Onam Vibes Are Here!
The month of Chingam has arrived, bringing with it that unmistakable feeling of Onam. 🌼🌾 From the first thoughts of pookkalam and sadya to the familiar sounds of Malayalam songs, celebrations, and gatherings, the spirit of Onam is in the air. For Malayalees, Onam is more than a festival; it is a time to come together, celebrate our heritage, renew friendships, and create memories with family and community. As Chingam unfolds, let the Onam vibes grow stronger and remind us of the joy, togetherness, and traditions that connect us, wherever we may call home. Onashamsakal! 🌸💛
From Chayakkada to the World Cup: A Summer of Community, Celebration, and Connection
June and July have given us so many reasons to celebrate what makes the Central Ohio Malayalee Association special. Looking back at these two months, one theme stands out above all: community comes alive when we come together.
COMA Picnic 2026 — Kuttappante Chayakkada
The summer began with the excitement of our COMA Picnic 2026 — Kuttappante Chayakkada. What started as an idea quickly grew into one of the highlights of our summer calendar. From the moment registration opened to the announcement that tickets had sold out, the enthusiasm was unmistakable. On June 20, Liberty Park in Powell was transformed into a nostalgic Kerala tea shop, complete with tea, traditional snacks, Kerala delicacies, games, music, and, of course, the spirit of Kuttappante Chayakkada.
But the real success of the picnic was not the food or the activities—it was the people. Volunteers worked tirelessly behind the scenes, families and friends filled the park with laughter, and the Vadamvali competition brought out plenty of friendly rivalry. The many messages of appreciation afterward were a wonderful reminder that the best COMA events are built not only by the Executive Committee, but by an entire community willing to participate, volunteer, encourage, and celebrate together.
The picnic also showcased something close to the heart of our community: our ability to preserve memories of home while creating new memories here in Central Ohio. The sight of a traditional chayakkada recreated in Powell, the familiar flavors, Malayalam conversations, games, and friendships all bridged generations and thousands of miles.
“ചായക്കട ഇനി എന്ന് തുറക്കും?”
COMA FIFA World Cup Bracket Challenge
And then there was football!
The COMA FIFA World Cup Bracket Challenge turned the summer tournament into a community-wide competition. What began with 13 challengers grew to 37 participants, with the leaderboard providing plenty of conversation and friendly banter throughout the tournament. As the competition progressed from the group stage through the knockout rounds, every update brought new suspense. Congratulations to Binix, our champion with 344 points, followed by Crazy orange with 333 points and Tojo with 331 points.
The excitement culminated in our World Cup Final Watch Party at The Lazy Chameleon on July 19. With families and children welcome, jerseys on display, and the final on the big screen, it was another wonderful example of COMA turning a global event into a shared community experience. The event eventually sold out, and the photos and messages afterward captured the excitement of a community cheering together.
Investing in Our Youth, Building Our Future
As a community, one of our greatest responsibilities and opportunities is to nurture the next generation. Our young people bring fresh ideas, energy, creativity, and a unique perspective to everything they do. Giving them meaningful opportunities to participate, lead, volunteer, and connect with one another is an investment in the future of our community.
With this vision, COMA’s Youth Wing provides a platform for young members between the ages of 12 and 25 to come together, build leadership skills, gain hands-on experience, and make a positive impact in the community. Beyond simply participating in activities, the Youth Wing offers our young members an opportunity to understand what it takes to build and run an organization, work as a team, serve others, and take on responsibilities that help them grow in confidence and character.
Community involvement at a young age can leave a lasting impression. The friendships they build, the experiences they gain, and the service they provide can become an important part of their journey and help shape them into future leaders of our community.
We encourage our eligible young members to explore this wonderful opportunity and become part of the COMA Youth Wing. Our community’s future is in their hands, and it is our role to give them the opportunities and encouragement to lead it forward.
Learn more and get involved:
https://www.comaohio.org/youth-wing/
Upcoming COMA Events
Onam – August 29th
The countdown has begun. The event promises to be a lively celebration filled with culture, tradition, performances, and reconnecting with our roots.
