Crown Prince and the First Deputy Prime Minister Prince Salman bin Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa has offered support to GOPIO

Crown Prince enjoying the Photograph of Chief Minister Mr. Ooommen Chandy (second from right) during  1961 when he handed over the Presidentship  of Balajanasakhyam, the largest childrens’  organisation to Mr. Sunny Kulathakal.
External Affairs  Minister  Sheikh Khalifa (right) & Mr. & Mrs. Sunny Kulathakal  also can be seen.

 

Crown Prince and the First Deputy Prime Minister Prince Salman bin Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa has offered support to  GOPIO (Global Organisation of People of  Indian Origin) in conducting its Biennial Convention in Bahrain by the end of this year.

He made the offer when GOPO  Executive Vice President Mr. Sunny Kulathakal met him during his recent visit to Cochin . Prince Salman promised necessary support and cooperation  of the Kingdom to make the event a grand success  It will be the first time  that  a GOPIO convention is being held in any of the Gulf Countries during its existence  for the past 25 years with Chapter presence in sixty countries.

Prince Salman lauded the work of  Mr. & Mrs. Sunny Kulathakal in producing the Gulf Who’s Who  Directory for the past 35 years . Especially he appreciated the  interviews  of nearly 200 top dignitaries from different  areas of activities regarding the VISION 2030   of Bahrain in 2012 edition of the Directory. He urged Mr. Sunny Kulathakal,the Managing Director of Sunliz Publications, to update the Directory  with views from more people so that the whole world will know that Bahrain is doing its best to help its citizens  with a  VISION  upto 2030.

External Affairs Minister  H.E. Sheikh Khalid Al Khalifa  told the Chief Minister of Kerala

Mr. Ooommen Chandy  said that Mr. Sunny’s  ‘lovely book’ serves the  Kingdom of Bahrain very well for the past  several years.Prince Salman took special interest  in seeing a photograph of Chief Minister  Oommen Chandy  during 1961 handing over the Presidentship  of All Kerala Balajana Sakhyam the largest Childrens’  Organisation  in Asia to Mr. Sunny  Kulathakal.

 

gopio kochi

Hi all.

Forwarding the list of people who have consented to join Gopio or attended the earlier meetings 

The list is incomplete.Persons who are interested or given their consent to join may please check the list and correct/ add the details and return to me

You can recommend your friends who are willing to join this organisation. Their names, contact no and mail Id can be filled up in the 2nd sheet of the attachment.

The Entry fee for GOPIO Kochi is Rs. 1000 and the Annual subscription is Rs.1000- April to March.Request to  pay the entry fee of Rs.1000/- t ( those already paid, pl ignore) on 26 th December, when we are meeting again.

Next Meeting is proposed on 26th Dec 2012 at ERNAKULAM YMCA hall at 7 pm.Request all to make it convenient to attend the meeting.

Regards

Thomas Abraham
GOPIO.Kochi Chapter
Global organisation of the people of Indian Origin

book

GOPIO Kochi Chapter

Dear All,

The next meeting of the GOPIO Kochi Chapter will be  held at 7.00 p.m on Tuesday , 

the 23rd Oct 2012 at The Presidency Hotel, Ernakulam North.

The main agenda will be the registration of Kochi Chapter and the GOPIO  Kochi Convention 2013 on 5th & 6th Jan 2013.

Kindly make it convenient to attend the meeting followed by dinner.

With best wishes & regards

Sunny Kulathakal

Exec.Vice President-GOPIO International

Chairman, GOPIO Kochi Convention 2013

(M)+44-7812539464cf

gopio convention

gopio london chapter

Under the patronage of Mr. Veerendra Sharma M.P. the London Chapter of GOPIO will be inaugurated on 16^th Oct. 2012 in the London Parliament.This was decided by a meeting by Mr. Sunny Kulathakal, Executive Vice President of GOPIO with Mr.Sharma yesterday at Southal. Mr.Sharma will be attending the GOPIO Cochin Convention on 6^th Jan 2013. Those who wish to attend the GOPIO  London Chapter inauguration  on 16^th Oct 16^th in London Parliament may contact Mr.Kulathakal on (M) +44-78-12539464

Gopio Kochi Chapter

 

 

Global Organization of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO) Cochin Chapter was initiated at a dinner meeting held atPresidency Hotel at 7.30 p.m. on Monday, 13th August, 2012. Mr. Sunny Kulathakal, Executive Vice President ofGOPIO presided over the meeting. The following former NRIs and prominent people attended:-
1) Jose Thomas
2) Kurian Abraham
3) M. K. Harikumar
4) Babu Varghese
5) Jose P. L.
6) Jose Pudukaden
7) K. V. Prakash
8) Alex S. M.
9) Paul Vadassery
10) T. P. M. Ibrahim Khan
11) Nibu Mathew
12) James Kurian
13) Mohan Thomas
14) V. B. Cherian
15) T. B. Venugopal

Dr. Philip Augustine, Mr. Sivadasa Menon and Eng. Roy Abraham expressed their inability to attend but extend allsupport for GOPIO activities.
Mr.Kulathakal explained the salient features and purpose of GOPIO. He mentioned that Cochin Chapter willtake the lead in conducting GOPIO convention 2013 on 5th and 6th January, 2013 in conjuction with the PravasiMeeting.Mr. Ibrahim Khan was elected as the convener of Cochin GOPIO convention 2013. Mr. Sivadasa Menon’s
name was suggested as the President of GOPIO Cochin Chapter. Since he was engaged in other activities, Mr. Menonwanted to work as a member to start with. Lakeshore Hospital M. D. Dr. Philip Augustin has agreed to be the President
and Dharam Publication Editor Mr. Kurian Abraham as Vice President. Former Chamber of Commerce President, Mr.Jose Thomas was elected as the General Secretary, Advocate K. V. Prakash as Joint Secretary and CEO of Presidency
Hotel Mr. Nibu Mathew as Treasurer.Advocate Babu Varghese, Advocate James Kurian, CEO of HiFx IT and Media Services Mr. MohanThomas, former NRI and MD of East Fort Medical Centre Mr. Jose Puthukadan, Senior Special Councel (Govt. of
India) Mr. T. P. M. Ibrahim Khan and Director of Blossoms Training Institute Mr. P. L. Jose will be in the Executive
Committee.

