KCWA Website

BOXING DAY PARTY 26th DEC 2011

Shah — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 20:03:24 +0000

Obituary

Shah — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 09:22:42 +0000

Croydon: Mr. Krishnan Damodaran (84) of 33 Sumner Road, Croydon, CR0 3LN, sadly passed away on Tuesday 29 November 2011 at Croydon University Hospital (Mayday). He has been residing in Croydon since 1977 and his wife Suprabha, son Jayaraj and daughter Jessy joined him in 1979. Other family members are his daughter-in-law Manju, son-in-law Sanilkumar and 4 grandsons. He was a well liked member of our community and many of us who had the privilege to spend time with him on occasions greatly appreciated his sense of humor, deep thought and thorough understanding of matters surrounding our community and the wider world. He will be greatly missed.
The funeral will take place on Saturday 03 December 2011 at Croydon Crematorium, Mitcham, CR9 3AT (East Chapel) at 10:25am. Prior to that,
viewing will be held at his residence, 33 Sumner Road, Croydon, from 9 to 10 am.

KCWA pays tribute to Mr. Krishnan Damodaran with deepest sympathy.

Contact:

Jayaraj – 07825 811 562

Mangalan – 07960 080 062

Obituary

Shah — Sat, 26 Nov 2011 22:57:43 +0000

Croydon: Funeral arrangements for Late. Lawrence PEREIRA (49) of 27 Hartley Road, Croydon, CR0 2PJ.

The funeral will be on Wednesday 14th December 2011. Viewing will be at home from 8.30 am and will be leaving for church at 9.30 am.

The Funeral Mass will be at St Mary’s Catholic Church, 70 Wellesley Road, Croydon, CR0 2AR at 10am (church car park available). The Service will be conducted by Fr. John Alexander.

The burial will be at Bandon Hill Cemetery, Plough Lane, Wallington, Surrey, SM6 8JQ at 11:30am. Please join the family for refreshments after the burial at the St Mary’s Catholic Church Hall, 70 Wellesley Road, Croydon, CR0 2AR at 1pm.

Mercy (Ammini) Pereira – Wife.
Robin Pereira – Son.

Francesca Pereira – Daughter

Tel: 020 8664 8853

Paul – 07932 563 388 Mangalan- 07960 080 062

Croydon: Mr. Lawrence Pereira (49) of 27 Hartley Road, West Croydon, CR0 2PJ, sadly passed away on 24th November 2011 whilst on holiday together with his family in Spain and Morocco.

Mr. Lawrence Pereira is a native of Puthenthope, Thiruvananthapuram, who first arrived in the UK together with his mother and siblings in 1980. Lawrence was a well known community member in Croydon.

Mr. Lawrence Pereira is married to Mercy (Ammini) and they have two children, Robin and Francesca.

After receiving Lawrence’s body from Morocco, the Funeral Directors (Rowland Brothers) will undertake all funeral arrangements, the details of which will be announced by the family shortly.

KCWA pays tribute to Lawrence with deepest sympathy.

Contacts:

Paul Pereira – 07932 563 388

Mangalan – 07960 080 062

NOSTALGIC NIGHT 2011

Shah — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 20:30:03 +0000

CROYDON:MELODY STARS UK, presented a Nastalgic night music show at St. Saviours Church, Croydon on 19th November 2011. It was a great night for all the Malayalee music lovers in Croydon. Sreekumar, Sudheesh, Thomas & Surendran entertained everyone gathered with some melodious songs from Malayalam, Tamil, Hindi & Panjabi. Dinner served from ‘The Hut’, 78,Windmill Road, Croydon was well received.

My first day at School – Day of school

Shah — Mon, 10 Oct 2011 08:50:40 +0000

(An Indian Student’s first day in a US college.)

I still remember that day vividly. That was my first day of class for my Masters, Civil Engineering, in the US . On that day I was scared, nervous, excited, anxious and tense, all at the same time. I know I was there to pursue my Masters but the path I needed to take was so very unclear to me. I knew from the day I had registered for the courses that the path I need to take is so different and a difficult one. I as a student in India for my bachelors in civil engineering was used to classes that started at 8:00 AM and got over by 4:00 PM with one hour break for lunch. Here for my Masters I had to take only 9 hours of class in a week and the rest of the time I had for myself.

As I was not used to the directions on the campus, on the day of the first class, I left my apartment early and reached the class 20 minutes before the start of the class. I was the first person to reach the class. I was eagerly waiting for other class mates for the next 2 years to come. To my surprise a middle aged man in his early forties with a back pack on his shoulders and a small cover from McDonalds in one hand and Pepsi in the other walked in and greeted me as if he knew me, took a seat and started eating while reading a book. I got really confused. Only 10 minutes was left for the class to start and here is a middle aged guy walking into the room and eating. “Am I in the correct room” – my mind kept on asking me. I went near this gentle man and asked him if he was there to attend this class and he nodded his head in positive. I went back to my seat.