Be a COMA member here:
https://www.comaohio.org/product/membership-2026-27/
As we move forward into the second half of the year, let us carry this momentum with us. COMA is more than a calendar of events, a membership organization, or a WhatsApp group. It is a network of people who show up for one another – whether to celebrate, compete, volunteer, welcome a newcomer, share an opportunity, or simply enjoy a cup of tea together.
A heartfelt thank-you goes to every volunteer, sponsor, participant, organizer, contributor, and family member who helped make these past two months so memorable. Your time, energy, generosity, and enthusiasm are what keep our community thriving.
There are many more celebrations ahead, and we look forward to sharing them with all of you.
– Prahlad T. Indira
Lessons from Peru
– Gowri Nair
(Gowri is a student at Dublin Jerome High School. When she is not busy with school, she enjoys playing tennis, reading, or watching a movie. She loves traveling to new places and hanging out with her friends, and she hopes these tips help you out on your next adventure!)
Packing for Peru means preparing for everything from the busy ancient cities to the Andes peaks towering nearly 20,000 feet. This unique country is known for its rich history, thrilling landscapes, and incredible food. However, a major piece of advice I would give is that Peru is not a country you want to plan for a last minute trip. My family and I decided, like many things, to plan this entire trip in a very short time frame of 2 weeks. While we very much enjoyed our trip, pulling it together on such short notice required us to deal with annoying logistics, limited schedules, and some major learning curves. We ended up fitting everything we wanted to do in our 6 day itinerary with some serious trial and error. Here is an insight of what we saw, how we booked it, and some of the crucial mistakes you should avoid when planning your journey to Peru.
Preventing Altitude Sickness
Dealing with altitude sickness is major when travelling to Peru, especially since Cusco sits 11,152 feet above sea level. To prevent headaches and fatigue the best strategy is to gradually adjust to the altitude. Which is why it is smart to start your trip in a lower-altitude spot like the Sacred Valley, the lower elevation gives your body a muchly gentler environment to acclimatize. From there you can slowly work your way up to higher elevations, saving extreme treks like the Rainbow Mountain for the end of the trip. Throughout the journey it is important to stay hydrated, eat light meals, and drink local remedies like coca tea which helps with oxygen intake.
Sacred Valley, Moray, and the Salt mines
Before heading to Machu Picchu or the Rainbow Mountain, my family and I spent some time exploring the Sacred Valley, which offered a mix of historical landscapes and was a great place to adjust to the altitude! Instead of booking a crowded group tour to see these sights, we chose to book through Taxidatum, a private taxi service in Peru that lets you book fixed-rate drivers for the day. It is not a guided tour, but rather a private driver who will pick you up from your hotel, and safely transport your family and luggage from site to site, and wait for you at the entrance while you explore at your own pace. This decision gave us total freedom with our schedule, which was helpful given our last minute planning.
Chinchero
Known as the birthplace of the rainbow, this high-altitude village is surrounded by massive Inca agricultural terraces that wrap around the hillside like huge staircases. Around these stone walls, it is clear how the Incas perfectly modified the mountains for farming. Nevertheless, the real highlight to this town was a tiny family business where we were able to witness a traditional weaving demonstration, where the local women showed us how they used natural ingredients like plants and crushed insects to dye sheep and alpaca wool into vibrant colors. While the authentic, high-quality baby alpaca items here are a bit pricey, they also have plenty of affordable items to choose from. If you are willing to spend money on authentic alpaca fur, this is a great place to do it. Ultimately, it felt great that we were supporting a local family business, rather than settling for the fake alpaca souvenirs you often see from street vendors.
Moray
An archaeological site filled with ancient circular Incan terraces that look like a giant amphitheater. However, it was actually a highly advanced agricultural site where Incas tested their crops at varying microclimates, as the temperature shifts from warmer on the lower levels to cooler on the top. Additionally, the site also served as an astronomical observatory to observe the sun’s alignment and predict seasons in the region through the shadows casted by the mountains. Its construction reflects the Incas’ deep knowledge of engineering, agriculture, and astronomy tying into their spiritual belief that the cosmos and earth are deeply connected.