Jose Thomas,
General Secretary.

K. V. Prakash,
Jt. Secretary.

It was an emotional journey back in time for the proud inheritor of a
legacy of grit, sweat and tears. Hon.Kamla Persad Bissessar, Prime
Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, who is on a 10-day official visit to
India, chose to spend a day tracing her roots. After an eventful trip
to her ancestral Buxar village in Bihar she paid a historic visit to
Kolkata Memorial symbolizing the emotional and cultural bond among
the descendants of millions of indentured labourers who had left the
Indian shores from 1834-1920. The memorial was erected through the
initiative of Global Organization of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO)
at the spot from where the multitude of labourers set sail to far off
lands including Trinidad.


On January 11, the banks of Hooghly river reverberated with echoes
from the past as the first Indian-origin Prime Minister of Trinidad
and Tobago paid glowing tributes to her ancestors’ courage to brave
adversities to ensure a better life for their progeny. Draped in a red
sari, she walked around the memorial offering flowers in full media
blaze. She also planted a sapling at the harbor. She remarked, ‘’I
wish my grandfather and father were here holding my hand,’’ while
struggling to hold back tears.


Earlier the visiting Prime Minister attended a dinner hosted in her
honour by GOPIO. Addressing the gathering she lauded the efforts of
GOPIO in bringing the global Indian diaspora closer. She shared the
global perception that PIOs have become highly successful in their
chosen fields as business men or professionals. She said the people of
Indian Origin who constitute 42 per cent of the population of her
country have managed to keep alive the values, traditions and
festivals of their forefathers. While thanking the GOPIO for the
gracious hospitality, she assured the organization of her government’s
help in all its efforts towards a better world and a better Trinidad
and Tobago.


Mr.Sunny Kulathakal,Executive Vice President, GOPIO, in his address
explained the historical and cultural significance of Kolkata
Memorial. ‘’The Kolkata Memorial is of meaningful significance with



shared sentiments among millions of descendants of those who left
India as indentured labourers from 1834-1920. The memorial has been
well received by the global Indian diaspora. Cogratulating the Prime
Minister on her being conferred the prestigious Pravasi Bharatiya
Samman award, he termed her visit to the memorial as a great honour to
the memory of indentured labourers.

Mr.Malay Mishra, India’s High Commissioner to Trinidad and Tobago,
urged GOPIO to broaden its activities in Trinidad to make it more
effective. Mr.Chanderdatt Singh, High Commissioner of Trinidad and
Tobago in India, West Bengal minister Mr.Sudarshan Ghosh, Mr.P.Roy,
Director, Bengal Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and the Minister
for Foreign Affairs, Trinidad and Tobago, Dr.Rambachan, spoke. While
Mr.Aravind Sood welcomed the gathering Mr.Mridul Pathak, GOPIO
co-ordinator, proposed a vote of thanks.
(EOM)

interview

read

the interview with MR. SUNNY KULATHAKAL at http://www.malayalasameeksha.com/2012/01/blog-post_7123.html

A Man on a Quest

Interview with Sunny Kulathakal

“Seeing people

get the right

information

is my dream.”

Sunny Kulathakal,

Managing Editor,

SUNLIZ Publications

Sunny Kulathakal is a man on a mission, a quest that can be traced back to his maiden

publication of Gulf Who's Who Directory that featured profiles and portraits of leading decision

makers of all nationalities settled in the Middle East since 1978. A chance tour of the Gulf region

on an assignment about Indians settled in the region changed his world. The journalist turned

publisher recollects: “I was amazed to find a lot of Indians holding key management positions in

the Gulf defying the notion that most of the Indians who land up there can only take up menial

occupations.” Since then, he has been publishing a 600 odd page directory on Bahrain covering

rules and regulations on how to start business ventures and providing an assessment of the

present economic situation in the kingdom.

The directory published by SUNLIZ Publications provides details of the Economic Development Board. Ministries, embassies, Civil Service Bureau, Shura Council, members of parliament, Chamber of Commerce find prominent space.

The latest edition of the Gulf Who's Who Directory 2011- 2012 focuses on Bahrain's Economic

Vision 2030, with a third of its pages dedicated to it. It features 160 interviews and a full listing

of airlines, travel agencies, hotels, restaurants, manufacturers, jewellers, associations and

schools, in addition to details of media and advertising agencies. Garden City College occupies

pride of place in the publication. The articulate and debonair persona was at Garden City College

recently where he presented the latest edition of the book to His Excellency Dr Joseph VG,

Honorary Consul of the Republic of Maldives in Maldives in Bangalore and Chairman Garden

City Group of Institutions.

In a freewheeling interview with budding journalists at GCC,

the SUNLIZ Publications Managing Editor shares some insights on the directory and explains how the book has grown from a simple business listing to a useful, information-packed guidebook for both residents and non residents of Bahrain. Excerpts from the chat:

Ms. Ankita Ray: How difficult is it to bring out a publication like ‘Who’s who’ single

handedly?

Mr. Sunny Kulathakal: I had started working for the first edition of ‘Gulf Who’s Who’ in

1977. I wanted to dispel the notion that Indians in the Gulf were only there to take up menial

jobs. Though initially I had faced problems in regards to acceptance of the book, it gradually

gained worldwide popularity. This book is considered a bible by those who are into business

and other occupations all around the globe. Since I handle the entire publication alone, I do face

problems like providing the place of choice for the personalities I feature in the book. However,

I have managed to handle the same maintaining cordial relations with all of them.

Networking isanother very important thing that I have always kept in mind because until one is in good terms with others, the business or exchange of information cannot be done successfully.

Ms. Nameeta Renchi: Bringing out “Gulf Who is Who directory” is not an easy task, what are

the major problems that you faced in compiling the book?

