(Letter from Benoy Thoams, general secretary; see the visuals of gate, stage etc below)

I am happy to share with you that Kottayam is getting ready to host the FOMAA convention on January 14th, which will take place at the Mammen Mappilai Hall from 9 am onwards.

Here is the tentative agenda:

9:00 am – Inauguration

11:30 am  - Bridging of the Minds, a panel discussion on a FOMAA initiative to facilitate greater cooperation between Kerala and North America. Topics that will be covered include launching a human virology institute, a project on waste management and cooperation on education between universities in Kerala and the United States, under
the framework of the U.S.-India education cooperation agreement.
Chair: Ambassador T.P. Sreenivasan
1:00 pm  - Lunch

3:00 pm  - Malayalathinu Orupidy Dollar Scholarship award ceremony, which will honor outstanding students in Malayalam BA, MA and M. Phil and Journalism MA programs at Mahatma Gandhi University. (We are partnering with Malayala Manorama on this.)
- Eye for Blind, distribution of fund for those who are undergoing eye surgery, in association with Lions Eye Care Charitable Hospital, Paika, and Malayalee Association of Rockland County.

4:00 pm  -  Coffee break

5:30 pm  -  Public Meeting

7:00 pm  - Dinner

8:00 pm - Cultural Program

Jan 15: Sunday

9:00 am:  Backwater cruise, covering Kumarakom, Pathiramanal and Alleppy

The dinner and cultural program are sponsored by Eric Shoes, New York; Rajan Jewellery, Thiruvalla & Vijayalakshmi Silks, Thiruvalla.

We are expecting a number of central and state ministers, and cultural and political leaders.

So far, to the best of my knowledge, some 50 people from US (including officials and well-wishers) will be attending the conference. I encourage you all to come and participate, if possible. Also please spread the word among you family members and friends in Kerala.
Please find attached the visuals of the gate, the stage, the flag and the arch, just to give you an idea about the preparations.
For those who need help with the hotel, please contact Stanly Kalarikkamury at 847-877-3316, the Kerala Convention chair.

Benoy Thomas,
General Secretary, FOMAA