Maras Salt Mines
Our last stop in the sacred valley was the Maras Salt Mines which features over 3,000 terraced pools which have been in use since pre-Inca times. The pools are fed by an underground saltwater spring which originated during the formation of the Andes mountains. The pools are still actively harvested by local families today, and you can even buy a couple bags to take home!
Last Minute Machu Picchu Planning
Now like I have said before, my family and I did not book our passes to Machu Picchu in advance. We completely missed all the bookings online and were not even planning on seeing the world wonder. However, we decided to take the risk and embark on an unplanned two day journey. We boarded a train through Peru Rail out to Aguas Calientes(the base town of the mountain) and immediately headed to the Ministry of Culture center to purchase their in-person last minute tickets. They sell only 1,000 of these last minute tickets a day, but we got incredibly lucky and managed to score passes for Circuit 2, which is considered the route with the best view for pictures.
A bit of history on the citadel was that it was built in the 15th century by the Inca Emperor Pachacuti, and served as an elite royal estate and sacred religious site before being abandoned during Spanish conquest. For centuries the city was hidden, but there were a few local families that lived and farmed in the terraces without ever knowing the grand stone city’s name. It remained a secret until 1911, when Yale professor Hiram Bingham was led to the site by a local and brought the ancient city into the global spotlight.
Rainbow Mountain
The Rainbow Mountain, also known as the Vinicunca mountain to the local Quechua people, was the most physically challenging part of our trip. We booked a guide through Alpaca Expeditions, who picked us up from our hotel at around 3:00 AM for a rugged four hour drive to the trail. After some hot coca tea and a traditional Peruvian breakfast(all provided by Alpaca expeditions), we began our trek. The hike is only around 4.5 miles but is famously tough due to the extreme altitude, starting around 15,000 feet and peaking at an elevation around 17,000 feet above sea level. Luckily, our guides encouraged everybody to walk at their own pace and were present with oxygen tanks just in case anyone struggled with the thin air.
If you want to skip most of the walking, you can hire a horse to take you up the mountain. Just keep in mind that horses are only allowed up to the third rest stop, meaning you will still have to hike the final, steepest stretch to reach the summit on your own two feet!
Ultimately, the views from the top of the mountain were beautiful and waking up extra early to beat the crowds was definitely worth it! However, my advice for this hike is to not underestimate the altitude of this trek. It is recommended saving this hike for the very end of your trip to give your body time to adapt. Even though our family was fully acclimatized and prepared, it was still a tough day, but was very rewarding in the end.
– Gowri Nair
Chasing My Dream, One Step at a Time
– Ishika Menon
I first heard about the Air Force from a family friend, but what stayed with me wasn’t the branch itself. It was the idea that it could help me build confidence, discipline, and self-respect.
At the time, I was already interested in nursing. As I explored different specialties, I discovered flight nursing, and I immediately knew that was what I wanted to do. Most nurses work in one hospital, but flight nurses go where patients need them most. They care for people during some of the most critical moments of their lives, often while in the air. The combination of nursing, emergency care, and service inspired me. For the first time, I felt completely sure about my future.
Basic training showed me what it would take to follow that dream.
For three months, I had no phone and could only communicate through letters. My mom wrote to me constantly, and every letter reminded me why I needed to keep going. The days started at 5:30 in the morning. Beds had to be perfect. Mistakes had consequences for the entire team. We trained in the Texas heat, carried heavy equipment, and pushed ourselves far beyond our comfort zones. There were days when I felt exhausted, but I learned that growth happens when you keep going even when things are difficult.
The hardest part wasn’t the physical training. It was being away from my family.
My mom is the reason I kept going. She brought me to this country so I could have opportunities she never had, sacrificing comfort, stability, and so much of her own life to give me a better future. While I was in training, she made sacrifices too, waiting for letters, worrying about me, and supporting me from far away.
About a month into training, I was finally allowed to make a phone call. Hearing my mom’s voice after weeks of silence brought tears to my eyes. In that moment, I realized this journey wasn’t just mine. Every challenge I faced was connected to the sacrifices she had already made for me.
