World Malayalee Council – A Legacy of Unity, A Vision for Impact

Rooted in Kerala. Rising for the World. This is the spirit that has defined the World Malayalee Council (WMC) for over three decades. As the premier global apex organization representing the vibrant and influential Malayalee diaspora, WMC spans six continents and connects a community of over 41 million people. We are far more than a networking platform—we are the authentic voice, the unifying force, and the global conscience of Malayalees worldwide.

Born from Kerala, Spanning the Globe. Though founded in New Jersey, USA, in 1995, WMC was born from the indomitable spirit, rich culture, and shared dreams of the Malayalee community. Our presence across America, Europe, Africa, the Middle East, India, and Oceania reflects the extraordinary journey of a people who have carried their heritage to every corner of the world while remaining deeply connected to their roots.

One Community. One Voice. One Global Destiny. Born from a vision to connect a dispersed community, WMC has evolved into a dynamic think-tank and policy advocacy forum. As India emerges as a defining force in the 21st century, we are committed to a transformative role—ensuring that the Malayalee community leads the charge in shaping a future-ready, prosperous, and globally influential India. Our destiny is intertwined with our motherland’s rise, and together, we are unstoppable.

Our Origin & Evolution

The World Malayalee Council was founded on July 3, 1995, on the final day of the first World Malayalee Convention in New Jersey, USA. Conceived by a group of visionary leaders, the organization was built on a profound and enduring mission: to connect, engage, and unite Malayalees across the planet, fostering a global community bound by shared identity and purpose.

Though the organization was launched on American soil, its soul was—and always will be—Born from Kerala. It was the diaspora’s longing for connection, their pride in their heritage, and their desire to give back to their motherland that gave WMC its life and purpose.

The journey since has been dynamic and resilient. Following a period of division in 2008, a historic unity drive in 2015 brought the organization back together—stronger, more united, and more determined than ever. This landmark reunification, celebrated in the presence of Kerala’s then Chief Minister and other dignitaries, marked the dawn of a new chapter of solidarity, collaboration, and renewed purpose.

Today, that legacy of resilience and growth has positioned WMC not merely as a cultural and social body, but as a critical force for policy influence, humanitarian action, and economic empowerment on the global stage. Born from Kerala, Spanning the Globe—this is not just our story; it is our strength.

Global Growth & Organizational Structure

WMC’s strength lies in its robust, inclusive, and democratic structure, meticulously designed to represent the global Malayalee community effectively:

• Apex Global Council: The supreme governing body, setting strategic direction and vision.
• Six Regional Councils: Representing major diaspora hubs across America, Europe, Africa, the Middle East, India, and Oceania (including the Far East & Australia).
• Provinces & Local Chapters: The grassroots foundation of the organization, ensuring deep local engagement, community service, and vibrant residential networks across Kerala and beyond.

 

Global Leadership (Elected at the 14th Global Conference, Sharjah, June 2025):

Role Name Location

Chairman Dr. Issac John Pattaniparambil (Dubai)

President Baby Mathew Somatheeram (Travancore)

Secretary General Moosa Koya (Al Kobar)

Treasurer Thomas Chellethe (Dallas)

Vice President (Administration) Dr. Nadakkal Sasi (Travancore)

Vice President (Organisational Development) Charles Paul (Dubai)

Vice Chairmen

Shahul Hameed (Dubai),

CU Mathai, Organisational Development (Dubai)

Sunanda Kumari (Trvancore)

Joseph Killian (Germany)

Abbas Chelat (Sydney)

Secretaries CA Biju (Sharjah), Biju Chacko (New York), Sam Joseph (Travancore)

Joint Secretary C S Vinod

Joint Treasurer M K Ravindran (Salala)

Goodwill Ambassador Johny Kuruvilla (Travancore)

Advisory Board Chairman Varghese Panakkal (Al Ain)

Global Vice Presidents in Charge of Region

Dominic Joseph ( India)

T K Vijayan( Middle East)

Rajanish Babu (America)

Sicily Jacob  (Africa)

Ancy Joy (Europe)

Irfan Malik (Far East & Australia)

The Global Executive Council, chaired by the Chairman, serves as the legislative body and Electoral College, responsible for policy-making and electing officers to steer the organization’s day-to-day affairs.