Mr. Sunny Kulathakal: The designing of the directory cover itself was a trifle difficult. The

cover has the pictures of people introduced inside the book. Every one of them wanted their

pictures to be printed on the front page of the directory which was practically impossible. So this

book is an exercise on human relationships. Maintaining good human relationship is the most

satisfying but a difficult task to achieve.

Ms. Ankita Ray: What is the criterion for choosing the profiles featured in your book?

Mr. Sunny Kulathakal: Gulf’s Who’s Who is a directory that provides information that one

would require for engaging into business with Bahrain in all its sectors. Therefore, I see to it

that all the necessary and required information that one would look forward to for proposing

a business deal in Bahrain is readily available in my book. In the latest edition, I have also

included details about Bahrain’s vision 2030 where an overall perspective on development of

the country is featured. To be precise, I choose managerial business proprietors, ministers,

diplomats and personalities who have made a mark or excelled in their respective fields to be

featured in my book.

Ms. Ankita Ray: What is your take on media and its changing role in today’s world?

Mr. Sunny Kulathakal: I have always believed that media and judiciary are the two most

important and obligatory part of every society. With the change of times, we have seen how

the media has altered its role as well, which has sometimes proved to be disastrous. But still

the significant job of bringing awareness and disseminating information to the masses that the

media does, cannot be neglected. Therefore, media always needs to be highlighted. I personally

believe that there are no limits to journalism when practiced for the good. Another thing that I

would like to mention is that India needs a lot of good newspapers that would cover local news

which are most of the time do not fine space in the pages of the main stream newspapers. Thus,

encouragement to community newspapers in my opinion is the need of the hour.

Ms. Nameeta: Gulf is not only a work place for many Keralites but their second home. But in

many Malayalam programmes like Pravaasi Malayalam depict adverse situations that a person

should go through in the Gulf. What is the reality?

Mr. Sunny Kulathakal: Well, the reality is that people before migrating to Middle East believe

that residing in Gulf is a life time fortune. They will take up jobs with low pay or fly out there

to make money only to lose the little they had. The Indian embassy has in the past helped such

people to return home. I have a simple advice. Be careful with the visa you opt for and adhere to

the regulations in place.

Ms. Greeshma: It is not so often that we find couples working together successfully in their pursuits. What is that comfort zone you share with your wife, Elizabeth in the work place?

Mr. Sunny Kulathakal: She has stood with me as a pillar of support and a shade of comfort

behind all my successes. She also enjoys the kind of work I do and the benefits that come with it.

We often get to travel across the world to market the book.

Ms. Greeshma: Gulf Asian Magazine that you were associated with as the editor has not been published for quite some time now. Do you have any plans to revive it?

Mr. Sunny Kulathakal: Indeed it is my wish to revive the publication. It did not happen earlier

because of the economic crisis in Bahrain. But now that we are out of the woods, things are

looking up. When I bring out a magazine or any other publication, I would not want to do so

just for the sake of it. Rather it should serve the people. So when the time comes I will do that

accordingly.

Ms. Nameeta Renchi: Students after completing their higher secondary education in Bahrain or any other parts of Middle East, come down to India to pursue their higher studies. It is the same in the case with NRI’s. Is it because of the quality of the education provided here?

Mr. Sunny Kulathakal: Yes, India has good universities and colleges compared to the Middle

East and greater learning opportunities. Many students from Bahrain are studying here as well. I have been working on ways to help deserving students from the Gulf come to study in Bangalore and other Indian cities.

Ms. Ankita Ray: How different is life in Bahrain when compared to India?

Mr. Sunny Kulathakal: I have lived a non resident life but my mind has always been rooted

in my home soil. I am contact with my homeland at all times. Bangalore remains my favourite

city for its allure and charm. I am in love with its attractions, the greenery, climate, educational

institutions, and just about everything the city boasts of. Recently, the Prime Minister of Bahrain

asked me the best place to visit in India. I recommended Bangalore without any second thoughts.

It is India’s naturally air conditioned city.

Ms. Ankita Ray: What is your message to the students of Garden City College?

Mr. Sunny Kulathakal: Firstly, I would like to salute His Excellency Dr Joseph VG, Honorary

Consul of the Republic of Maldives in Maldives in Bangalore and Chairman Garden City Group

of Institutions for his astute leadership and guidance. The way he has gone about building ‘this

educational haven’ shows his devotion and the undivided attention he has been providing the

college for the welfare and all round development of the students. I would be happy if the

students utilize the facilities provided to them and be the agents of publicity for the college.

Graduates from this college have the potential to compete with the best from any part of the

world.

BOX ITEM along with his picture....

ABOUT SUNNY:

A native of Marammon, Kerala Sunny Kulathakal completed his journalistic training

in Malayala Manorama and later became a dynamic activist in YMCA. Widely

travelled in India and abroad, he served as Development Director of Bangalore United

Theological College for eight years. Settled in Bahrain at present, he is running an

own publication named SUNLIZ Publications along with his wife SK Elizabeth. Sunny

as he is affectionately known has made commendable marks in the fields of public

relations, media consultancy and advertising. He is the Managing Editor of Gulf’s,

Who’s Who Directory and Gulf Asian Magazine. Aside, he served as feature editor of

the Anglo-Arab Magazine, Nazreth Al Khaleej and worked as correspondent in different

newspapers being published from Dubai. His books, Story of a Martyr, The World of

Drugs and The World of Prostitutes have been well received. The Kulathakal’s are

blessed with three children, all of them settled in the US.

160 interviews on VISION 2030 of the Kingdom of Bahrain.

Shaikh Salman Bin Isa Al Khalifa CEO of Bahrain International Circuit applauded the latest edition of the Gulf Who's Who Directory 2011- 2012 with 160 interviews on VISION 2030 of the Kingdom of Bahrain.
After receiving the Directory from the Managing Editor, Mr.Sunny Kulathakal , Shaikh Salman said that the timing of this publication has a global importance as the whole world will have a glimpse of what the Govt
of Bahrain has envisaged for its citizens. The BIC has agreed to support distribution of the Directory globally.
Mr. Kulathakal presented a memento of a snake boat to Shaikh Salman who evinced keen interest in seeing the famous annual snake boat race in Kerala.

justice V R Krishna Iyer writes

Commendable


The propriety of publishing as a book, the different articles written by Sunny Kulathakkal at various occasions is quite commendable. The book is full of the recollections of how he had overcome a lot of tough experiences and negative situations through his hard and sincere efforts after his migration to Gulf through a little bit of political clout after his initial stint as a journalist in India. It is commendable that he found time to care for his family matters while struggling to build up his future. One of his distinctive contributions was the Gulf directory which he compiled for the benefit of Gulf Malayalees while he was in the Middle East.

