Page 16 - The Indian EYE 041924

NORTH AMERICAN Newsline APRIL 19, 2024 | The Indian Eye 16

NYC Mayor Proclaims April 6th as Dr. Thomas

Abraham Day at The Dedication Ceremony of

Dr. Thomas Abraham Library

OUR BUREAU
New York, NY
r. Thomas Abraham, Chair-
man of the Global Organi-
Dzation of People of Indian
Origin (GOPIO) was honored for his
contribution of 50 years of service to
the Indian Diaspora community and
India by dedication of Dr. Thomas
Abraham Library at the Indian Amer-
ican Kerala Cultural and Civic Center
in Elmont, New York. New York City
Mayor Eric Adams proclaimed April
6th as Dr. Thomas Abraham Day in
honor of the new library opening. Consul General Pradhan Cutting the Ribbon at the Dr. Thomas Abraham Library-1
Indian Consul General Binaya Sri-
kanta Pradhan inaugurated the library
at a festive event at the Center, attend-
ed by cross section of the community
on April 6. Apart from books, the
library also contains historical docu-
ments depicting the growth of the Indi-
an American community and history of
Indian Diaspora community, especially
from the collections of Dr. Abraham.
Dr. Abraham, whose communi-
ty work spans a half century, is noted
for founding several organizations
which have become big institutions of
the Indian American community and
the global Indian Diaspora commu- Consul General Binaya Pradhan Speaking and New York City proclamation presented
nity. Dr. Abraham has been serving
the NRI/PIO community for the last
51 years. He served as the founder
president of the Federation of Indian
Associations (FIA) of New York in
the 1970s which organizes the largest
India Day Parade outside India and
the National Federation of Indian
American Associations (NFIA) in the
1980s. Dr. Abraham currently serves
as the Chairman of Global Organiza-
tion of People of Indian Origin (GO-
PIO) which he founded in 1989 and as
Chairman of the Board of Directors
of Indian American Kerala Center in Dr. Abraham with GOPIO-CT Officials and the original Team of 1970s and ‘80s
New York and was a Co-Founder of
the Center. Dr. Abraham also served for Social Services (SACSS). an National Anthems by Ms. Lauren zations have empowered the Indian
as the Co-Chairman of the fund-rais- Library Committee Member Vattakalam. Kerala Center President community over the last 50 years.
ing campaign to institute a chair for Abraham Thomas started the pro- Alex Estappan in his welcome speech A ribbon cutting ceremony was
Indian studies at Columbia Universi- gram with a brief welcome and then noted that Dr. Abraham was the held at the library hall with Consul
ty. Two other groups initiated by Dr. introducing Kerala Center Vice Pres- founder of most of the major Indian General Pradhan cutting the ribbon
Abraham are National Indian Amer- ident Daisy Stephen, who served as community organizations in the New along with dignitaries. Kerala Center
ican Association for Senior Citizens the MC. The program was started York area including FIA New York, officials and immediate family mem-
(NIAASC) and South Asian Council with rendering American and Indi- NFIA and GOPIO. These organi- Continued on next page... >>

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