Three Months of Togetherness: Celebrating Culture, Community & Achievements
August, September, and October have been wonderful months for the Central Ohio Malayalee Association. From celebrating the spirit of Onam and cheering our sports teams to encouraging our children to embrace their language, promoting community service, and inspiring one another through personal achievements, these months have once again demonstrated what makes COMA special.
As we step into November, we also celebrated Kerala Piravi on November 1st, commemorating the formation of our beloved Kerala. It is a special occasion to remember our language, culture, traditions, and heritage – the roots that connect Malayalees across generations and continents. Though miles away from our homeland, the spirit of Kerala continues to thrive through our community, our celebrations, and our efforts to pass our cultural legacy on to the next generation.
Whether it was the excitement of a packed cultural celebration, the thrill of a cricket final, the friendly competition of Walktober, or the joy of welcoming new families into our community, the common thread has been our willingness to come together, participate, and support one another.
As we look back at these three months, here are some of the moments that made this period particularly memorable.
Onam 2026 – A Grand Celebration of Our Heritage
The highlight of August was undoubtedly COMA Onam 2026, celebrated on August 29 at Dominion Middle School. It was a wonderful gathering that brought together families and friends to celebrate the traditions, culture, and festive spirit of Kerala.
From the beautiful Pookkalam and the much-anticipated Onam Sadya to an exciting lineup of cultural performances, the celebration offered something for everyone. The cultural program featured a wonderful variety of performances, bringing together the diverse talents of our community and adding color, energy, and vibrancy to the Onam celebrations.
The grand finale by Naadan Penpada brought the celebrations to an energetic close, followed by music and dancing that kept the festive spirit alive.
But beyond the performances and festivities, what truly made this Onam special was the extraordinary community participation. Volunteers worked tirelessly across every aspect of the event—from venue setup, decorations, kitchen coordination, and food service to registration, transportation, backstage management, and cultural program coordination. Parents, children, performers, and volunteers all contributed to making the celebration a memorable success.
The event also received recognition in Malayala Manorama and Marunadan Malayalee, highlighting the vibrant Onam celebrations of the Columbus Malayalee community.
A heartfelt thank-you to our sponsors, volunteers, performers, parents, and everyone who contributed their time and energy. Onam 2026 was a beautiful reminder that our traditions remain alive because we celebrate them together.
Columbus Tuskers – Making Our Community Proud
It has been another memorable period for our very own Columbus Tuskers, who continue to represent our community with determination and competitive spirit.
At the NAMSL Maveli Cup 2026 in Baltimore, the Tuskers delivered an outstanding performance, remaining unbeaten throughout the tournament until the final. Facing a talented Canadian team featuring former Santosh Trophy players, our boys fought hard and finished as runners-up after a remarkable campaign. A special congratulations to Anish Manalipparambil, who received the Golden Glove Award as the tournament’s Best Goalkeeper.
The team also had plenty to celebrate in October, delivering an impressive double achievement in local cricket competitions. The Tuskers emerged as Champions of the Dussehra Premier League (DPL) and finished as Runners-up in the Columbus Cricket Club (CCC) Tournament.
These achievements reflect the commitment, teamwork, and dedication of our players, coaches, and supporters. Congratulations to the entire Tuskers family!
COMA Malayali T7 Cricket Tournament – A Celebration of Sportsmanship
September brought another exciting sporting occasion with the COMA Malayali T7 Cricket Tournament 2026. Spread across September 25 and 26, the tournament brought together adult and junior players for two days of cricket, competition, and camaraderie.
The tournament featured exciting matchups, team introductions, friendly rivalries, and plenty of enthusiastic support from families and friends. Despite the chilly weather, spectators and families stayed until the final, cheering on the teams and keeping the excitement alive.
Congratulations to our winners:
- Adult Champions: Kombans – Captain Suraj Sukumaran
- Adult Runners-up: Smart Boyz – Captain Krish
- Junior Champions: Junior Blasters – Captain Anjan Harishankar
- Junior Runners-up: Junior Strikers – Captain Andrew Cheriyan
The tournament also featured a fun winner-prediction challenge, adding another layer of excitement for participants and spectators.