I consider that this series written in beautiful and stylish language without a tinge of exaggeration on several subjects of interest to the ordinary people are highly informative. There is no doubt that this book will give an interesting and informative reading to the Malayalees in Gulf and especially their relatives back home. I would also like to particularly point out that the Keralites and Non resident Malayalees are equally obliged to him for this venture.

Malayalee mind strengthened by sand dunes

sunny kulathakal
profile by aravind

Sunny Kulathakkal has of course to say a lot about the distance from Maramon to the seat of success in Bahrain. Most of them are stories of his hurdles and setbacks. The biography of a journalist who changed crises into glistening pearls of success! Apart from being an excellent organizer, journalist, sincere social worker, humanist, Sunny Kulathakkal is hard work personified.


There are many who have achieved success in life by utilising the opportunities wisely. But, only those who are brilliant and talented can turn adversities into steps of success. That is what Sunny Kulathakkal is. The story of Sunny is that of rising to the position of an editor in Gulf from running a newspaper distribution firm in Bangalore. That too of a renowned publication in Gulf!

Sunny’s assets were his hard work and sincerity. Sunny didn’t waver even when purity of his intentions were questioned. Instead he tried to understand people better, cast the net by rightly reading the sea and got hold of an empire. “The Gulf Who is Who Directory- today that name is Sunny’s own.

Now at his 60, Sunny has no complaint against anyone. The reason for his influence in Karnataka politics is his Journalistic stint. His close relationship with leading political personalities like former Maharashtra Governor P C Alexander, Former Union Minister late A C George, Meghalaya Governor M M Jacob and Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy provided his enough opportunities to build friendships with many a key figure in Karnataka politics. What proved to be a break in his life was his coming to Bangalore after post graduation. For eight years he was the Development Director of the United Theological College (UTC) of Bangalore.

It was his Bangalore life which has opened up the doors to Gulf. Sunny who started as a distribution agent and later the correspondent of Malayala Manorama later became the correspondent of the Illustrated Weekly. Reaching Gulf to write a series about the problems of Gulf Malayalees, Sunny succeeded in hoisting the victory flag in his professional career. It was in 1977 that sunny reached Gulf. The mission was to study the life of Malayalees to write a feature. In those days several Indian publications had come out with Sunny’s stories about Gulf Malayalees who reached heights as well as those who had to sacrifice their life mid way through. It was his thinking of how to make use the information he had collected without returning to India that led to the publication of the “Gulf Who is Who Directory”. It was in 1978, the first edition came out. He is genuinely satisfied and proud of the fact that it has turned out to be an authentic reference book in Gulf.

It was through Malayala Manorama’s Balajana Sakhyam that Sunny made his debut into public life and journalism. While studying in S B College, Chenganacherry, he managed to get an opportunity for journalistic tranining through corresponding with Malayala Manorama Chief Editor K M Mathew. It was his five months’ training in Malayala Manorama that helped him to become an excellent freelancer.

Born to a priest of the Orthodox Church, it was at the age of eight sunny had become a member of the Balajana Sakhyam. For years he has served as the central committee member of the organisation. This paved the way for him to become a brilliant organizer. He was elected as the president of the Sakhyam succeeding Oommen Chandy who later became the Kerala Chief Minister. Manorama used to pay TA and DA when he used to come to Kottayam for work related to the Sakhyam. Later many used to stay in lodges outside and claim more money from Manorama. But Sunny used to spend his time in the daily’s editorial and library and return to Maramon in the newspaper van of Manorama at 3 0 clock in the morning. Palai K M Mathew who was the then representative of Sankarachettan had always been informed about the TA he was claiming this way.

From childhood itself Sunny had a special quality to change anybody whom he meets as a friend. This has helped him in several crucial moments. Malayala Manorama’s photographer John was a great help to him in several occasions. It was John who introduced Sunny to Mannathu Padmanabhan and his wife Thottakkattu Madhaviamma while they had come to attend a conference in Maramon. Instantly Sunny requested Madhaviamma to give an autograph. “I wish all the best for my son Sunny” she wrote. He then turned to Mannam to write in the next page. He refused saying that his wife had already given the autograph. But he came down following Sunny’s insistence and wrote his best wishes.
It was Sunny’s habit to collect the signature and message of prominent persons he happened to meet. Two of them written by senior journalists of Manorama-Varghese Kalathil, editor of Manorama Weekly and Babu Chenganoor-were something special. The former wrote “Do not give the key of your heart to anyone” and on the other side of the page was the latter’s advice “Give the key of your heart to only one”. And it so happened that finally he gave the key to Elizabeth, an employee of State Bank of India.


He fondly recollects that it was Elizabeth who stood as a pillar of support and shade of comfort behind all his success. Elizabeth at present is the Director of the Bahrain based Sunlis Publications.

When looking back Sunny has so much to be proud of. Mainly, he could give the best education for his children. Son Biju, an aeronautical engineer is running his own computer establishment in Chicago. The second son Binu and his wife Ranjini are doctors. Both of them are doing their post graduation in World renowned John Hopkin’s University in Baltimore. Youngest daughter Bindu is working in “World Education”, a Non Governmental Organisation based in Boston. A financial assistance programme is now undergoing under her leadership for the poor children of Raichur District in Karnataka.

