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It seems it is futile to fight any more. We have to accept the reality. Fokana is split and Fomaa is a fact. Ok. Let us accept things as it is.

There is no harm in having two organizations. (nothing good either!) Let them produce some results by serving both the Keralites in the US and also in Kerala.

Local associations may face immediate problems. Since both organizations are ‘federations’ of local organizations, both need them. When one association joins with one group, some of the members will join with the other. So a split cannot be avoided.

Or is their any way to avoid a split at the local level? Is it bad to have two local organizations?

Since Foma is a reality, the question arises. Whom should the people support? What will happen to local associations?

If the local association officials support one group, naturally there will be a split. Oraganizations like Westchester Malayalee Associations say that they will be united locally. Members can support either Fokana or Foma. Will this stand work for long?

Official Press Release May 20, 2008

Important decisions of the FOKANA Board of Trustee Meeting Held on Sunday May 18, 2008

The meeting of FOKANA Board of Trustees was held on Sunday May 18 at 305 Old Tarrytown Road, White Plains, N Y. The following members attended.

T.S.Chacko, Mathew Kokura, John Isaac, Aney Paul, Thampy Chacko, Paul Karukapillil, Suda Kartha

The meeting started at 2:30 pm with a silent prayer. Board Chairman Mr. T. S. Chacko in his opening remarks welcomed everyone and spoke about the court verdict by the Circuit Court for Montgomery County, Maryland of May 07, 2008. Mr. Chacko mentioned the need to bring all the member organizations and Keralities in North America to FOKANA and all decisions for the meeting should be focusing on it.

The following are the highlights from the meeting.

1. To notify Greater Houston Malaylee Association as follows.

The FOKANA Trustee Board resolved to authorize the current FOKANA officials, President Paul Karukapillil, Secretary Suda Kartha team to give leadership and support to the Greater Houston Malayalee Association to host the FOKANA Convention in Houston and Silver Jubilee Celebration in Philadelphia.

(Copy of Letter below.)

2. All decision including the new membership to FOKANA approved by George Koshy is invalid.

3. General Council Meeting 2008.

To call general council meeting on July 4 2008, and a subsequent general council meeting 90 days after the 2008 convention and meetings to submit the accounts and election of office bearers for 2008 – 2010.

General council Meeting to be held on Friday, July 4^th 2008 at the Valley Forge Convention Center PA.

4. To notify former Trustee Board Chairman (2004-2006) Joy Vachachira and secretary N G Mathew to transfer all FOKANA official documents, bank balance as certified check payable to FOKANA, unused checks, and all official FOKANA documents that received from the past FOKANA Trustee Chairman transferred to Board of Trustee Chairman T.S. Chacko by May 30 2008.

5. Appoint Dr. Parthasarathy Pillai as the FOKANA resident agent in the state of Maryland.

6. To notify all FOKANA member organization to renew the membership.

The meeting ended at 6:30 pm with vote of thanks by Vice Chairman Mathew Kokura.

T. S. Chacko, Chairman Board Of Trustees FOKANA

Copy of letter to MAGH

President, Committee Members & Members May 18, 2008; Greater Houston Malayalee Association, 1415 Packer Lane, Stafford, TX, 77477.

Re: FOKANA Convention In Houston 2008

To President, Committee Members and Members of Greater Houston Malayalee Association,

The FOKANA Board of Trustees meeting held on May 18, 2008 has reviewed the court verdict by the Circuit Court for Montgomery County, Maryland of May 07, 2008. The Board also reviewed the efforts taken by the Greater Houston Malayalee Association for hosting the 2008 convention in Houston. The Board decided to bring the following proposal for your consideration.

In view of the fact that Greater Houston Malaylee Association has made enormous efforts for the 2008 convention to be held in Houston and in accordance with the Court’s verdict, the FOKANA Trustee Board resolved to authorize the current FOKANA officials, President Paul Karukapillil, Secretary Suda Kartha team to give leadership and support to the Greater Houston Malayalee Association to host the FOKANA Convention in Houston and Silver Jubilee Celebration in Philadelphia.

If the Greater Houston Malaylee Association decides to conduct the Convention from July 1-4 2008 as an official FOKANA function, please inform the FOKANA officials your decision to host the convention in Houston as soon as possible. In this context we would like to inform you that the FOKANA National Committee and the Trustee Board wants to give you complete support and assistance in conducting the convention. Please inform us the details of the activities you have undertaken and the dimensions of support and involvement from FOKANA National Committee and The Trustee Board which you would like to have in order to make the Convention a success. We earnestly desire to be with you and work together for the success of the convention and FOKANA. Please let’s have an open discussion and can work together in solving all related problems.