A special appreciation goes to the organizing committee—Arun Chand, Rakesh, and Pradeesh—and all the captains, umpires, volunteers, and supporters who made the tournament run smoothly. It was yet another wonderful example of how sports bring our community together across generations.
Walktober 2026 – Every Step Counts!
October saw COMA take a different kind of sporting challenge with Walktober 2026, an initiative encouraging members to stay active, build healthy habits, and motivate one another.
What started as a walking challenge quickly became a community-wide movement. Participation grew beyond 125 members, with friendly leaderboard rivalries, walking groups, daily updates, and plenty of good-natured WhatsApp banter.
The challenge encouraged participants to aim for an average of 10,000 steps a day, with special recognition for the leading participants. At the halfway point, more than 65 members were maintaining that daily average.
One particularly inspiring highlight was Shakunthala Amma, at 76 years young, who was averaging approximately 25,000 steps a day and securing a place among the top participants. She reminded everyone that enthusiasm and determination have no age limits!
From competitive daily step counts to friends walking together and sharing a little gossip along the way, Walktober became much more than a fitness challenge. It brought people together around a shared goal of healthier living.
A special thank-you to everyone who initiated, coordinated, and participated in this wonderful initiative. Every step truly counts!
Keeping Our Language Alive – COMA Malayalam Classes
Preserving our language and cultural identity remains an important part of COMA’s mission. Continuing this commitment, COMA Malayalam Classes for the 2026–27 school year were announced in September.
With separate Beginner and Intermediate classes, the program aims to help children develop confidence in speaking Malayalam while strengthening their reading, writing, and comprehension skills.
For children growing up in the United States, learning Malayalam is about more than acquiring another language. It is about staying connected to grandparents, family traditions, Kerala, and the stories and celebrations that define our heritage.
We look forward to seeing more children embrace this opportunity and carry our beautiful language forward to the next generation. A sincere thank-you to the instructors and volunteers who dedicate their time to making this possible.
Our Youth, Our Pride – Making a Difference
It has been particularly encouraging to see our younger members taking meaningful steps toward community service, leadership, and personal growth.
COMA Youth Bake Sale – A Celebration of Giving Back
Adding another meaningful dimension to the Onam celebrations, the COMA Youth Team organized a successful bake sale featuring a delightful variety of treats, from refreshing lassi to homemade tea cakes. The initiative received tremendous support from the community, with youth members, parents, and the COMA Executive Committee coming together to make it a success. Thanks to everyone’s generosity and support, the team raised $500, with all proceeds going to the Mid-Ohio Food Collective to support local families in need. It was a wonderful example of our younger generation embracing the spirit of community service and giving back. A big thank-you to everyone who contributed, prepared, volunteered, and supported this thoughtful initiative!
One inspiring example was Rohan Hari, whose volunteering experience with the Mid-Ohio Food Collective helped him discover a deeper interest in community service and heart health. His involvement in the Heartspark initiative, which supports hunger action and a healthier community, also earned him recognition through an NBC4 feature.
Rohan’s journey is a wonderful example of how community involvement can help young people discover their passions and shape their future aspirations. His hope to extend similar opportunities to other interested students is especially encouraging.
Another wonderful highlight came from Arya Janardhanan and her friend Evelyn Joseph, who, together with their Otterbein Asian Community team, organized an Onam celebration at Otterbein University. It was the first time an Onam celebration had been hosted at the university in its 180-year history!
Their initiative brought a piece of Kerala’s culture to the university campus, introducing students from diverse backgrounds to our traditions, food, and celebrations. It was a proud moment for our community and a wonderful demonstration of our younger generation taking the lead in sharing their heritage.
These stories remind us that our youth are not just the future of COMA; they are already making a difference today.
Creativity, Inspiration & Community Connections
Our community continues to surprise us with its creativity and willingness to celebrate one another’s special moments.
