya (General Secretary, Al Kobar), Thomas Chellath (Treasurer, Dallas), and Johnny Kuruvilla (Global Goodwill Ambassador, Muscat). The leadership team also features Dr. Sasi Nadakkal (Kollam) as Vice President (Administration), further reinforcing a leadership mix that blends experience with fresh perspectives. The event was graced by prominent dignitaries, including Ramesh Chennithala, former Kerala Home Minister and State Congress President; Ambassador T.P. Sreenivasan, veteran diplomat; P.H. Kurian, former Additional Chief Secretary of Kerala; and Sanjeev Joseph, Kerala MLA. In their congratulatory addresses, the guests lauded the incoming leadership for their integrity, commitment, and vision, and expressed confidence in WMC's role as a unifying platform for Malayalees worldwide. The new leadership team is expected to focus on key strategic areas, including cross-cultural dialogue, professional networking, and philanthropic outreach. Plans are already underway to amplify WMC's participation in international forums, scale up educational initiatives, and drive social impact projects across regions with significant Malayalee presence. Representing a global diaspora known for its resilience, talent, and cultural depth, WMC's 2025–2027 team embodies the Council's founding ideals of unity, service, and purpose. With an inclusive and forward-looking agenda, the organisation stands poised to strengthen its role as a beacon of Malayalee identity and excellence on the world stage. Also published on Medium. Notice an issue? Arabian Post strives to deliver the most accurate and reliable information to its readers. If you believe you have identified an error or inconsistency in this article, please don't hesitate to contact our editorial team at editor[at]thearabianpost[dot]com. We are committed to promptly addressing any concerns and ensuring the highest level of journalistic integrity.
New Indian Express
22-05-2025
- Business
- New Indian Express
Sydney World Malayalee Council to enhance global Malayalee interests amid growing Australia–India relations
The World Malayalee Council (WMC) Sydney, a multicultural Malayalee Diaspora community, pledged to work towards the interests of the Global Malayalee community as India and Australia continue to deepen bilateral relations. The newly elected leadership of WMC Sydney stressed the formation and implementation of a comprehensive action plan which reflects the needs of the global Malayalee community and aligns with Kerala's inclusive development. WMC Sydney focuses on helping people from Kerala, especially women, MSMEs and youth entrepreneurs, to seize opportunities in Australia and beyond. The team also plans to conduct exchange programs across different sectors such as Art, Culture, Music, Film and Fashion between the Multicultural Diaspora in Australia and Kerala. The team also plans to offer Skill Development and professional mobility pathway programs to professionals from Kerala and the global Malayalee community to find opportunities in Australia. Bilateral Tourism and Cultural Connects will also be enhanced by facilitating a potential Biennale Bridge between Kerala and Australia. By leveraging a strong support of the Malayalee Diaspora in Australia, the new leadership also intends to support government agencies and industry bodies to enhance trade and investment initiatives between Kerala and Australia. The team also reinforced its aim to support social impact and welfare initiatives with Kerala.
Indian Express
11-05-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
Delhi Confidential: 1 port, many claimants
AS THE debate over credit for Vizhinjam International Seaport, inaugurated recently by PM Narendra Modi in the presence of Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan and other leaders, continues, Thiruvananthapuram MP Shashi Tharoor has a different story on how the project was born. Speaking at a function organised by World Malayalee Council in the Capital, the Congress leader said former CM of Kerala, the late Oommen Chandy, had requested him to use his 'international connections' to find an investor to make the project a reality. Later, Tharoor met industrialist Gautam Adani at an airport and they happened to travel together. During the trip, Tharoor said, he convinced Adani to take up the project. 'That's how it started,' he said. Exam Tension Pakistan's escalatory action on the intervening night of May 8-9 sent officers of the Education Ministry into a huddle on Friday and briefly on Saturday over the conduct of upcoming high-stakes entrance tests like JEE Advanced and CUET. It is learnt that the NTA was considering postponing CUET for the border states, and IITs were considering reassigning centres closer to the border areas to other places. However, after the ceasefire announcement, everything seems back on track. First For CJI Office When Justice B R Gavai takes oath as the Chief Justice of India on May 14, he is set to be the first practicing Buddhist to hold that position. Incidentally, on Monday he is likely to visit the Shanti Stupa in the Capital to celebrate Buddha Purnima and offer prayers before he takes over the top office. Justice Gavai's father R S Gavai was among the nearly 4 lakh people who were initiated into Buddhism in 1956 in Nagpur by Dr B R Ambedkar.
