Pat McFadden MP presented VK Krishna Menon Award to to Benni Joseph Mavelil in a function held in London.Welcoming the specially invited guests including His Excellency, Dr. Virander Paul (Acting Indian High Commissioner), Rt. Hon. Pat McFadden MP (Shadow Minister for Europe) and Lord Navnit Dholakia (Deputy Leader of the Liberal Democrats in the House of Lords) at the Palace of Westminster, Dr. Cyriac Maprayil, Executive Director of the VK Krishna Menon Institute stated'Krishna Menon took on himself the Herculean task of educating the British people about India and the need to grant independence to India without further delay. He liaised, interacted, and lobbied the British parliamentarians of all persuasions to support Indian independence from Britain.'One can understand Indians in India marching or protesting against British rule. But organising the same in London, singlehandedly, fighting the lion in its own den is unheard of and unthinkable; but this is what Krishna Menon did. The Institute wishes to focus more importantly on how Krishna Menon was a role model for an Indian immigrant living outside India. Krishna Menon was dedicated and selfless. He identified with the people around him and their needs, without forgetting his roots. He was proud to be Indian in England but wanted to be a part of the community where he lived. He fought for equality, social and economic justice.
The Institute sees no difference between the ideas and ideals that went into the making of VK Krishna Menon and Benni Joseph Mavelil. Therefore, the Institute has decided to confer the award to Benni Joseph Mavelil, President of UK Knanaya Catholic Community and Philanthropist. Benni Joseph Mavelil was born in India and has been living and working in the UK for over a decade. His outstanding professional and altruistic achievements, contributions and services to the community as well as the wider multicultural society prompted the Institute to recognise his exemplary approach to community empowerment.
Speaking on receipt of the VKKM Award, Benni Joseph Mavelil said:'I thank Dr. Maprayil and the Institute for choosing me for the award. VKKM was a statesman who symbolised all that is good in Indian values, diplomacy, leadership and service to the society at large'. He added: 'People of Indian origin in Europe as a whole is growing and changing. The VKKM Institute is the type of NGO which plays its part in building lasting links between the Diaspora and India'.
His Excellency Dr. Virander Paul recalled Krishna Menon's contribution to the UK as well as India's freedom movement. He congratulated Dr. Maprayil for his work in sustaining Krishna Menon's legacy. Lord Dholakia spoke about Krishna Menon and his work in London and as India's Defence Minister and India's UN representative. He referred to his historic long speech on Kashmir.Rt. Hon. Pat McFadden, who hosted the function, spoke about the significant contribution that is being made by his constituents of Indian origin to reinforce the partnership between the Midlands and India. He touched on some of his projects that are synergising such partnership efforts.One of the Institute's objectives is to present awards to outstanding Indian patriots who have served in the Diaspora and distinguished themselves in various fields including science, literature, business, politics, diplomacy, philanthropy etc.