A particularly memorable example was the creation of a 22-minute AI-powered short film to celebrate the 25th wedding anniversary of COMA members Ashish and Sangeetha. Developed in just two weeks, the film brought together family memories, storytelling, humor, and imagination through the creative efforts of Jay Menon, Sreejith Chandran, and Aravind V.K., along with several supporting families and contributors. It was a thoughtful and innovative anniversary gift that demonstrated how technology and creativity can come together to create something truly personal and memorable.
We also celebrated another inspiring story from our community through Deepa Menon’s podcast feature, Reinventing at 40: How I Survived a 40-Feet Fall To Climb Everest. Her journey of resilience and determination serves as a powerful reminder that life’s challenges need not define our limits.
October also saw our community members participate in the Columbus Marathon events, with runners taking part in the 5K, half-marathon, and full-marathon distances. Their enthusiasm reflects the growing interest in fitness and active living within our community.
From creative projects and personal milestones to volunteering and athletic achievements, these stories demonstrate the many ways our members continue to inspire one another.
Looking Ahead – More Reasons to Come Together
As we move toward the final months of 2026, there is plenty to look forward to!
Batminton, November 15, adding to the excitement of the upcoming months, COMA is gearing up to host a badminton tournament on November 15, 2026. Promising a day filled with energy, friendly competition, and community spirit, the event will bring together badminton enthusiasts of all skill levels for some fun on and off the court. Beyond the matches, it will be another wonderful opportunity for COMA members and families to connect, cheer each other on, and celebrate the spirit of sportsmanship and togetherness. We look forward to seeing our community come together for an exciting day of badminton!
And, of course, preparations are underway for our COMA Christmas Celebration on December 5, another wonderful opportunity for families to come together and celebrate the festive season.
We look forward to seeing everyone at these upcoming gatherings!
August, September, and October have reminded us that the strength of COMA lies not simply in the events we organize, but in the people who make them happen. It is in the volunteers who step forward, the families who participate, the youngsters who take initiative, the players who represent us, and the members who support one another in countless ways.
A heartfelt thank-you to our Executive Committee, trustees, sponsors, volunteers, contributors, participants, and every COMA family member. Your time, enthusiasm, generosity, and commitment continue to make this community vibrant and welcoming.
COMA is where our traditions find a home, our talents find a stage, our friendships grow, and our community finds its strength.
Let us carry this spirit forward as we look ahead to many more celebrations, achievements, and memories together!
– Prahlad T. Indira
Why Native Plants Belong in Your Yard
– Emy Varughese
(Dr. Emy Elizabeth Varughese is a passionate veterinarian who extends her care for animals into the natural world as a dedicated rewilder. When she isn’t treating animals, she channels her expertise into cultivating thriving native plant habitats that bring local birds, bees, and butterflies back to life)
It always starts with a thought. When my husband said, “We need to eliminate all invasive and non-native species of plants and plant more native ones,” I was left wondering what those words meant. That thought led me down a rabbit hole I somehow cannot dig myself out of. These days, I seem to be in a perpetual meeting with my plants.
Native plants are species that developed and grew naturally in a specific region without human help. They develop deep root systems (6–16 feet), which allow plants to absorb large amounts of water during heavy rainfall and find water during droughts, helping immensely in preventing soil erosion. Because of that, they are very low-maintenance. They always look fresh and alive compared to our lawn.
Most plants are either perennial (come back every year without any input from us) or biennial (vegetative growth in the first year and flowers in the second year to produce seeds). Plant and forget—who does not like that!
On the contrary, the roots of turf grass extend only 2–6 inches, providing absolutely no benefit to the soil or wildlife. When I watch some of my neighbours tending closely to their lawns, watering them and obsessing over dried patches, I have this deep urge to go and talk to them—the Malayalee in me. But then I hold back for fear of being called “Mrs. Mow-it-All!”
I developed a deep fascination for pollinators two years ago when I attended a talk at one of the Metro Parks on butterflies. Native plants are four times more attractive to native pollinators and supply the precise nutrition, pollen and food that adults and other life stages need to survive. Animal pollinators like bees, butterflies, flies and hummingbirds help produce most of the world’s fruits, vegetables and nuts. The indiscriminate use of pesticides, pollution and global warming have caused a significant decline in pollinators worldwide. What would happen to our food system without these humble creatures we take for granted?