Just 5 minutes before the start of the class, a guy wearing T-shirt and shorts with a laptop bag came to the class. He took out the laptop, connected it and checked if it is working properly. I was thinking that he may be some helper, like we have in India who came to connect the laptop for the professor. Around that time 10 students came into the class with most of them having a food packet in their hands.

Sharp 12:40 PM and the person whom I thought to be a helper – introduced himself; he was the professor who was going to teach us this course. That was a shocker for me. So many thoughts went through my mind – most important was that I never got up when he came to the class and wished him as we do in India – will he take that as an offence from my part? What is he going to tell those students who took food packets inside the class even after he started the class?

As he was introducing himself another student came to the class. She did not wait to get permission to enter the class rather just walked into the class and took an empty seat. The total strength of the class was twelve by then. The professor was tel ling that a total of thirteen had registered that course and that is a big number for a postgraduate course! What? After sitting in classes of over 50 students, I was feeling like a class of thirteen was too small and the professor was just telling the opposite.

The professor then asked each of us to introduce ourselves. Listening to others I realized one thing – I am the youngest and the least experienced. There was a 62 year old student who just retired from an airline company and joined for this Masters program. There were students from South America, Europe and China . Also I realized another important thing – each one of us were taking different subjects that semester and there is no concept of taking same subjects for the same degree program unlike in India if you are in the same degree program and joined the college in the same year you will be taking the same courses almost till the end of your course work.

All of them had a lot to talk about while introducing them and when my turn came I had hardly anything to say. Moreover I was getting worried that there was no Indian in the class. As I was finishing my introduction, as if God had heard my prayer an Indian student appeared in the class room and asked “Can I come in Sir?” I could understand that the Professor was not happy seeing a student 10 minutes late and also for interrupting the class by asking permission to get into the class.

This Indian guy came and sat near me to my happiness. He also did not have much to talk about himself as he also had no previous work experience and had come directly after finishing his bachelor’s degree in engineering.

After the introductions were over, the professor gave a two page hand out to everyone in the class that had his name, email id and his office phone number to start with. Then it was mentioned “Office Hours”. I had no clue what that was. He told in the class that he had set up “Office Hours” on so and so time on so and so date and asked if any one had any issues with those timings. I had no clue what he was talking about and asked the Indian who was sitting near me. He had blank look on his face too that made me realize that both of us were in the same boat and hearing that for the first time. I did not have the guts to ask the professor what it meant by “office hours” as by the time after listening to the vast work experiences my other classmates had, an inferiority complex had already crept into me.

Now the next shocker – it was written in the hand out “No need to buy a text book”. Professor told in the class that he would be referring to multiple books and peer reviewed journal papers and he will give hand-out where ever necessary. At that time I did not know what this “peer reviewed journal papers” were and to make things worst I heard “peer” as “beer”!

Next in that hand out was the grading policy – coming from a system that has only exams and exams it looked so different. One-fourth of the total marks were for the seven home works we needed to submit, 25% for one mid term, forty percent for the open book conceptual final and 10% for class participation. Both of us could digest the home work part and mid term but open book conceptual final and marks for class participation was new and novel.

Professor explained about the open book conceptual final for this course – one can bring any number of books, notes and even your laptop and there is no time limit. I was thinking – if I can bring my class notes and text books then copy from there, then it should be a very easy exam to write. (Three months down the line when I wrote that open book conceptual exam I realized how wrong I was – it still remains one of the toughest exams I have ever written in my life. Exam started around 5:00 PM and by the time I gave the paper back it was close to 11:00 PM and by the time the entire class finished the exam it was well past mid night. I carried more than 10 books with me and I must admit that I could not get an answer to even a single question from those books. That day I understood the meaning of “conceptual open book exam”).

Just when both of us were digesting the concept of open book exam, here comes another googly. Ten percent of the marks were given based on class participation – more you participate in discussions and ask good questions to the professors the chances are that you get more marks. With the negative vibes that was building around me I told myself “I am going to get zero marks in class participation”.

Now the professor gave another handout. It had five fundamental questions regarding the subject. Professor told in the class that he wants to know where each of us stood in the class so that he can design the course work accordingly. Couple of questions I could not even understand and I could hardly write answers to other questions. I looked at the Indian student sitting near me and he was looking at me. Other students in the class were busy solving the questions and we were looking at each other.

By the time we finished the answers it was 1:55 PM and time to end 75 minutes of shocking moments of my life. Professor and all the students left the room but the other Indian student and I did not feel like leaving the room. Even though we had not met or talked before, last 75 minutes in class made us realize that we had so many things in common and needed to work together if we had to survive. Before I could ask anything, he asked me the question I wanted to ask him “Did we make the right decision to come to the US for Masters” for which I replied with not much optimism “I hope so”. The first day of the class had scared both of us to death.

Looking back now, both of us went to the first day in school a decade ago, without any idea of how the education system in US worked. All we knew was the Indian system of education and the very first day made us realize how different the US system of education was.

