Malayalee Association of Maryland (MAM) CONDUCTED its 5th ?GLOBAL AWARD SHOW? on November 7, 2009.

The ?MAM 2009 GLOBAL ARTS & CULTURAL FESTIVAL? inagurated by Shahi Prabhakaran-the FOKANA GENERAL Secretary. A lot of children & adults participated in the various competitions. The Chairperson of the event was the widely known and famous Kala Shahi.

The ?AWARD MELA? started with the Chief Guest Dr. M.V. Pillai lighting the lamp along with the winners of GLOBAL AWARD present. MAM Vice-Chairman Joseph Pothen made the welcome speech. Chairman Thomas Antony made the ?STATE OF THE ASSOCIATION? address. He pointed out that MAM has done more than any other associations to promote Sahithyam. He said while even national associations like FOKANA and FOMAA limit their competitions to the AMERICAS MAM?s AWARD WINNERS were chosen from the WORLD-WIDE participants. Looking at the 2009 GLOBAL AWARD WINNERS, Mr. Antony said five of them are from Kerala, one each from Dubai and Scotland and the rest from USA. The Chairman said that another milestone of the 2009 GLOBAL AWARDS was the addition of ?GLOBAL BEST JOURNALIST? AWARD. There also nomination came from around the GLOBE. The winner was a man excelling in Print & Broadcast Journalism-Dr. Krishna Kishore of Asianet and Mathrubhumi.

The Chairman pointed the GLOBAL CHARACTER of MAM by pointing out the MAM MEMBERSHIP from different countries. He exhorted them to join this elite club of MAM. Before concluding the Chairman announced that since there are a good number of AWARD winners in Kerala & other countries, a KERALA VERSION of the ?AWARD MELA? will take place some time in January 2010 in Cochin. He invited all the winners & others to Cochin.

Next Chairman introduced the Chief Guest Dr. M.V. Pillai. He said MAM is very lucky to have such a widely known personality as the Chief Guest. Dr. Pillai-in his Presidential address-congratulated MAM on its ?GLOBAL LEVEL PROMOTION? of Sahithyam and now adding Journalism. He agreed with MAM Chairman Mr. Antony that even National Federations can not match what MAM is doing to promote Sahithyam & Journalism. He congratulated the ?2009 MAM GLOBAL AWARD? winners.

Following winners were present to receive the award:

1) Tom Mathews of New Jersey for Second Prize in NOVEL(JWALA).
2) Reeni Mabalam of Connecticut for Second Prize in Short Story (OUTSOURCE).
3) Samcy Kodumon of New York for another Second Prize in Short Story (JAYIKKANAYI ORU JIVITHAM).
4) On behalf of P.G Rama Devi of Cochin for Second Prize in Poem ?NIRAMALA? her son accepted the AWARD.
5) MAM Chairman?s Special AWARD for Poem WAS presented to the 10 year old Kavya Santosh Kavanakudy.

The following AWARD WINNERS were unable to come & receive their AWARDS in person:

1) Salim Sayed of Doha-First Prize in Novel ?DAYVAM IDAPEDUNNA SAMAYAM.
2) Sasi Muttathara of Trivandrum-Third Prize in Novel ?THENILUM MADHURAM?.
3) George Arangassery of Scotland (UK)-First Prize in Short Story ?VRITHIYAVATTHA MURI?.
4) John Samuel of Trivandrum-Third Prize in Short Story ?AKALKKARUSA?.
5) Krishnan Kutty of Thodupuzha-First Prize in Poem ?VAZHIKAL CHODICCHU CHODICCHU?.
6) P.G Rama Devi of Cochin-Second Prize in Poem ?NIRAMALA? 7) Chunakkara Ramankutty of Cochin-Third Prize in Poem ?ITHU BHARATHAM?.
8) Joseph Nambimadam of Texas-Jury AWARD for Poem ?MAMBAZHA SMRUTHI?.

They will be presented the AWARDS at the KERALA VERSION OF THE ?MAM 2009 GLOBAL AWARD SHOW? in January 2010.

A ?SPECIAL FILM AWARD? was announced for Kumari Prarthana Mohan-a fast rising star in ?FILM DIRECTING and WRITING?. She was unable to receive the AWARD in person. Prarthana is the Nice of Ambassador T.P. Sreenivasn. She is also the grant daughter of the very famous South Indian Music Director Mr. M. S. Sreenivasan. Then came the AWARD PRESENTATION for the ?FIRST MAM GLOBAL JOURNALIST AWARD? Dr Krishna Kishore of Asianet & Mathrubhumi received the AWARD in person. Besides plaques and Excellence Certificated a CASH AWARD of Rs. 25,000 was also presented to him. Cash award was sponsored by Mr. George Joseph of METLIFE.

Then Kala Shahi-the Chairperson of the day-long Arts, Cultural & Scholastic Competitions-announced the winners of the GACF and Dr. Pillai presented the awards to them.

The Panel Members of the MAM 2009 GLOBAL AWARDS-Panel Chairman Mr. Abdul Punayurkulam, members Dr. Nandakumar Chanayil and Shajan Anithottam-were then honored with plaques & Certificates.

There was intermittent cultural programs arranged by MAM SPECIAL EVENTS MANAGER Kala Shahi.

Writers such as Sreelal Vasudevan, Saroja Varghese and P.G Sheela also addressed the Crowd.

Shahi Prabhakaran-MAM Director of Operations-did the Vote-of Thanks.

MAM leaders Santosh Kavanakudy and Rajan Mathai,web administrator Prasad Nair, Arts & Cultural competition committee members Bindu Rajeev and Elsamma Pothen well known singer Megha Jacob actively participated in the ALL Day MELA.

The ?2009 MAM GLOBAL AWARD SHOW (US Version)? was concluded with a GALA AWARD BANQUET.