A fun day for youngsters and adults alike.
The Kerala Center of Elmont, New York, celebrated India’s Independence Day by hoisting the tricolor and hosting a day of fun and games along with a barbecue dinner, for children and adults, on August 14th.
India’s flag was hoisted on the center’s flagpole by Dr. Madhu Bhaskaran, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Kerala Center, with the singing of the national anthem by Lauren Vattakalam.
Thambi Thalappillil, the Center’s President welcomed the gathering to the celebration and introduced Board Member Abraham Thomas as the event coordinator.
Thomas stated that the festivities were youth-oriented and put together by the Center’s Youth Club Committee: Jake Thottam, Joel Thomas, Amrita Pulianapallil, Noel Kuzhiparambil, Melvin Manumkal, Anil Paradiyil, Jasmin Uralil, Niel Chaco, Maryann Philip and Lauren Vattakalam.
Dr. Bhaskaran inaugurated the day’s games and activities for youngsters. Dilip Varghese, a Founder Grand Patron of the Center, played a few of those games, at a dollar for a try. The floor was arranged not with rows of chairs as for a formal meeting, but with various play stations.
The adults competed in card games, the popular 28 and 56 games. There were 36 participants, at $10 per head, for 28 and 56.
The competition progressed through elimination, semi-finals and finals. The tournament winners received medals and cash awards.
The winners of the card games are – Game 56: Somanathan Nair, Jose Madathilkunnel and Mathew Chacko; second: Jose Thottam, Thomas Thottam and James Pattiyalil. Game 28 – Binchu John, Abraham Abraham, and Anthony Kunjeria; second: Raju Thomas, Dr. Nandakumar Chanayil and Sani Ambookan.
A fund-raising raffle saw a winner too at the meet which concluded with dinner.