It was while he was undergoing training in Ernakulam YMCA after his studies in 1966 that Sunny got the opportunity for secretarial training of YMCA at Bangalore. Since journalism was his dream he used to regularly send news reports and features to Malayala Manorama and used to write feature series in Mathrubhumi Weekly. Once, while visiting the Mathrubhumi office in Kozhikode to hand over a feature series, he also dropped into the Manorama office during which he was asked to submit an application for the post of a newspaper agent for the daily in Bangalore. Thus for this youth who aspired to become a journalist got an opportunity to learn a lot about the field of news distribution. But what attracted him was the permission given to file news reports and articles. For sunny journalism was never a breadwinner. On the other hand it was a part of his life. Those days Sunny, his brother and their two friends used to wait at Majestic waiting for the newspaper vehicle coming from Kozhikode. Then they rush in their scooters to newspaper stands.

After a short while, copies of Mathrubhumi daily started reach Bangalore in the early hours in a private bus named S K S. The bus owner refused the request to bring also the Manorama news paper because it was such an exclusive contract they had with Mathrubhumi.

But this was brought to the attention of M M Jacob and Union Mnister Henry Austin who came to participate in the AICC session in Bangalore as Kerala representatives of the party. Henry Austin conveyed this issue to Karnataka Transport Minister Asees Sait. It was under the threat of Sait the Bus owner started to bring Manorama too from Kozhikode. It was in the presence of Sunny, the minister talked to the bus owner in his office. The minister threatened to cancel the bus permit if Manorama copies were also not transported. Following this Manorama also started arriving in the morning.


It was in 1968, Sunny got appointment as the official secretary of the Thiruvalla YMCA. Sunny is happy that he could manage to construct an own building for the YMCA within a year. It was after this he got the letter appointing him as the Assistant Director in the Department of Development in the United Theological College in Bangalore. The help of R D Cooper a foreigner who was an all India office bearer of YMCA only had made it possible. Soon he was elevated as Director.

While working with the Ernakulam YMCA in 1966, he had taken initiatives to organize district/state level seminars for college students. A souvenir also was published in this connection. The then office bearers of YMCA might have felt that a new comer was overtaking them. It was when he was undergoing YMCA’s Secretarial training in Bangalore that he got a letter from the secretary of Ernakulam YMCA seeking explanation about the missing from the accounts of a sum of Rs 50 received from a Company in Ernakulam for the souvenir. A copy of the letter was sent to Cooper too. Since it was attempt to tarnish him, Sunny set off to Ernakulam with the permission of Cooper. It was proved that the amount in question was handed over to another person while Sunny was not in the office. Sunny still keeps the letter of apology from the secretary of Ernakulam YMCA.

Sunny had an eight year stint in UTC and had an unceremonious exit. Sunny attributes the same to personal animosity. The first allegation was that he created hurdles for the College principal’s Gulf visit. Following this the Principal Dr J R Chandran served a show cause notice to Sunny. The reason was that he did not attend the Governing Council meeting. The next notice was based on flimsy grounds. The Governing Council’s rejection of Dr Chandran’s request for an extension also was used as a weapon against Sunny. Shortly Sunny’s application for eight months leave was granted by the Governing Council. It was after this the dismissal notice was issued. Those who pulled the strings to get rid of Chandran from the post were making use of Sunny also. They used Sunny to trace the age certificate of Chandran from Thiruvananthapuram secretly. Coming to know of this the Principal influenced the Bangalore City Police Commissioner. Though an attempt was made by the police under the instructions of the Commissioner to block Sunny when he landed in Trivandrum to get the certificate he escaped with the help of Oommen Chandy. In the case filed by Sunny against his dismissal from UTC, the verdict of the Civil, High Court and the Supreme Court was to reinstate him. By that time Sunny had built up his empire in Bangalore and Gulf. He did not need the UTC job or its benefits anymore. But he considers as invaluable the judgment that states that he is not guilty. As a journalist Sunny used to accompany any political leaders who landed in Bangalore. Those who maintained close relationship with him included A C George, M M Thomas, M M Jacob, and Oommen Chandy.
Sunny recalls that A C George was a leader who gave extreme importance to personal relationships. Whenever he was in Bangalore Sunny used to be with him throughout.

Since his Balajana Sakhyam days Sunny had a personal relationship with P C Alexander This helped him a .lot in his life. Alexander used to rely on Sunny several times to get information relating Karnataka.

Sunny had the opportunity to closely watch the practical hurdles to implement the decision taken by Prime Minsiter Rajiv Gandhi to remove Veerendra Patil from Karnataka Chief Ministership. The proposal for P C Alexander’s intervention in the matter was Sunny’s. This was conveyed to Moopanar through Oscar Fernandes. Thus the party leaders could get out of the entanglement after having talks with Rajiv Gandhi at the latter’s house along with Moopanar.


Sunny was also a small star in the backstage of the drama enacted by Veerappa Moily to become the Karnataka Chief Minister. Veerappa Moily had used Sunny’s closeness with Alexander to his benefit. Sunny could arrange meetings between Alexander and Moily several times. Sunny was with them till the stage when Alexander gave an assurance on the lines of “may you been seen in a different position next time”.


It was Sunny who went to Mumbai with the congratulatory message of Moily when Alexander was appointed as Maharashtra Governor. But when Moily turned against former Chief Secretary J Alexander, a Malayalee, Sunny was in the forefront fighting against the move. The article written by Sunny in Kalakaumudi in 1994 against the step motherly attitude being adopted by Moily towards the people of other states proved to be an excellent example of daring journalism. (The correspondences between Sunny and Moily on this issue were also noteworthy). Exposed in the article was Moily’s growth from nothingness to a millionaire, the gap between his preaching and practice and his thanklessness.


What made Sunny to be out of the good books of Moily was the former’s move to organize Malayalees and other communities against the denial of justice to Alexander. For years Sunny had been a frontline fighter of all the struggles for the cause of the Malayalee community in Bangalore.

Sunny also was in the forefront of the prolonged agitations organised on the issue of the missing of two Malayalee girls-Lilly and Lissy- in Bangalore. Those days he was pillion rider on the scooter of Fr Mani Gayles, the then Christ college principal and later the Mananthawadi Bishop for several of his trips to submit representations on the issue. He could manage to bring this issue to the attention of the then Karnataka Chief Minister Mr Devaraj Urs and later Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, through A C George and Oommen Chandy. Sunny’s name is quite familiar to the early Malayalee community of Bangalore.