The proudest moment of my life was graduation. I looked into the crowd and saw my mom smiling and crying at the same time. That smile meant everything. It reminded me of how hard she had worked to help me reach that moment. My grandfather even saluted me through a video call from thousands of miles away. It was a memory I will never forget.
Today, I am in nursing school, and I know exactly where I am headed. My goal is to become a flight nurse in critical care. I know the path will not be easy. There will be long nights, difficult classes, and many obstacles. But I am ready for them because I have found my passion.
If there is one lesson I learned from my story, it will be this: never be afraid to chase a dream that matters to you. Hard work, sacrifice, and determination are never wasted. When you know your purpose and stay committed to it, every challenge becomes a step forward.
I am still at the beginning of my journey, but I know where I want to go. Most importantly, I want to make my mom proud and honor the sacrifices she made to help me get here. That will always be my greatest motivation.
– Ishika Menon
The World Cup Through COMA Eyes
– Sachinlal Sugathan
Because the best stories aren’t always on the pitch.
Every four years, the FIFA World Cup brings the world to a standstill. And if there’s one place outside the footballing nations where the passion burns just as brightly, it’s Kerala.
For Malayalis, the World Cup isn’t just about football. It’s about midnight kickoffs, endless debates, lucky jerseys, family gatherings, WhatsApp banter, and friendships that somehow survive supporting rival teams.
This year, that same passion found a home right here in Central Ohio.
Some of us watched from our living rooms.
Some from sports bars.
Some were fortunate enough to experience the magic from the stadiums themselves.
No matter where we watched, one thing was certain…
The World Cup gave us unforgettable football.
COMA gave us unforgettable stories.
Every World Cup has its champions. This one also had its characters.
COMA’s VIP Section
If Gianni Infantino was FIFA’s constant, Shakira was the fans’ favorite celebrity sighting, and Mohanlal was Kerala’s pride in the stands, then Kiran quietly became COMA’s answer to the VIP section.
He appeared at so many knockout matches that we genuinely started wondering whether FIFA had accidentally issued him an all-access pass.
By the end of the tournament, spotting Kiran in the stands became almost as expected as spotting the referee.
Turning Bronze into Gold
Most football fans agree on one thing.
The third-place playoff is usually the match everyone forgets.
Rajesh and his son Dhinan apparently took that as a personal challenge.
While many dismissed it as the “boring bronze match,” they walked into one of the most entertaining games of the tournament.
Once again, football proved that sometimes the best memories come when expectations are the lowest.
Leave it to Rajesh and his son to turn a bronze-medal match into a golden memory.
The Great Jersey Swap
Our Brazil fans deserve a special mention.
After Brazil’s exit, they showed remarkable flexibility—changing jerseys faster than substitutions and faithfully cheering for every team that stood in Argentina’s way.
The jerseys changed.
The opponents changed.
The mission stayed the same.
It took a few attempts, but perseverance finally paid off—and after adopting half the tournament, they eventually found the right jersey to celebrate in.
The Sound of Silence
Our Argentina fans spent the tournament taking shots at every rival fan.
The final changed everything.
Zero shots.
Rumor has it our COMA President records more shots on target during our weekly soccer games than Argentina managed in the final.
Football has a wicked sense of humor.
Not Every World Cup Memory Deserved a Full Chapter…
🏆 The Arsenal Scout
We had one member who somehow managed to find an Arsenal player in every single match.
🏆 Heart Rate Management
One member wisely turned off the heart-rate monitor on his smartwatch before every Argentina match.
Probably the best tactical decision of the tournament.
🏆 The Superstitious Fan
One member (Rumored to be a COMA EC member) skipped the COMA Watch Party, convinced that staying home was the lucky charm his team couldn’t afford to lose.
🏆 VAR Specialists
We also discovered that COMA has more certified VAR experts than FIFA itself.
Every controversial decision was settled within seconds… until somebody else disagreed.
