We are writing this letter in response to an electronic newsletter"Nerkazcha" published from Chicago couple of days ago under the editorship of Jose Pinarkayil and Jose Kaniyali and Saju Kannampally. Nerkazcha falsely claims that Chicago KCS under President,George Thottapuram, nurtures groupism and nepotism. We would like to clarify some facts about what is actually going on in Chicago.

When we had National Council meeting here in Chicago last month, we got the mandate from its members to hold convention here next year. National Council members had some doubts whether Chicago was ready to hold a convention here considering the circumstances of last year, which led our ludicrous failure to hold a convention in 2012. However, we were able to convince NC members that we have learned from our mistakes and that we were in full compliance with KCCNA Constitution in the matter of selecting Convention Chairman and other committee members after the agreement reached by a clear majority of members during Special General Body meeting held in February 2013. How can somebody say repeatedly that it was not the right decision? We should understand that what the majority says in a democracy will be considered legal.  We should remember that Chicago KCS members elected National Council members during general election last November delegating certain duties to them for carrying out. One of their duties is to elect committee members for the Convention. We should trust these members and let them make the decision. This is how democracy works. This is how all other Knanaya associations operate in other states.

We would like to inform concerned members that the KCS executive has just begun the Herculean task of exploring different ideas, suggestions and opinions from our members with a view to making this convention the most successful and highest attended convention ever in KCCNA history. Many members do not want a repeat of any unusual incidents that led to our shameful debacle last year. They wanted to be cautious and vigilant this time. In response, we have promised to our members that KCS will do the best for the community.

In order to fulfil this promise, KCS executive will inform all our members through the KCS Newsletter and email regarding the selection process of different committee chairpersons and co-chair persons. KCS will give equal opportunities to all KCS members to express their desire to become either committee chairpersons or co-chair persons. If more than one person is interested for a position, KCS will have a dialogue with interested parties to come up with an amicable solution. If a solution is not possible in this way, twelve national council members will have the best interest of our community and a dream of conducting a great convention in mind when selecting the person for the position in dispute.

KCS cannot designate or allocate a certain number of committee chairpersons or co-chairpersons on the basis of any group affiliation. We think allocation of position according to group affiliation can send a wrong message in our community. KCS executive can only treat all members alike. We have only elected Convention Chairman as per the KCCNA Constitution. We will have no idea about how many committee positions will be given to us until after the Nation Council meeting in New York in May, 2013.

You all get a fair chance to apply for any committee chairpersons or co-chairpersons when KCS executive publish the different committee positions via KCS Newsletter, KCS email and KCS website. We sincerely request members to refrain from circulating unnecessary confusion among members that can undermine our credibility among people outside Chicago. Does anybody want to be continued to be tormented by shame and utter failure? Let us move forward in unison and hold a convention of unmatched beauty and grandeur to the surprise of everyone who witnessed our ugly politics!

We would like to inform our members that Knanya Voice got paid (not volunteer work) for covering Knanaya Rally and Jose Kaniyali was a member  of the Action Council formed by KCS and he was in charge of providing news to media outlets regarding rally. How can these two guys take credit for doing these things? How lucky we are that those who participated in rally and others who did other volunteer work are not seeking any credit! There is an elected executive to publish official newsletter and it is not advisable to offer a counter newsletter uttering false accusations with the sole aim of ruining the great Chicago Knanaya community under the disguise of doing community service and advocating endogamy practice.

Sincerely,

Chicago KCS executive,

George Thottappuram

Jessmon Puramadathil

Juby Vennalasseril

Babu Thaipparambil

Justin Thengnatt