Indian American Kerala Cultural and Civic Center, Inc. (The Kerala Center) celebrated its 34thAnnual Awards Dinner at the Center’s auditorium in Elmont, NY on Saturday, October 24, 2026. The Center honored nine individuals who made notable contributions in their professions and to the society with their selfless dedication.
This year’s honorees and their categories of recognition are: Legislator Anant Nambiar – Political Leadership and keynote speaker, Dr. Joe Verghese – Medicine, Dr. Beena S. Peters – Nursing Leadership, Dr. Girish Kumar Panicker – Applied Science, T. S. Nandakumar – Performing Arts, Sibi David – Community Service, Prince Johnson – Education, Jose Cheripuram – Pravasi Malayalam Literature and Shibu Madhu – Govt. and Public Service.
Photo: Kerala Center Awardees 2026, from l. to r.: Shibu Madhu, Sibi David, Dr. Girish Kumar Panicker; Dr. Beena S. Peters, T. S. Nandakumar, Prince Johnson, Dr. Joe Verghese and Jose Cheripuram.
The program commenced with introductory remarks and welcoming of the MC, Daisy Stephen Pallipparambil, by Jeswin Samuel, Board Member and Program Convener. Following the remarks by the MC, American National anthem was sung by Bailey Stephen and Indian National Anthem by Bincy Cherian. President Alex K. Esthappan welcomed everyone and provided a brief description of the activities and goals of the Kerala Center. Nassau County Legislator Carrie Solages and former Senator Kevin Thomas were the dignitaries present to say felicitations and present awards.
After president’s welcome, Dr. Thomas Abraham, Chairman of the Trustee Board and Award Committee member made his remarks. The Board and Award Committee Chairman Dr. Madhu Bhaskaran explained the process of selecting the awardees and introduced the keynote speaker and awardee in the category of political leadership, Legislator Anant Nambiar. Legislator Nambiar in his speech encouraged the Indian American community to get involved in neighborhood communities and political process of this country instead of simply treating this country as an ATM machine. Varkey Abraham, Grand Patron and Trustee Board member of the Kerala Center, presented the award.
Photo: Westchester County Legislator Anant Nambiar receiving award for political leadership from Kerala Center Trustee Varkey Abraham. Other in the photo are: Kerala Center officials and former New York State Senator Kevin thomas (3rd from left) and Mrs. Nambiar (5th from right)
The awardee for excellence in Medicine, Dr. Joe Verghese is Chair and Distinguished University Professor of Neurology at Stony Brook University. He is the coordinator of the NIH-funded ‘Akkare’ study examining the effects of migration on cognition among Indian Kerala Americans. He was introduced by Joel Thomas, youth forum Treasurer of the Kerala Center, and Dr. Thomas Abraham, Trustee Board Chairman, presented the award.
The awardee for excellence in Nursing Leadership, Dr. Beena S. Peters was the System Chief Nursing Executive at Cook County Health, the third largest public health system in the USA. She is the Co-Founder and serves as the Chief Clinical Officer of HRTLY Inc., a health technology company advancing equitable access to high-quality care through technology-enabled solutions. Dr. Peters was introduced by Dr. Marilyn George, Award Committee Member and Dr. Madu Bhaskaran, Board Chairman, presented the award.
The awardee for excellence in Applied Science, Dr. Panicker, is an authority on C-factor (cover and management) research on horticultural crops and an internationally renowned agricultural scientist, is a tenured professor of Plant and Soil Sciences and director of the USDA Conservation Research Center, at Alcorn State University, Mississippi. He was introduced by Joharath Kutty, a past awardee, and Dr. Unni Moopan, Trustee Board member, presented the award.
The awardee for excellence in Performing Arts, T. S. Nandakumar is a recipient of the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award from the President of India and numerous other honors. T. S. N. also known as Bombay Nandakumar is an internationally acclaimed mridangam maestro, educator, composer, author, and cultural ambassador of Indian Classical Music, with a distinguished career spanning several decades. He is the founder of TSN’s Percussive Arts Centre (TSNPAC) in New Jersey, USA, which has trained thousands of students. He was introduced by Shynu Geevargheese, member of the Kerala Center, and Abraham Philip, Executive Director, presented the award.
The awardee for excellence in community service, Sibi David, has dedicated himself to public service, arts of Kerala, culture, humanitarian initiatives and community leadership for four decades. He started ‘Art 4 Life’ to support underprivileged children in Kerala and created several platforms for artists and young talents. He was introduced by Samuel Joseph, youth forum secretary of the Kerala Center, and Jose Kadapuaram, Board member, presented the award.
The awardee for excellence in education, Prince Johnson is a 27-year veteran educator who won the 2026 New York State Teacher of the Year award as well as the 2025 Gilder Lehrman New York History Teacher of the Year award. He was introduced by Dr. Anna George, past awardee of the Kerala Center, and Baby Uralil, Kerala Center Board member and former FOMAA president, presented the award.
The awardee for excellence in Pravasi Malayalam Literature, Jose Cheripuram is a naturally talented poet and humorist. He is active in literary groups such as Sarggavedi and LANA. He is the author of two books, and continues to write poetry, humor and articles in print and online media. He was introduced by Amey Cheripuram, youth forum member of the Kerala Center, and J. Mathews, member of Kerala Center and respected leader of the Malayalee community, presented the award.
The 2025 awardee for excellence in Govt. and public service, Inspector Shibu Madhu, who could not attend the ceremony last year, was also recognized this year. He is the first Indian American to achieve the rank of Inspector in the history of NYPD. He was introduced by Joel Thomas, youth forum Treasurer of Kerala Center, and Appen Menon, Esq., Kerala Center Trustee, presented the award.
Photo: Kerala Center Executive Committee, Board and Trustees with the 2026 awardees
The souvenir released on the occasion of this award ceremony was released by Committee Chair Mary Philip in the presence of other committee members Jose Kadappuram and Mathew Vazhappally by giving a copy to Sarggavedi Coordinator Manohar Thomas.
Several community organization leaders including leaders of organizations like Pioneer Club, Sarggavedi, GOPIO, FOKANA, FOMAA, etc. attended the ceremony.
Kerala Center office bearers Abraham Thomas, John Paul, Mathew Vazhappally and Jason Geevarghese coordinated the programs. Daisy Stephen Palliparambil, who was the MC of the ceremony, made this program a heart-touching experience. The beautiful songs of Tahseen, Bincy and Prem Krishnan and the dances by the artists of the art group coordinated by Dr. Madhu Pillai added color to the award ceremony. Secretary Raju Thomas thanked the dignitaries, audience, sponsors and everyone who worked to make the event a success. The curtain fell on the 2026 awards ceremony with a sumptuous dinner catered by the Cotillion Restaurant.