As a freelance journalist he could undoubtedly draw the attention of the authorities to many pressing issues of the Malayalee community through his features in many a publication.


The feature titled “The World of Drugs” by Sunny serialized in Mathrubhumi those days was highly appreaciated. It was NBS which distributed the same as a book. The series titled “The World of Prostitutes” was probe into the World’s oldest profession. It was published by NBS. It was Vidhyarthi Mithram which published another serial titled “The Story of a Martyr”


Sunny also was the local guardian of many who have landed in Bangalore for higher studies and other purposes. Sunny says that crises and hurdles had turned only to be blessings to him. It was with an excellent idea that Sunny who went to Gulf to write a serial on the problems of the Malayalee Community came back. This he implemented successfully.


Tens of thousands from Kerala and other Indian states are working in top position in various companies in Gulf. It was a time when there were no means for them to know each other. The idea of a Gulf Directory dawned while thinking about a solution for this issue. Sunny also had a feeling that such a venture would make it known to the world that

Malayalees are not that inferior.
After coming back from Gulf, he had detailed discussions with D C Kizhakemuri about bringing out such a directory. The initial thinking was to bring out the same in Malayalam. Then it was decided to publish the same in English since it was felt that then it would benefit more people. The first edition came out in 1978. It contained the details of the prominent Indians in Gulf. It was at that time the idea of launching an English magazine from Gulf sprang up. In 1983, “Gulf Asian Magazine” came with sunny as the editor. The Magazine which was uniquely different from many other contemporary magazines turned out to be an instant hit. However its publication had to be discontinued following the government decision to ban English Publications as solution to increase the circulation of Arabic publications.

His return to Bangalore in 1984 helped him to provide better education for his children. According to Sunny he was reeling under severe financial difficulties during the educational period of the children. Understanding the difficulties at home the children also took care to minimize the expenses and reached higher positions.

According to laws in vogue in Karnataka at that time if a student has to get admission to Medical College under merit quota he or she had to be resident of the state for at least 15 years. Since he had come back in 1984 this stipulation could be met. He returned again to Gulf only after the education of the children was over. This paved the way for bringing out the second edition of the “Gulf Who is Who directory”. The second edition which was published after a gap of 23 years today is an authentic reference guide on the business/industrial establishments and prominent personalities.
Sunny who first reached Gulf on the invitation of a friend, could realize the existing limitations of personal relationships. The idea of Directory was a small attempt to help overcome this limitation. But with the dawn of the days of globalization, the relevance of such kind of a publication has increased. Personal acquaintances, the savings from his journalistic career, when processed in the workshop of the directory, it resulted in the formulation of one of the best reference book.

This book which presents prominent personalities at governmental level and major businessmen/industrialists and companies with photos also contain details like their phone numbers, E mail, and postal address.

This is one of the ideal contributions a person could give to the business world. A portion of the income from this publication has been set part for scholarship for the students from Gulf coming for higher studies in Bangalore.


Sunny who is currently in the workshop of bringing out a Global Indian Directory has also plans to revive his Gulf Asia Magazine. Last year Sunny was selected for the best social worker award of the Global Organisation of People of Indian Origin. It was from Prime Minsiter I K Gujral, he received the award in Delhi.
The success secret of Sunny who gives extreme importance to human relationship is his friendships. He says that even those who had worked against him also used to come to

Gulf and Bangalore seeking his help and hospitality. What makes Sunny distinct as a person is his good will to extend a helping hand to even such persons.

Though there are many Malayalees who have mined Gold in Gulf, Sunny Kulathakkal is a different Non Resident Malayalee. He also has plans to bring out separate directories containing the listings of Malayalees in different gulf countries. In next November work on Dubai Malayalee Directory is scheduled to commence.

The culture of education

Yohannan Metropolitan has said that the control of education should be vested with educational experts and representatives of education be consulted when drastic changes are attempted in the educational policy. He has made these remarks during an interview with him in Bangalore just before his return to Kerala after the last two months rest. Excerpts from the interview:

sunny kulathakal


As you were also a teacher, what are your comments about the educational system in Kerala?
It is very clear that the educational policy of Kerala is not at all helpful for good of the students or the mental and ideological development of the upcoming generation. The representative character of those who comprise the senate or syndicate constituted as per law is a witness to this fact. Earlier there was over-representation for college principals. The number of public representatives was meager. Now things have turned upside down.


Another thing is the appointment of college teachers. In high schools, only those who have the required training are being appointed. But no such training is required in the case of college teachers. One can teach in a college immediately after post graduation. In fact the first two years should be a training period. The principal and department are the right persons to judge whether the new appointee is well suited for teaching and interacting with the students. In the present state of affairs, it is the vice chancellor who has the ultimate say in that. Is just a single year of teaching make one eligible or earn one the right to be confirmed as a teacher? Just think whether this will help raise the standard of education. At the same time it has to be admitted that many principals and college councils have not done enough justice to the junior lecturers working in their institutions.


Apart from this, it is evident from many experiences that it was by throwing to the wind the norm that the control of education should be the responsibility of educational experts that the University Act is being implemented.


Hope your grace will not mind expressing your personal opinion about the incidents occurred in Mahatma Gandhi College?


I have read about the confrontation between the principal and the University in the newspapers. It was an unnecessary incursion into the power and authority of the principal. It is the principal who should take decision on the attendance of students and their disciplinary behaviour. But the present attitude of the University is that it is the responsibility of the Vice-Chancellor. This will only make things difficult for running a college for the good of the students. There might be principals who behave highhandedly and in selfish manner. The authorities have the power to take penal action against them. But the present day trend of hurting the dignity of the teacher and destroying the responsibility and discipline of the students is wrong.

Strike


What is your comment on the recent teachers strike in Kerala?
I should say that the teachers strike was very shameful. It can be said that it was caused by the education department of the state. The representatives of the teachers organizations should have been consulted and their view points been given due weight when drastic changes were being brought about in high school education.


