Paul Honors Residents For Contributions During Indian Heritage Month

from the Rockland County Legislature

NEW CITY, NY — The Rockland County Legislature recognized the many contributions of residents Kuruvilla Cherian and Sankaran Krishnan during an Indian Heritage Month celebration led by Legislature Vice Chairwoman Aney Paul.

“As busy as these honorees are in their professional and family lives, they have always managed to find time to serve the greater community through their many volunteer activities,” Legislature Vice Chairwoman Aney Paul said. “Kuruvilla Cherian and Sankaran Krishnan are truly worthy of this recognition, and I thank them for all they do for Rockland County and beyond.”

Each honoree was presented with a Distinguished Service Award, the Legislature’s highest honor. Legislator Toney L. Earl joined Legislator Paul for the presentations and several additional legislators, family members and other supporters also attended.

The program included a beautiful traditional Indian dance by Abhigale Koshy, clad in traditional clothing and accompanied by Indian music.

Kuruvilla Cherian’s many activities include service as president of the Hudson Valley Malayalee Association, where he encouraged youth to participate in sports; established the Malayalam Library to provide community access to literary works from Kerala, India; and facilitated the transport of deceased community members to their final resting place back in Kerala.

Cherian, a certified public accountant who has often used his CPA skills to aid the nonprofits he works with, also played a leadership role in the formation of St. James Mar Thoma Church, including getting a suitable church building in Hillburn. He also served on the Orangetown Housing Authority Board for nearly 15 years and was a member a member of the Pearl River Rotary board. He was president of the Pearl River Chamber of Commerce, during which time the first-ever Pearl River guide was published to promote local commerce and the economy.

Sankaran Krishnan’s resume of contributions is also exemplary, serving on the executive committee of the India Cultural Society of Rockland for 18 consecutive years, counting his presidency in 2010. His work during this time has included organizing the local India Day Parade and festivals.

Krishnan has been secretary and board member of the Dr. Vijay Pradhan Foundation and has also served on several other local boards.

Currently, Krishnan is Chief of Pediatric Pulmonology, Allergy, Immunology and Sleep Medicine at Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital at Westchester Medical Center. He also maintains a private practice. He is past president (2010 to 2012) and current member of the American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin. He organized a roundtable discussion on the COVID-19 pandemic situation with a robust panel of healthcare professionals from within the community which was attended by over 75 families.

Legislator Paul said the County Legislature’s ceremony comes as local residents prepare to mark India’s independence from Britain in 1947 by participating in the annual India Day Parade. It kicks off at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 12, in New City. Please assemble in the New City Library parking lot at 10:30 a.m. for the start of the procession. Festivities will take place at the County Courthouse. The sponsor is the India Cultural Society of Rockland in association with Jeevan Jyoti, FOKANA, Rockland Indio-American Lions Club and others.