“Expatriates live two lives in one life. Even while living abroad, expats hold their mother tongue Malayalam close to their heart and love their native state Kerala,” said Indian lawmaker Jose K Mani. Mani was speaking at the inauguration ceremony of the 9th annual conference of the Kottayam District Association Kuwait (KDAK) in Abbasiya.

“The role of expatriates in the development of Kerala is invaluable,” Mani said adding that the contribution of expatriates is the face of Kerala today. President Chessil Cherian Ramapuram presided over the meeting of ‘Kottayam Mahotsavam 2025’. Jijuna Unni, Hamsa Payyanur, Mohan George, Ladies Wing Chairperson Tresa Abraham, Sam Nanthiyat and Jacob Channapetta extended their greetings.

Mani was presented with a gold medal by KDAK President Chessil Cherian. Subsequently, entrepreneurs from Kottayam district, including CV Paul, Saji Zakaria, Sony Sebastian, Shafeeq Rahman, Kishore Sebastian, Shibu Paul, Dominic Mathew, Mathew Philip Tharakan, Jobin P John, Subi John, Ajith Panicker, and journalist Anil P Alex, were honored with mementos by the chief guest Mani.

General Secretary Ajith Zacharia Peter welcomed the meeting, Vice Presidents Harikrishnan Mohan, Harold Mathew, Program Convener Sam Nanthiyat, Advisory Committee Members Mohan George, Anil P Alex, Sunny Thomas, Sony Sebastian, Shafiq Rahman, office-bearers of local associations in Kottayam District Biju Simon Ayarkunnam Association, Antony Peter - Changanassery, Justin Joseph - Perur, Ajith- Tellakam, Tijo Thomas - Thrikkodithanam, Suneesh Mathew - Kadaplamatam, Rari Varghese - Vakathanam, Biju Abraham, Ramapuram College Alumni Association office-bearers Mathew Zacharia – Baselios College Kottayam, Rajesh Varkey- CMS Kottayam, Sylvie Jose - Devamatha College, John P Abraham - KG College, Zacharia - Manarkad St Mary’s College, Tommy Cyriac — St Thomas College Pala, Shibu Pallikal — SB College Changanachery as well as Renee Jacob representing the Kottayam Club and Suresh T Isaac, representative of the Kuwait Kerala Native Ball Federation, were also present on the stage.

Sports talents Irene Kishore Chooraneli, Jeremy Nanthyatt, and Eric Sibi were honored. Prizes for individual excellence in the folk ball competition organized by KDAK were distributed to the best ball catcher Eban, best player Ajo, best ballfooter Robichan, best ball handler Jithu, and best ball picker Jijo. Program General Convener K J John expressed his vote of thanks.

Following the official ceremony, a musical evening featuring well-known south Indian singer G Venugopal and his son Aravind Venugopal was held. Playback singer Nayana Nair, singer Veepin Xavier, and stand-up comedian Reji Ramapuram also performed during the event.