Making changes in educational policy according to the whims and fancies of the concerned minister has become a common practice these days in Kerala. The standard of education has also come down accordingly. For raising the standard of education what needed is to provide the required facilities and necessary encouragement to the teachers to make use of the prescribed periods and teaching days properly and sincerely instead of raising the working days and teaching periods. What needed is to fix the working hours of teachers as six hours without increasing the working days from the existing 200 days. Teachers also should agree to spare at least three periods in a week for co curricular activities. I sincerely expect the newly constituted problem solving committee will take into account this humble suggestion.

Is there anything wrong in teachers resorting to strike for genuine causes?


I am of the strong view that it is wrong on the part of teachers to go on strike for whatever be the cause. During the strike of the college teachers some of them had stated that this opinion of the metropolitan was an outdated coin which had lost its value. The same will be the criticism of some school teachers. But I am not at all ashamed to introduce in the market the same coin to draw the attention of teachers.


Strike is a weapon of the workers. A factory worker will not find any difficulty in resuming his normal work once he gets reinstated after a few months of strike. He is dealing with inanimate objects only. This is not the case of teachers. They are interacting with students who have thinking power and who expect discipline and guidance from the teachers. Once a teacher loses his credibility with the students, he loses a part of his job.


Don’t you think that the teachers strike could have been avoided if the government had made some advance efforts?


The government which takes the stand that it will open its eyes only if the employees resort to strike is equally responsible for strikes. I had tried to probe into state of mind of the students who block buses and cars in the name of strike. That is the one and only language which the government understands, they reply. I wonder whether the striking method of Japanese workers, about which there was an editorial in Malayala Manorama will ever become a model for our teachers. But many of the strikes could be avoided if the government takes a proper decision before things getting worse.

Give Respect for Work

interview with sunny kulathakal



[Born in 1944. Native of Marammon. After completing journalistic training in Malayala Manorama, became a dynamic activist in YMCA. Travelled widely in India and abroad, he had served as Development Director of Bangalore U T College for eight years. Settled in Bahrain at present, he is running an own publication house named Sunlis Publications. He has made commendable marks in the fields of public relations, media consultancy and advertising. He is Managing Editor of Gulf “Who’s Who directory and Gulf Asian Magazine. He had served as feature editor of the Anglo-Arab Magazine named “Nazreth Al Khaleej” and worked as correspondent in different newspapers being published from Dubai. His books: “Story of a martyr”, “The world of Drugs” and “The World of prostitutes.
Wife S K Elizabeth is Project Manager, “Gulf Who’s Who”directory.]



Shailesh Thrikkalathur

What is your notion about labour?

You should be ready to do any work. False ego is not good at all. The important thing is our capability and sincerity. What is important is how we perform.
In Kerala, there is a tradition of farmers dating back to ancient times. Malayalees who go abroad will not mind farming jobs even in the worst of the conditions. They will not do it Kerala. This attitude has to change.


What is the lesson you have learnt as a non resident Keralite?


In fact I lived a non resident life with my mind rooted in my homesoil. I had never remained without contact with my native land for a long time. I have never lived in air conditioned atmosphere only. There are people who imposed a particular diet and culture on their children without giving them the freedom of choice. I have seen people who lived a life of luxury here. There is no use in living without coming into terms with the realities. There are people who try to command respect which they never used to get in Gulf when they come home. This is enough to tempt others to migrate to Gulf. I have seen people who build houses worth 1.5 crore and struggle when they lose job. This is nothing but thoughlessless.


What happens when one comes back?


You should realize that you will not get any thing exclusively for yourself. You should understand that others also have a claim for whatever you earn. It we have such a perception of things life will be easy.


Only if you have this kind of an attitude you will be able to behave normally without any head weight when you meet your old friends on coming back.


What about personal friendships?


I forget everything, put myself in others position and do a lot. I always think what it would have been had I been in their position.


I have an experience related to M M Jacob who was the Governor of Meghalaya. He once landed at the Railway station in Bangalore. Congressmen have already reached there to receive him. He asked me how I came. I said that I came in my scooter. He opted to travel on the pillion of my scooter. He also stayed at my home. The same love is still there.


Of the people you got acquainted who gave you the best message?


When A C George visit Bangalore, I used to provide him with a collection of Malayalam Newspapers. Once he came as the Union minister to inaugurate the tiles factory of his sister’s son at a place called Hoondskar. I too went there. When he went back, I bought some chilled water and food from a nearby restaurant and gave to him in the train. When I told him that I have brought food he hugged and kissed me. He said that he would have starved if I had not brought the food. He used to help me a lot without asking. I also remember A M Thomas.


Any memorable incident while staying in a foreign city?


I remember one youth named Lawrence. He started a printing press in Bahrain. A Policeman who was his sponsor tried to take him to police station by framing him in a false case. Coming to know about this I called him to the the Indian Embassy. Got in touch with the police station. Fixed a time for talks with him at the embassy. The youth who arrived at the embassy premises was hijacked to the police station by the policeman who came without uniform. I complained to the embassy. It was due to the intervention of the ambassador, he was released from the police station. I was the one who took initiative for the same.

Please tell something about your world of writing


The feature series I wrote in the Illustrated weekly about the world of drugs in 1978 was discussed a lot. I had come to know that Mrs Gnadhi had made a reference about this article to A C George. I had written that if a job is assured in Dubai, the Malayalees would not mind reaching there by swimming across the sea and they could even bag an Olympics gold medal in swimming. I was the first to write in the media about the Indians in Gulf. I had written it on the request from the then editor, Kushawant Singh.


What about yours in interest in literature?


It was not selective reading that I had. I used to read anything that I could get hold of. I had read the books of E M Kovoor and Parappurathu at a very young age itself. Parapuurathu’s “Aranazhikaneram” was a favourite of mine. I used to read again and again the books of MT and Uroob. I also used to visit Thakazhichettan at his house. I have visited his house with family and taken photos of the visit.


Your trips?