🏆 The Couch Coaches
Every match proved that COMA has enough tactical geniuses to coach every team in the World Cup
🏆 The Meme Factory
Every goal…
Every miss…
Every refereeing decision…
Every celebration…
…came with a meme.
Some of them were funnier than the match itself.
🏆 The Spanish Gloves
After Spain won the World Cup, Anish bought a “lightly used” pair of goalkeeper gloves from a Spaniard on Facebook Marketplace.
Since then, he’s been winning Golden Gloves for the Tuskers.
Some call it talent.
Some call it timing.
We’re blaming the gloves.
The Oracle of COMA
While the rest of us confidently predicted the next upset… and got it spectacularly wrong, Binix quietly let his bracket do the talking.
Round after round, surprise after surprise, penalty shootout after penalty shootout, his predictions stood the test.
Congratulations to Binix, the undisputed champion of the COMA World Cup Bracket Challenge.
The only question that remains…
Was it football knowledge?
Incredible luck?
Or does he simply have the football gods on speed dial?
The Grand Finale
After a month of watching matches from different homes, different cities, and even different countries…
It was finally time to come together.
The COMA World Cup Final Watch Party wasn’t just another event.
It was where all the stories finally met.
Families walked in wearing jerseys of different nations.
Friends immediately picked up where the WhatsApp banter had left off.
The room quickly transformed into its own little World Cup stadium.
Every attack had half the room on its feet.
Every save had goalkeepers offering advice from their seats.
Every refereeing decision had our VAR specialists hard at work.
The cheers echoed across the room.
Voices disappeared long before the final whistle.
Food disappeared almost as quickly.
The drinks kept flowing.
The banter never stopped.
The Brazil fans had finally found the right jersey.
The Argentina fans… eventually found their voices again.
Binix collected his well-earned Bracket Challenge crown.
And for 120 unforgettable minutes, it didn’t matter which country we supported.
What mattered was that we were watching it together.
When the final whistle blew, the tournament came to an end.
But the conversations certainly didn’t.
The debates will continue.
The memes will keep coming.
The rivalries will be renewed.
And somewhere, someone is probably still trying to explain the offside rule.
Because that’s what football does.
It gives us stories worth telling…
…and friends worth sharing them with.
Until the next World Cup—and many more COMA gatherings before that—
See you at the next kickoff.
Editor’s Note: No friendships were harmed in the making of this article. Only a few football egos.
– Sachinlal Sugathan
മലയാളം: ഭാഷയ്ക്കപ്പുറം, നമ്മുടെ പൈതൃകം
(Beyond Language, Our Heritage)
– Sreevalsan Palikaillathu
നമ്മുടെ കുട്ടികൾ മലയാളം പഠിക്കുന്നത് ഒരു ഭാഷ പഠിക്കുന്നതിലധികം – ഒരു പാരമ്പര്യത്തെ, ഒരു സംസ്കാരത്തെ, ഒരു തിരിച്ചറിവിനെ കൈമാറുന്നതാണ്. Growing up in the US, our children hear Malayalam only at home or during community gatherings. Giving them the chance to learn our language is one of the most meaningful gifts we can offer.
Malayalam helps them stay connected to their roots – to their grandparents, to Kerala, to Onam, Vishu, temple traditions, stories, songs, and everything that makes our culture beautiful. And beyond culture, bilingual children show stronger memory, better problem‑solving skills, and higher confidence in communication.
This is why we’re excited to welcome your child to our Malayalam classes this school year!
Classes will be starting soon, and we’re accepting new students until September 10th. There will be two separate classes-
🟢 Beginner Class (Speaking & Understanding): Perfect for children who hear Malayalam at home but need help speaking confidently.
🟣 Intermediate Class (Reading, Speaking, Comprehension)
Ideal for children who already understand Malayalam and want to strengthen reading/writing skills.
If you want your child to stay connected to our culture, our stories, and our identity — this is the perfect place to begin.
We would love to have them join our Malayalam family here in the US.
Please note that there is a registration fee of $20 per student and COMA membership is a requirement to join the class.
We will be sending a registration form in the coming days for you to singnup.
– Sreevalsan Palikaillathu