The Global Cabinet, chaired by the President, serves as the governing body, responsible for the administration and implementation of the policies and projects approved by the Executive Council.

Over the years, WMC has been guided by distinguished leaders, including its first Chairman, Dr. T.N. Seshan IAS, the first President KPP Nambiar, and other eminent figures like Dr. Babu Paul IAS, Dr. George Sudarsan, and Mrs. Lekha Srenivasan,  Ambassador TP Sreenivasan IFS, J. Alexander IAS, and Christy Fernandez IAS.

Our Strategic Platforms

To efficiently execute its diverse mission, WMC operates through 15 specialized platforms, comprising the Women’s Council, the Youth Council, and 13 focused forums:

Environment Forum

NRK/NRI & OCI Issues Forum

Youth Excellence & Skill Development Forum

Media & Communications Forum

Corporate, Business & Commerce Networking Forum

Arts & Culture Forum

Education, Science & Technology Forum

Blue Economy Forum

Community & Social Development Forum

Healthcare Forum

Writers Forum

Legal Forum

Pravasi Returnees Welfare & Property Protection Forum

Our Contributions & Enduring Impact

Connect. Empower. Transform. These three words are not just a tagline—they are the blueprint of our action. For nearly three decades, WMC has been a catalyst for positive change, championing the interests of the global Malayalee community while making a lasting impact in Kerala and across the world. Guided by its core principles of service, unity, and empowerment, WMC has transformed countless lives through advocacy, humanitarian action, education, culture, and community development.

Policy Advocacy & Diaspora Representation

WMC has consistently served as a strong and credible voice for Non-Resident Keralites (NRKs). The organisation has actively advocated for the enactment of the Pravasi Property Protection Bill with the Government of India and campaigned for the establishment of a dedicated NRI Commission in Kerala to safeguard the rights and welfare of overseas Keralites. WMC’s influential participation in all three sessions of the Loka Kerala Sabha—with delegations of 24–27 members each time—reflects its pivotal role in shaping diaspora policies and strengthening engagement between Kerala and its global community.

Humanitarian Service & Disaster Relief

Compassion in action has always been at the heart of WMC’s mission. The organisation played a significant role in coordinating relief and rehabilitation efforts during the devastating Kerala floods and extended critical support to stranded NRKs during the COVID-19 pandemic through evacuation assistance, emergency medical care, oxygen distribution, food relief, and free repatriation initiatives. WMC has also implemented several healthcare projects, including cancer care initiatives in partnership with Calicut Medical College and other leading institutions.

Youth & Women Empowerment

Recognising that the future belongs to an empowered generation, WMC has launched several future-readiness initiatives, including An Introduction to Future Technologies, digital literacy programmes, and youth and women upskilling and reskilling initiatives. Its nationwide Say No to Drugs campaign has evolved into a powerful movement promoting awareness, prevention, and community participation in the fight against substance abuse.

Health, Wellness & Better Living

WMC actively promotes holistic well-being through month-long Yoga programmes, health awareness campaigns, financial literacy workshops, and seminars on financial discipline and independence. These initiatives encourage healthier lifestyles and greater economic resilience within the community.

Preserving Culture & Identity

WMC remains deeply committed to preserving Kerala’s rich cultural heritage while nurturing Malayalee identity across generations. Signature initiatives such as ONE FEST—the flagship programme of its Youth Wing—the iconic 28-hour continuous Onam celebrations, literary gatherings, arts festivals, and numerous cultural programmes have become vibrant platforms celebrating Kerala’s traditions, language, and values worldwide.