I have visited all the European countries and traveled widely in the US. While meeting more and more people I used to think that I should have known their languages too. Their language is needed for them to understand us. What I am referring here is the situations wherein English is not enough.


What helped me was my adherence to the concept of “World as my home’. The people are the same everywhere and they are different only in their outside appearance.


I had the occasion to acquaint with Edamaruku since my early days of youth. This helped to have a change in my attitudes. My stint as Balajanasakhyam president I had the opportunity to closely mingle with a lot of people. This helped me to develop a world outlook.


How was your entry into the publishing?


It was in the 80s that the English magazine “Gulf Asian” started publication with Dubai as its base. The publication of Gulf Directory in 1978 proved to be of immense help to this venture. I had a somewhat good idea about the Malayalees with my first visit itself to the Gulf. It was through the discussions with D C Kizhakkemuri, I developed the idea of the Gulf Directory. It was at the Oriental Rissing press that the Directory was first printed. KC Varghese was the founder of that press. T K A Nair who is presently the principal secretary of the Prime Minister had extended his help from Punjab for bringing out the Asian Magazine.


Which is the best population in the world?
There is good and bad everywhere. What I liked most in the US was the absence of walls between houses. Since we had grown by seeing houses with compound walls, the absence of the same in the US are certain to amuse us. This indicates mutual confidence and love.


Any new projects?
I have plans to set up a village for the aged. Most probably it will be in Bangalore. India is the best place to take care of the aged persons. The quality of care is the best in India. One also can be assured of quality healthcare in Bangalore.


Tell me about your philosophy of life?




My family has a priestly tradition. My father was the 44th priest in our family. My father never compelled me to become a priest. What he did was to make me more independent. While going through the books authored by Rev Martin Luther King, I was convinced about the impossibility of me becoming a priest. The husbands of both my daughters are not Christians. If Christians only could go to heaven, then my relatives could not be there. I don’t want a heaven where they don’t have a place. Each one thinks that only his religion is great. This thinking should be broadened somewhat more. You should be able to imbibe the virtues of all religion. God is there in everyone and everything. I am always guided by the philosophy that everything is one and the same.



I recall the statement of Dr Kaj Bonda that the religions and religious concepts that we see today were never been there even in the dreams of Jesus. When I wrote this in one of my books, the members of my church disagreed with me. I believe that there is a beam of light in my mind. This very beam of light is leading me through my difficulties. The great thing is that this light will never burn off. In the marriage of my children what I considered important was the mental parity. I allowed this because I have witnessed the marriage between individuals belonging to the same religion ending in a wreck. I have always taken care to point out wrong things whenever I find them.


It is always good to do your job without caring for the reward. Reward will never fail to come through some other way.

GOPIO APPEALS FOR REVIEW

GOPIO APPEALS FOR REVIEW OF UNITED ARAB EMIRATES SENTENCING ON HUMANTARIAN BASIS

The Global Organization of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO International) strenuously objects to the recent judicial sentencing of 17 Indians in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates (UAE) and considers the sentencing as extreme and unusually harsh punishment contrary to Article 5 and Article 7 of the United Nations Human Rights Charter (United Nations “Universal Declaration of Human Rights, December 10, 1948). GOPIO voices its deep concern over the severity of the sentencing which is viewed as contrary to universally accepted norms of any progressive society.

GOPIO International urges the Government of United Arab Emirates to promptly take all necessary actions to remedy this situation for substantial reduction of the sentences imposed on the basis of humanitarian consideration and to facilitate and accommodate all legal efforts by others to seek redress in the courts and appropriate agencies of the United Arab Emirates.

GOPIO International urges the Government of India to continue vigilant efforts and seek all means necessary towards reduced sentencing on behalf of those Indians being punished with this unusually harsh sentencing and to provide confidence and reassurance to their respective families in India.

GOPIO International solicits the assistance and cooperation of the United Nations (UN) and international agencies of Human Rights Watch (HRW) and Amnesty International (AI) to use their respective international positions and offices of influence to be engaged in efforts to seek substantial reduction in the unusually extreme sentencing imposed on the 17 Indians in the United Arab Emirates.

“We view the sentencing imposed on the 17 Indians in United Arab Emirates as extremely harsh and call on the Government of UAE to take all necessary steps to bring about an equitable reduction as soon as possible”, said Lord Diljit Rana, President of GOPIO International.

“Remedial actions by the government of United Arab Emirates would be tremendously helpful to reducing the undue pain and distress of those sentenced and their respective families in India”, stated Inder Singh, Chairman of GOPIO International.

GOPIO Middle East International Coordinator Sunny Kulathakal observes that “it is crucial that the legal appeal process lead to reduced sentencing that would further enhance peaceful co-existence among all ethnic groups in the United Arab Emirates”.

GOPIO International’s Executive Vice President General Ashook Ramsaran requests that “due consideration must be given to the fact that Indians working and living in the United Arab Emirates are generally a peaceful, law abiding ethnic group and have contributed tremendously to the economic development of the UAE”.

GOPIO International fully supports and encourages all efforts for fair and equitable treatment of all citizens, visitors and workers in any country, especially a country with a significant population of people of Indian origin. GOPIO International urges the Government of United Arab Emirates to promptly take all necessary actions to remedy this situation so that the rights of everyone in United Arab Emirates can be guaranteed and protected on an equitable and humanitarian basis. We also urge the people of United Arab Emirates to voice their collective concerns and objections to actions that can adversely affect their entire society.

GOPIO is a non-partisan, non-sectarian global organization with chapters in several countries, actively promoting the interests of people of Indian origin worldwide by monitoring and addressing current critical issues of concern, and by enhancing cooperation and communication between groups of Indians living in various countries.

Reference:

United Nations “Universal Declaration of Human Rights”, December 10, 1948

Article 5. No one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.

Article 7. All are equal before the law and are entitled without any discrimination to equal protection of the law. All are entitled to equal protection against any discrimination in violation of this Declaration and against any incitement to such discrimination.

For more information, please contact Inder Singh, Chairman of GOPIO International at +1-818-708-3885, Email: GOPIO-Intl@sbcglobal.net