This national body is completing two years of existence and is looking forward to elect new national executive members on 10th July 2011. I believe this is an opportunity for all malayalees in UK and interested malayalees elsewhere in the world to comment on the future of this national association.
I do believe and understand there are thousands of malayees looking forward to an effective organisation which has the capacity to address and take up the common social problems of migrant malayalees in UK and elsewhere in the world. Even though there are hundreds of malayalee associations in UK, very few are effectively working, but most of them concentrate their activities to either celebrating few popular occasions or is acting as a forum for their popular personal get together. Developed countries like UK have various governmental agencies working to support these small social groups, for some undisclosed/un-probed reasons these groups doesn’t want to be helped or they are not approaching these agencies. Again another factor, because of the unwanted groupisam within these small associations/committee’s (Kerala’s common name - temple celebration committees) very few development oriented or forward thinking malayalees dare to lead them. There are many cases where few of these courage’s people were forced to withdraw from their active social life and off course I’m sure waiting for the right opportunity.
Any umbrella organisations like UUKMA can always effectively guide these small associations to grow further, UUKMA can act as a bridge to fill gap between these small associations and our host country. And the most important factor for this itself is a Strong UUKMA, and the basic need for an organisation to be strong is the strong leadership. If the leaders, leading an organisation doesn’t have right attitude and approach, the organisation will never initiate measure to achieve the objectives of the organisation as well as the members needs. This is the time and the opportunity for all the UK malayalees to elect able and efficient leaders for this organisation, right time to ensure UUKMA can develop to a professional association to meet all the social needs of UK malayalees.
I’m not much interested to comment on the previous committee’s performance, I leave it to all of you to discuss and debate, but unfortunately there are few uncompleted basic needs like an agreed Constitution, office bearers duties and responsibilities, election procedures, office rules and regulations and a common minimum organisational objectives for any committee during their tenure. If we are unable to address any of these minimum requirements, then I don’t think any organisation or leaders can effectively fulfil their responsibilities. Before going further on these basic details, I would like to draw all your attention to the objectives of the UUKMA, and for the time being I prefer to concise into three short headings with very broad coverage.
(a) UK Malayalee’s developments : UK Malayalee’s have achieved their initial economical objectives, most of them are economically stable both in UK as well as in home country. While gaining on one side, are they losing on their rich cultural heritage. Strong Indian family structures and unity have worldwide appreciation and acknowledgement (with limited exceptions). With the migration to countries with lesser popularity on these values is likely to have long term anti effects, in the long run, likely to lose their own personal identities and reputations. Human being is a social animal, and are in need of a society to live in, our strong village lives are the best example. A strong bond and relationship can only be formed with continuous interaction within the society. As most of the malayalee families taking up Permanent Residency or Citizenship in UK, it’s very important for them to integrate with the existing community/society without losing their own identities, and this can be achieved using these small malayalee festival committee’s. Many other important issues like IELTS, many of the qualified and experienced nurses cannot continue in their profession, some sort of negotiation is urgently needed.
(b) UK Malayalee Association’s Development : Very popular proverb – where ever two or more malayalee’s get together, there is equal number of groups, which may or may not affect the growth of the these personals, I’m less optimistic on this and believe these unwanted groups always act against the developmental of the group/society. But in this democratic world without supporters none can implement new ideas, therefore to a certain level a developmental oriented group is acceptable and again we are not against the wall of barriers. Let’s not divert from our main topic which is how to develop these small associations to effective community associations, an association which is able to provide all societal needs of the members, an association which can act as a bridge between the members and the government, an association which are able to receive all government benefits specifically meant for the community. A responsible and strong UUKMA can do this job, will be able to guide and nurture these small associations to responsible community associations.
(c) Contribution for Kerala’s development : Malayalees are very fortunate to get a timely and appropriate education all along their growing stage, I’m not trying to establish the reasons for this highly celebrated literacy status or want to debate on this success, but would prefer to highlight the achievements of Malayalee Nurses, and appreciate the efforts of those initiated the nursing courses and institutions. Outstanding and praiseworthy effects, along with worldwide employment opportunities they brought in the huge amount of NRI wealth to our God’s Own Country. Several thousands and lacs of families benefited out of this and of course major part of UK migration is based only on this profession. Thus we all are here enjoying unlimited first class facilities along with the people who created all these for their own people, do we have a responsibility towards our own less fortunate people back in Kerala. Are we morally obliged to help them develop their lives along with supporting a developing but under developed nation. We can easily develop many large projects as a national association along with many UK and international agencies. International development agencies like the British Council are looking forward to responsible volunteer organisations, who have direct contacts in developing nations.
Another burning issue is the duration of National Committee, current committee is in the office for last two years and could only convene a general body meeting after 17 months in the office, which was again due to the prompts and resolutions from the strong SWSE regional committee. One can’t understand the rational behind this move to reduce duration to one year, anyway it appears this decision is being reconsidered/re-voted. As a standard practice, duration of any committee should be based on the nature of their responsibility and objectives. Any volunteer association looking forward to develop projects for the benefit of its members need time, enough time to plan, schedule and secure funding for projects. A country like UK , where total machinery, bureaucracy and welfare services runs on appointment systems, how anyone could imagine to organise any national events in the short period. Another simple example is elections, one time national committee election procedures itself will need minimum three months period, to conclude, any duration less than two years cannot guarantee objectives to be met or expected results.
In UK, effective community/voluntary organisations have the potential to achieve and provide all community needs, but unfortunately many of the malayalee association leaders are either haven’t realised this or misunderstood or ignorant of their responsibilities towards the association and its members. Before volunteering to lead or work for the community one should understand and accept the responsibilities. One should personally think of time and own abilities to deliver resutls. At least should have the willingness to utilise the opportunities and learn from others and other similar organisations.
There are plenty of specific areas and sub-areas to cover, but that again an endless list, what’s happening right now is the centre of attraction, UUKMA is here for the last two years and whether it achieved any of the above objectives, if not whether it can achieve or not. Let’s be optimistic this time and think of the initial steps required to achieve at least the basic objective of functioning as an umbrella association to deliver services to the member associations. Reminding ourselves that these members associations have paid for their membership. Whether big or small, objectives are to achieved, for that how each and every one of you can contribute, think as any common malayalee and request your friends to contribute towards this debate.
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