Community Development & Social Innovation

The organisation has pioneered several impactful community initiatives, including the Olympics Academy to nurture young sporting talent, the Global Green Village Project to provide homes for underprivileged families, and Kaitharikkoru Kaithangu, a unique programme supporting Kerala’s traditional handloom weavers and preserving indigenous livelihoods.

Strategic Partnerships for Greater Impact

WMC has strengthened its outreach through strategic collaborations with government agencies, educational institutions, and humanitarian organisations. Its accreditation with NORKA, Kerala’s premier agency for Non-Resident Keralite welfare, has enhanced its ability to address diaspora concerns effectively. Partnerships with organisations such as the Mata Amritanandamayi Devi Foundation have further expanded its environmental and social initiatives, including the Vishu Thaineettam tree-planting campaign.

A Legacy of Service

Across continents and communities, WMC has remained steadfast in its commitment to humanitarian service, social responsibility, and community empowerment. Whether responding to natural disasters, advancing diaspora rights, nurturing youth leadership, promoting healthcare, preserving culture, or building sustainable communities, WMC continues to demonstrate that meaningful service has the power to transform lives and inspire generations.

 

Our Mission, Vision & Objectives

We are guided by a clear and ambitious vision for the future of the Malayalee community.

Vision: To create a dynamic and powerful link between the Malayalee Diaspora and the motherland, enhancing and empowering the Social Capital of the community while inculcating the core values of Diversity, Excellence, and Global Citizenship.

Mission: To work closely with people of Kerala origin across the globe, promoting their integration, exchange, cooperation, empowerment, and recognition. We achieve this through innovative programs, projects, and institutions in the fields of economic, cultural, and social enhancement, channeling the immense social capital of the community for a productive and sustainable future.

Our Core Objectives:

• Connect & Network: Unite visionaries, innovators, and professionals to share knowledge and groom future business leaders.
• Empower & Scale: Provide comprehensive guidance on best practices, explore new ideas and opportunities, and facilitate international trade to help businesses “grow local, go global.”
• Collaborate & Thrive: Foster a thriving ecosystem that encourages collaboration, innovation, and success for all members.
• Inspire & Guide: Build a robust platform for B2B connections, where members can share their journeys and inspire the aspiring.
• Equip & Innovate: Provide a comprehensive platform that leverages emerging technologies and best practices to enable business scalability.
• Develop & Grow: Organize workshops, courses, and team-building exercises to facilitate continuous growth and development.
• Bridge & Ignite: Build a strong bridge between business ventures and the Malayalee community to ignite dreams and secure a prosperous future for the next generation.

The Way Forward: A Future-Ready WMC

One Community. One Voice. One Global Destiny. The Malayalee community is one of the most adventurous and successful diaspora groups globally, known for its entrepreneurial spirit, hard work, and unwavering patriotism. WMC is proud to be the representative body of this remarkable legacy. As the 21st century unfolds as the “Century of India,” we believe our community is destined to play a more proactive role in the nation’s rise.

Connect. Empower. Transform. This is our commitment as we embrace a future-ready transformation. Our journey ahead involves expanding our role as a global think-tank and policy advocacy forum—not just for the Malayalee community, but for the broader NRI population. We are committed to facilitating India’s journey to reclaim its pre-colonial status as a global economic powerhouse by channeling the talent, financial clout, and global connections of the Malayalee diaspora.

Rooted in Kerala. Rising for the World. Born from Kerala, Spanning the Globe. Our goal is to be the definitive partner for the global Malayalee, ensuring that our cultural identity is not only preserved but serves as a source of resilience and strength as we co-exist and interact with diverse cultures worldwide.

The World Malayalee Council has come a long way since 1995, and our most impactful chapter is yet to be written. We invite all Malayalees and friends of Kerala to join us on this exciting journey to build a brighter, more prosperous, and united future.

Join the World Malayalee Council.

Rooted in Kerala. Rising for the World.

Born from Kerala, Spanning the Globe.

One Community. One Voice. One Global Destiny.

Connect. Empower. Transform.

Be a part of the legacy. Shape the future.