Sincerely Yours,

T S Chacko, Chairman Board Of Trustees FOKANA, 399 Graphic Blvd, New Milford, N J, 07646.

Enclosures: Verdict from the Circuit Court for Montgomery County, Maryland., Civil Case # 288701-V, copy of Letter dated June 09, 2007.

So we have two associations, two conventions. There is no point in crying for unity anymore.

What can the ordinary mallu do now? Not much. But we have to ensure that the conventions are a success. We have seen the hard work of people for the success of the conventions-especaiily the one in Houston. Many people spent much time, energy and money for it.

The leaders may have groups. But ordinary mallus are least worried of the groups. So let us go to the conventions, enjoy the events, interact with the people.

Houston convention is on July 1-4 and Philly convention is on July 4-5. So there is no clash too.

Welcome to FOMAA (Federation of Malayalee Associations of America) and FOKANA.

Both groups may be in shock. The court order is clear.

The people want unity though some leaders prefer quarrels for all the time. Paul Karukappilli and team should show their leadership quality by initiating the process for unity.

Ruling judge: DAVID A. BOYNTON   

Full court order 

In the Circuit Court for Montgomery County, Maryland  Fokana and TS Chacko  Vs 

George Koshy, Sasidharan nair and Aniyan George  Order  Upon consideration of the complaint and the counter complaint, and consistent with the Court’s oral opinion of May 7, 2008, the court finds that the election by the members of the General Council of Fokana in June 2006 was null and void and did not result in the election of any duly elected officers of Fokana. Consequently, pursuant to Article VI, 4 of the Bylaws, the Fokana officers of 2004-2006 remained the legitimate officers of Fokana until such time as the General council could elect new officers. In January, 2008, the general Council met and duly elected new officers. The actions of Mr George and others to elect new officers of Fokana were unauthorized by the Fokana bylaws and therefore are deemed to be null and void. Therefore, it is this 7th day of May, 2008 by the Circuit Court of Montgomery county, 

Ordered, that defendant George Koshy is permanently enjoined from misrepresenting to any person that he is the Chairman of Fokana board of trustees and it is further, Ordered that Defendant Sasidharan nair is permanently enjoined from mirepresenting to any person that he is the President of Fokana unless elected to said office by the Fokana general council, and it is further, 

Ordered that Defendant aniyan George is permanatly enjoined from misrepresenting to any person that he is the Secretary of fokana unless electe to said office by the Fokana General council, and it is further Ordered that Defendants Koshy, Nair and George are permanently enjoined from conducting or otherwise convening any meeting of the Board of Trustees, the Board of Directors, or General Council of Fokana in violation of the constitution and Bylaws of that organization, and it is further 

Ordered that, Defendants Koshy, Nair, and George are permanently enjoined from asserting or attempting to assert any administrative, financial or managerial control over Fokana until such time as defendants have been elected to offices of Fokana by the General Council, and it is further Ordered, that the election results of January 19, 2008 are determines to be valid and legitimate and those officers elected are deemed the legitimate officers of Fokana, and it is further 

Ordered, that on the Counter Complaint, the court grants a judgment in favor of the Counter-Defendants.  —————————– 

ORDER OF COURT (BOYNTON, J.) THAT DEFENDANTS KOSHY, NAIR, AND GEORGE ARE PERMANENTLY ENJOINED FROM ASSERTING OR ATTEMPTING TO ASSERT ANY ADMINISTRATIVE, FINANCIAL OR MANAGERIAL CONTROL OVER FOKANA UNTIL SUCH TIME AS DEFENDANTS HAVE BEEN ELECTED TO OFFICES OF FOKANA BY THE FOKANA GENERAL COUNCIL; THAT THE ELECTION RESULTS OF JANUARY 19, 2008 ARE DETERMINED TO BE VALID AND LEGITIMATE AND THOSE OFFICERS ELECTED ARE DEEMED THE LEGITIMATE OFFICERS OF FOKANA; AND THAT ON THE COUNTER COMPLAINT, THE COURT GRANTS A JUDGMENT IN FAVOR OF THE COUNTER-DEFENDANTS AS TO ALL COUNTS, ENTERED. (COPIES HANDED/MAILED)

http://casesearch.courts.state.md.us/inquiry/inquiry-index.jsp