Challenges Facing UK Knanaya Community

When UKKCA was formed with just two units, those few who took the initiative perhaps did not imagine the way it would grow during the next 10 years.

Since then thousands of Knanites migrated to U.K. and today we can find a Knanaya family in almost every village of this nation.  From just 2 the number of units became over 40.

Numerically it has grown, true.  But, qualitatively, what has been our record?

Number of participants in the annual conventions is increasing year by year, and we all are proud of it.  But, apart from this what else has been our achievements?  Can any former president or secretary honestly claim that “I have done this for the Community?”  Still, most of them want to come back and occupy the chair again.

Today, as we are all getting ready to elect a new E.C. there are unprecedented havoc in the community.  It has become dirtier than Billings Gate (London’s fish market).  We see our people blaming one’s own brother. 

What is ailing the Community?

I don’t know the cure, but the answer to the above question is clear – lack of proper leadership.

If we had proper leadership in the past, UKKCA would have been a different organization by now.  In my opinion (this is only my opinion, and I believe, like anyone else in this country I have the right to have an opinion) our problems are (1) the leaders failed to utilise the talents of the community members, and (2) they could not prepare a proper constitution which could have avoided all washing of dirty linen in public that is happening to the community’s total disgrace.

May I suggest to the leadership that is in the offing the following:

(1)       Look for people who have some understanding of legal affairs to sit together and review UKKCA Constitution taking into account all the crises that happened during the past.  For this purpose, all the previous Presidents/Secretaries could be co-opted in the committee (though they need not be made members).  In addition, the report or the revised constitution should be got vetted by lawyers both in India and in U.K.  Any amount spent for this purpose would be a wise investment with long-lasting results.

(2)       Roles of each official should be defined and there should be clear procedures for everything, including elections.  From what is happening now one notices that the UKKCA Spiritual Advisor’s actions and inactions have damaged the organization.  We should have the sense to know that a priest has an important role in our life.  But we should know where to draw the lines.  After a wedding, we bid farewell to the priest once the celebrations are over.  He is never invited to the honeymoon chamber. 

(3)       V. S. Achuthanadan or Oomman Chandy do not have the audacity to handle the affairs of our Kerala State without officials.   We may not have the financial wherewithal to pay for bureaucrats, but we could at least seek the free services of Knanaya Community members from various walks of life – IT Professionals, legal personnel, Accountants/financial experts, journalists, artists, etc., etc.  Whether you like it or not, that is the way the world functions.

(4)       Have the sense to listen to the matured section of the community. When a senior member of the community recently made a suggestion (he was not dictating anything, he was only putting forth a suggestion) one Mr. Anonymous asked him to “keep your mouth shut.”  Serious responsibilities of the Community should not be left to such clowns.  Yes, they are there, but they should not be allowed to hijack Knanaya Community.


I wish the future leaders a smooth and fruitful term.