Nassau County Clerk Maureen O’Connell and other local officials joined members of Nassau County’s Indian community during their Onam Celebration. Indian-American residents came together with community leaders at all levels of government to celebrate “Onam”. Onam is the biggest and most important festival of the state of Kerala in India. According to popular legend, the festival is celebrated to welcome King Mahabali, whose spirit is said to visit Kerala at the time of Onam. The rich cultural heritage of Kerala comes out in its best form and spirit during the ten day long festival. Among the honorees who were presented with citations at this year’s Onam Celebration were Roy C. Thomas, Dr. Varughese Chacko, Venu Gopal, John Paul, Thomas Mathew, Jojy Thomas, Dr. Thomas P. Mathew and Ginsmon Zacharia.
Pictured with members and honorees of the Indian American Malayalee Association of Long Island are Nassau County Clerk Maureen O’Connell, Town of North Hempstead Supervisor Judi Bosworth, New York State Senator Jack Martins and New York State Assemblywoman Michelle Schimmel