Kerala Association Greater Noida Celebrates Onam 2026 with a Powerful Message of Unity, Equality & Social Harmony

Greater Noida News (30 August 2026): Kerala Association Greater Noida celebrated Onam 2026 with cultural fervour, community participation and a strong message of equality, harmony and social responsibility at Agrasen Bhawan, Swarn Nagari, Greater Noida, on Sunday. The celebrations brought together members of the Malayali community, distinguished guests, students and residents to showcase Kerala’s rich cultural traditions while reflecting on the wider social values associated with Onam.

The programme commenced at 10:30 AM with a colourful procession led by Maveli from the Kamala Gate of Jaypee Greens. The procession was accompanied by traditional Chenda Melam, presented by Dr. Kunjiraman Marar, a Kendra Sangeet Natak Akademi Award winner, along with the team of Delhi Panchavadyam Trust. The vibrant procession set the tone for a day dedicated to Kerala’s culture, traditions and community spirit.

Kerala Association Greater Noida President T. G. Vijaya Kumar said in his welcome address that, the association is expanding its community-focused initiatives through Malayalam language education, healthcare support, welfare awareness and social networking. Our Malayalam language class currently has 24 children studying together, and this is something we take immense pride in, he said, while thanking the teachers and institutions supporting the programme. Highlighting the association’s healthcare initiative, he said, We have signed MoUs with major hospitals in Greater Noida, and our members will receive a digital ID card to access benefits similar to those available to corporate institutions.

He also said the association has helped around 60 per cent of the local Malayali community access NORKA’s expatriate pension and medical insurance schemes and will continue awareness drives. We are also working on initiatives for women, children and talented individuals, while creating a database of Keralites in Greater Noida to provide support during emergencies and other situations, Vijaya Kumar said, expressing gratitude to members and well-wishers for their continued support.

Addressing the gathering, P. K. Sreemathy, former Minister for Health and Family Welfare, Government of Kerala, highlighted the importance of women recognising their own strength and playing a decisive role in society. She said, “A woman is not merely a force responsible for managing family responsibilities; she is an important pillar in building society and the nation. When a woman recognises her inner strength, has the courage to make her own decisions and moves forward with self-respect, her achievement becomes an inspiration for her family and society.”

Sreemathy further emphasised that genuine women’s empowerment goes beyond financial independence and includes education, confidence, security, dignity, freedom of choice and equal opportunities. She stressed that women should support one another rather than compete with each other, adding that collective encouragement among women can accelerate positive social change.

The central public meeting featured an insightful address by Prof. Venu Rajamony, IFS (Retd.), former Ambassador and former Press Secretary to the President of India, who connected the traditional story of King Mahabali with the need to build a fairer society in the present day.

Rajamony said, “Onam is not merely an exercise in nostalgia. It should be a lesson for each one of us that we must work hard to bring that kind of society back to today’s world.” He explained that the traditional memory of Mahabali’s reign represents a society based on equality, honesty, justice, happiness and the absence of exploitation.

Speaking about the relevance of these values in contemporary India, Rajamony pointed to growing economic inequality and said that development should benefit every section of society. Referring to Greater Noida’s modern infrastructure and rapid expansion, he observed that impressive residential complexes and infrastructure must ultimately translate into a better quality of life for everyone, rather than benefiting only the affluent.

He said, “Wonderful infrastructure can be seen and great residential complexes have come up, but our country is still a society where the rich are getting richer and the poor are getting poorer. Inequality is growing in our society.”

Rajamony also drew attention to environmental concerns, including air pollution, and underlined the need for India’s development to be accompanied by greater cleanliness, sustainability and social well-being. He said that although the country had made considerable progress, much more needed to be done to improve the lives of people across economic and social sections.

Another important theme of his address was Kerala’s tradition of pluralism and communal harmony. He said the state’s culture provides an example of how people belonging to different faiths can live together while respecting each other’s traditions and festivals.

Rajamony said, “The message of Kerala is the message of pluralism. We must be able to take this message from Kerala to the world—that we are all children of the same God, that we must live together in harmony and support and help one another.”

He encouraged the Malayali community in Greater Noida to make Onam celebrations increasingly inclusive by inviting people from different regions, communities and countries. According to him, such initiatives can help introduce Kerala’s cultural values and spirit of coexistence to a much wider audience.

Dr. Nivedita P. Haran, IAS (Retd.), former Additional Chief Secretary, Government of Kerala, appreciated the Kerala Association Greater Noida for maintaining its annual tradition and creating a platform where the community could celebrate while also reflecting on valuable social and administrative practices.

She said, “I am really happy about the work being done by the Association. I believe that we, as students and citizens, can do much more to make our country a better place.” She recalled her experience of Kerala and said there were several positive practices that could be learned from the state and adapted in different parts of the country.

Haran added that community gatherings provide an opportunity for students and citizens from different parts of India to exchange ideas and share best practices. She expressed hope that the association would continue the initiative for many years and contribute meaningfully to society.

Gajanan Mali, Founder of Ten News Network, also addressed the gathering and expressed his appreciation for the Kerala community and its longstanding cultural initiatives. He said, I have been attending this programme for nearly 20 years, and I am grateful to the Kerala community for continuing to preserve its culture and traditions while bringing people together.

Shrilaxmi V. S., IAS, Additional Chief Executive Officer, Greater Noida Development Authority, praised the association for creating a meaningful platform for community engagement and cultural exchange. She spoke about migration not simply as a physical movement from one place to another, but as a process through which people carry their experiences, values, knowledge and traditions with them.

She said, “Migration is not merely about changing a location; it is also about carrying our experiences, values, knowledge and ideas to a new place. Community support plays a very important role in helping people, particularly children and young people, adjust, grow and succeed.”

Shrilaxmi highlighted Kerala’s strong traditions of education, social development and community support, noting that people who move to cities such as Delhi NCR often encounter competition, pressure and numerous challenges. She said programmes like the Onam celebration help create a sense of belonging and provide an environment where people can exchange experiences and ideas.

The celebration also recognised academic excellence, with the felicitation of meritorious students from Classes 10 and 12. The initiative reflected the association’s emphasis on education and encouraged young members of the community to pursue academic excellence while remaining connected with their cultural roots.

The traditional Onasadya, one of the major highlights of the celebration, was served at noon. The elaborate Kerala feast was served on banana leaves, allowing participants to experience one of the most cherished culinary traditions associated with Onam.

The cultural segment featured a wide range of traditional and contemporary performances. Thiruvathirakali, Bharatanatyam, Mohiniyattam and other vibrant dance performances were presented by Nadana Tirtha Temple of Dance, Greater Noida. Malayalam Class students also presented a variety of cultural programmes, adding a strong community and educational dimension to the celebrations.

The event was organised under the leadership of T. G. Vijaya Kumar, President, Kerala Association Greater Noida, and Nujum Mayyanad, Secretary, with the participation and support of members of the association. The programme brought together the Malayali community and residents of Greater Noida in an atmosphere of celebration, cultural pride and social interaction.

The Onam 2026 celebration ultimately went beyond a traditional festival gathering, emerging as a platform for preserving Kerala’s cultural identity while promoting education, women’s empowerment, community support, environmental responsibility, equality and pluralism. Through the message of Mahabali and the participation of people from diverse backgrounds, the Kerala Association Greater Noida reaffirmed the enduring spirit of “Unity, Culture and Tradition” and the broader idea of creating a more inclusive and harmonious society.

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