പട്ടാളച്ചിട്ട പാവങ്ങള പട്ടിണിയാക്കി പച്ച വെള്ളത്തിനും സെക്യൂരിറ്റി മുന്ന് ഡോളർ പോലും വിലയില്ലാത്ത ഫുഡ്‌ .കണ്‍വെൻഷൻ വിജയിച്ചു . നാണം ഇല്ലാത്ത കമന്റ്സ് .

It was too much security for a $5 food. On Friday some people did not even get the food. We went outside and eat. However one thing I agree, I attended all the 4 convention of FOMAA, This was the best convention of all the other conventions. Lot more people (3000 plus), more political leaders, lot more intersting discussions, professional summit, Volleyball, basket ball and chess games...... Kudos to Gladson, Aniyan and George.

Many people were drunk and sitting in the room and that is why they didn't get food and don't blame others for that. Once people are drunk they think they are VIP's and security is not for them. Many people were doing bla bla bla after taking too much alcohol and nobody did understand what they were asking for. One guy was shouting for Kappa Kari and black Label. First learn how to attend a large meeting like this and then there won't be much to complaint about. Typical Malayaalees and kabhi bhee sudereka nahi.

Sorry to hear of the complaints expressed in this forum about the FOMAA convention. It is lots of hard work to conduct a convention. The organizers try to make the convention go smooth and pleasant. Sometimes situations beyond control of organizers can arise. So we might give the benefit of doubt to the organizers, and try to make it better next time. 

Conventions are important to organize the community here. But if the organizers lose focus of the goal and purpose of conventions, it can be a waste of time, money and energy. 

I was involved with FOMAA in the beginning with the bylaw committee. I got disenchanted with the lack of leadership and vision. This reminds me of a person who got elected as a city mayor. Once elected, he doesn’t know what a Mayor is supposed to do. There are many who get elected for media coverage, publicity, photo opportunities and the recognition that come with it. They do not know how to strengthen the community here.

I expressed my opposition to the name FOMAA at the first meeting in New Jersey. The word ‘Malayalee’ is from the language Malayalam. Our children do not know this language, and so they can’t identify as Malayalees. They do not call themselves Malayalees. You can’t join an organization, if you can’t identify with it. We do not join an organization that is named ‘Black American’. ‘American Keralites’ is a name our children can identify with, for a sense of belonging. If we can’t organize our children here, our future is bleak here.

The second objection I had with the leadership was in selecting the city of Las Vegas for the first convention after the formation of FOMAA. What benefit our community gain in conducting a convention in Las Vegas? What is the symbolism of Las Vegas? Spending our hard earned money on five star hotels and entertainment, will it strengthen our community here?  

We all work hard, and pay a lot of money as taxes and fees to the government. Are we not concerned that we are not getting a share of the tax money back into our community to strengthen our economic base here?  Who gets what percentage of this tax money (politics) is decided in the school board, or city council or congress, or by the people in the administration. If want to see our community strong here, we need to strengthen our economic and political base. The strength of the white community is that they get Lion’s share of the construction and other contracts. Money is raised through bonds, and this money goes to selected businesses. Our job is to work hard and pay taxes. 

The primary goal of the leadership of Malayalee Associations in cities and FOMAA and FOKANA must be to strengthen the community here. Conventions and cultural programs are to organize the community here and to educate them, and to send the right messages to them. What is the message that people took home after the convention. If the leadership has no vision then these conventions are a waste. 

If we have to live here with dignity, our community needs to get organized. Recently we had incidents in which our children got killed and we didn’t get justice. When we approach politicians, they will check how organized our community is. They will check how many people from our community voted in the past elections. If our people do not vote in the election, they might think, why I should help them as I am not going to get any vote from them. 

So we need a rethinking as to the goal and purpose of these conventions to benefit our larger community here. 

Ninan Mathullah

Mr. Ninan Matthulla made a good point. Our community is so disorganized and there is no vision and no message. Most of the leaders think the best convention is judged based on how many politicians are brought from Kerala and projected here. Some of these leaders may have investments in Kerala and their association with the politicians is beneficial for them to protect their wealth. For that, they are using some of the scapegoats helter-skelter to become an under Secretary or a VP. There were so many incident happened in our community and parents are looking for answers from the authorities but no avail. As Matthulla said, there is nobody there to speak for them. FOAMMA & FOKKANA names are disgusting and it doesn’t make any sense. Many people laugh at Karampans and their behavior but when it comes to their community and issues; they are united and the reverberation can be heard at Washington D.C. Read the plea of a sister (E-malayaalee) for finding out her brother disappeared in Florida without any leaving any clue. I haven’t even seen a comment on it. Where is the Justice of Peace? Where is FOAMMA? Where is FOKKANA? Where is World Malayaalee Council? Where are those Bishops, Saniyaasises, Mullahs, pasters and all guardian angels? Where are they? Are they sitting in their thrones and waiting for revelation! Time and again we proved beyond doubt that the Malayaalee community is so screwed up and they cannot do any damn thing here. Most Malayalees are mentally at Kerala and their dead bodies are walking around in USA. Please go back to Kerala, if you cannot get integrated with this community, with your Chenda and Mutthu Kuda.

People write comments under "Jaran" "are our FOKANA Friends never been to this convention and make a bad image for FOMAA. The FOMAA convention we had in Philadelphia was one of the best convention, well organized, well attended, with lots of VIPs...... Offcourse there are some small hiccups. That happens to any large convention of a relegious organization or Secular organization.

You have to go watch how goof conference s