In an interview with Lakshmi Chhaya, WMF Global Cabinet President Dr Retnakumar laid out his priorities
World Malayalee Federation (WMF) is the largest pravasi network for the Malayalee community in the world. A non-commercial and non-profit organization, WMF was formed on September 21, 2016. It’s headquarters, the first unit, is in Vienna, Austria, and it has its presence in 162 countries.
The organization which is gaining momentum with its activities and engagements just had its elections. Dr Prince Palikunnel is the global chairman with a board of directors comprising SS Sunil, Noushad Aluva, Seena Shanavas and Donney George.
WMF’s Global Cabinet is the Federation’s supreme body, which is headed by Dr J Retnakumar, who was earlier the WMF President of Oman National Council and during 2020/2021 he served as the Global Coordinator of WMF.
Dr J Retnakumar is a senior insurance expert who had been the country head of the Oman operations of a multinational insurance company of India and has over three decades of insurance expertise. He is currently the CEO of an insurance risk consultancy and braking company in Oman. He is also the founder and Chairman of BHAVALAYA Art and Culture Foundation and Lok Kerala Sabah member of the Government of Kerala from the Sultanate of Oman. He is the chairman of the technical committee on Life and Medical Insurance of the Oman Insurance Association registered under the Government of Oman.
In an interview with Pravasi Samawad Dr Retnakumar laid out his priorities for the WMF Global Cabinet.
“The top priority would be strengthening the Organization structure at various levels — regional, national and state and district levels — and more participation of members in various countries,” said Dr Retnakumar.
It has an interesting plan on the agenda is to create a Job Portal for Pravasi Malayalees who lost jobs, especially during the Covid-19 pandemic. Also in the pipeline is a plan to create skilled and non-skilled Pravasi data bank.
“We would like to organise activities on a global level with our Agriculture and Environment global forum organizing WMF Green Clubs in schools and colleges. For this in mind, we will be using Youth Forum, Women’s Forum and Education & Training Forum. WMF Green clubs will be organising various awareness programmes highlighting the need for Agriculture and campaigns for the protection of the environment,” he pointed out.
An integral part of WMF is global charity projects. On the agenda is also the strengthening Malayalam language among the second and younger generation of the Pravasi Malayalees.
“We would also like to take up the genuine demands of Pravasi Malayalees across the globe with the Central and State governments. We would like to see the continuation of the Global Help Desk, which will connect people of various requirements with support and assistance,” Dr Retnakumar said.
World Malayalee Federation (WMF) is a global, voluntary, non-profit organization with a presence in six continents and 162 countries and is the largest Pravasi Malayalee network in the world. The registered headquarters of WMF is Vienna, Austria.
The organization, which is five-year-old now, was founded and registered under the leadership of Dr Prince Pallikunnel, Global Chairman in Vienna, on September 21, 2016.
“As per WMF bylaws, we focus on providing voluntary service to Malayalees, Indians in general and the people of the countries we serve. We are engaged in many humanitarian & charity activities, art, sports & culture, women empowerment, youth empowerment, education & training, career guidance, and environmental protection activities. Our Global Help Desk supported needy people during the Covid crisis. The group extended unique service and received appreciation from the community members.”.
Elaborating the activities further, he said, “We had been very active in support & charity activities when Kerala faced natural calamities and suffered during the Covid-19 pandemic…recently we have successfully implemented ‘WMF-Kairali Koru Kaithangu’ scheme in all the 14 districts of Kerala by distributing Covid protection materials through Kerala Medical Services Corporation Limited and NORKA (Non-Resident Keralite’s Affairs).”
The third biennial general convention was held on January 16 in which Dr J Retnakumar was elected Global President of the Global Cabinet of World Malayalee Federation(WMF). Global Chairman Dr. Prince Pallikunnel presided over the swearing-in ceremony of all the Global cabinet members for 2022, 2023.
Following is the list of WMF Global Cabinet: 2022-2023
Global President: Dr. J. Retnakumar
Global Coordinator: Poulose Theppala
Global Secretary: Harish J Nair
Global Treasurer: Nisar Edathum Meethal
Global Vice Presidents: Rejin Chalappuram, Sreeja Tomy, and Shihab Kottukad
Global Joint Secretaries: Tom Jacob, Manjusha Sreejith, Mathew Cheriankalayil
Global Joint Treasurer: Johnson Thommana
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