Move few years forward, the other Indian guy became my very close friend and he went on to complete Masters and is now working in the US for the last eight years. I did my PhD after completing my Masters. Even now both of us can never forget the first day – a day when we thought we will never be able to get a degree from an US university

KCWA UNITES KERALA STUDENTS IN UK

Shah — Thu, 29 Sep 2011 20:30:07 +0000

Croydon:The student meeting organised by KCWA took place at Archbishop Lanfranc school, Croydon on Sunday 25^th September 2011. Many students and supporters from all over UK attended the meeting to discuss the formation of a united front under the guidance of KCWA, for the welfare of malayalee students and their dependents in the UK.

Before the start of the meeting, a minute’s silence was held for Mrs. LibyShanu and Mrs.Dhanya Bharathan, the two students who passed away recently.

The meeting was opened by Abhilash, a student from Leeds, who welcomed KCWA’s efforts in organising a platform for students to meet together and discuss the problems they are facing in the UK academically, the struggle they are finding to obtain part time employment and the difficulties to gel together with the life style in the UK. Abhilash’s vision is to make a start by addressing these problems and find ways to move forward with the help and guidance from KCWA. He appreciated KCWA‘s ongoing efforts for the welfare and development of the Kerala community which is not limited just for students.

Balu, a student from Croydon discussed about the necessity and importance of a permanent organisation set up to deal with several issues faced by students. Adersh, a student fromLondon expressed his bad experiences in dealing with college management. The promises made by the college before admission, were not fulfilled. He felt that this is the case for a lot of overseas students; he went onto say that the formation of a student welfare organisation supported by KCWA would be of great benefit to students.

V.Mangalan, Welfare officer of KCWA, delivered a speech about the purpose, activities and responsibilities of the proposed students benefiting from the formation of a student welfare organisation. Ashok Kumar, secretary of KCWA, Hashim, Ashraf, Shanu, Praveen, and advocate Navas also addressed the students and took part in the discussion of various aspects of the formation of the student organisation. Many suggestions were made including the appointment of a women’s representative by Sineesh and the constitution of the organisation.

Supreme court of England and Wales Solicitor, Mr.Suresh Unnikrishnan, in his speech spoke about the changes in Immigration rules and common student visa issues. In addition he answered questions asked by the students and confirmed his willingness to support and work with the Student Welfare Association formed by KCWA.

A working committee was then formed to decide about the further actions that have to be taken for the formation of the student welfare organisation. It was decided that another meeting would be conducted within two to three weeks time, to discuss a constitution, organisation name, application form, membership fee etc. People willing to work in this committee or require further information, please contact:

Abhilash: 07438249265, Balu: 07574262363, Hashim: 07854727394, Adersh: 07529689707, Ashok Kumar: 07974349318,

V Mangalan(KCWA Welfare Officer): 07960080062

E-mail: post@kcwa.co.uk, kcwa1975@hotmail.co.uk

Student Welfare Scheme on 25/09/11

Shah — Wed, 21 Sep 2011 08:29:02 +0000

Croydon: KCWA is launching a welfare scheme for hundreds of immigrant students facing difficulties in the UK to provide practical help and advice in times of difficulties.

KCWA is now inviting all members of the Malayalee student community and their supporters to come for the meeting on Sunday 25th September 2011 at 3.30pm at Archbishop Lanfranc School, Croydon, post code: CR9 3AS with a view to form a united front for the welfare of the students.

KCWA has been working in Croydon for the last 36 years and has been taking a lead in the welfare of the Malayalee community and once again come out to the fore to stretch a helping hand to those newly arrived immigrants who are not even members of the association.

For further details please contact Asok Kumar on 07974349318 or Adharsh on 07529689707 or Balu on 07574262363 or Hashim on 07854727394 or Abhilash on 074382492265 or KCWA Welfare officer Mangalan on 07960080062

Kaanippayyoor Brothers in Croydon

Jayaraj — Tue, 20 Sep 2011 18:37:23 +0000

Croydon (19.09.11): The famous ‘VAASTHU’ consultant Mr.Kaanippayyoor Krishnan Namboothirippadu and famous astrologer Mr.Narayanan Namboothirippadu are currently on visit to London and are staying in Croydon. Those who wish to see or consult them please contact Mr.Sreekumar on 07946475779. They’ll be here for a week.

Onasadhya 2011

Jayaraj — Sun, 18 Sep 2011 19:45:12 +0000

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Croydon: KCWA ended its Onam celebrations with a lavish ONASADYA held at Lanfranc School, Croydon. All family members, friends and well wishers who attended, enjoyed traditional tasty Keralan Onam food served on banana leaves. Once again KCWA thanks everyone who supported its ONAM celebrations this year and welcomes all Malayalees to join KCWA and participate a wide range of arts, sports and cultural activities through out the year.

Onam 2011

Jayaraj — Mon, 05 Sep 2011 19:33:51 +0000

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