I recall seeing swarms of bees on the common boneset in our backyard two years ago, and much to my dismay, I hardly saw a couple this year. Even more alarming is the decline in butterflies and bees in our front yard. Our front-yard beds are mostly native. We had all kinds of butterflies, including black swallowtails, monarchs, skippers, painted ladies and fritillaries, visiting last year. This year, I may have seen only a swallowtail and a monarch, despite having so many native plants. Should we be concerned? Absolutely!
If I have not buzzed your ear off enough, and you have no clue where to start, shoot me a text. We can bond over fish molly.
Growing a native garden is like rolling out a green welcome mat for the wild world around us. You don’t need a massive property or a green thumb; a small patch of soil can spark a change. Pick up a purple coneflower or a blazing star—the bees and butterflies are counting on you.
– Emy Varughese
USA – My Drive-By Impressions
(A visitor’s humorous take on the big, bold, and fascinating aspects of American life)
– A.O.Varughese
(Mr. Varughese Oommen is a retired supply chain professional based in Kochi, Kerala, with a passion for putting his thoughts and observations into words. These reflections were inspired by his visit to the United States, where he spent time with his daughter and her family. He is the father of Emy Varughese, who lives in Columbus, OH)
To conquer this land, the early settlers needed a big heart, and from that ethos, everything here decided it must be big. Big is a marketing mainstay, a national mood, and a Costco aisle. It’s a vast country where you can live in relative isolation and then drive into cities to meet the madding crowd. It is difficult to see people until you head to the malls, events or offices. New York and Washington, D.C. are full of tourists. The only time I saw a cluster of older people was in Chinatown in New York – in a park, exercising, playing mahjong and a couple playing a one stringed instrument.
News is filtered through late-night hosts who craft compelling narratives for loyal followers. Newspapers are passé, and everyone seems to be on the podcast bandwagon. Food portions are enormous – meant for two but eaten by one. Tattoos are mainstream, hinting at a subtle identity crisis. A brewing crisis awaits when the skin sags – that’s when bald eagles will look like sad eagles. Dress codes vary, but one does get used to them.
Traffic is monotonous, boring, and law-abiding. Car seats for children are a strict rule, even for newborns. Children have rights that infringe on adult sanity. Courtesy is pervasive: queues are sacred, and “thank you” forms an unbroken partnership. Greeting strangers in your neighbourhood is de rigueur. Having a dog and walking it seems to be a measure of human dignity.
New experiences are an office talking point. Board games of immeasurable variety are pursued by all ages. Drinking canned sparkling water of dubious taste is one way of showing the middle finger to Perrier. Mini wagons are the rage, hauling children and luggage that often includes the family pet. Muscle cars and trucks will never fade; Shelby enjoys a cult following, and monster trucks remain a cherished fantasy.
Credit cards are king, not cash. Tech is pervasive and daunting for the uninitiated. Coffee vending machines belittle one’s intelligence and send you running for canned caffeine. Ordering is a fingertip exercise, provided you have multiple cards. The mainstay of life here are the eateries, and probably they must have fuelled Tech to be so pervasive.
Packaging can be innovative or infuriating, but it certainly forces both hemispheres to coordinate. Home Depot is huge because labour is expensive, and with equality a compelling narrative, someone at home had better be good with a spanner.
Lawns seem like a legislated business, a multi-multi-million revenue generating business with around 90 million mowers in use – better mow your lawn or face a fine. Most garages are filled with an assortment of machinery to keep lawns spick and span.
Lastly, self-driven cars are no longer a fad, and one can sit in comfort and safety. Now, I bid adieu to this land and go back to my land that sways between enigmatic and labyrinthine. Ah, the comfort of nonchalance!
In jest,
– A.O.Varughese
When Magic Meets Miracles
– Sachinlal Sugathan
Teaser:
Why do we learn science formulas in school? Where do they ever come to use? Sometimes, they help us see through the glitter — to find truth shining beneath….
The lights dim, and Aravid, our ever-smiling friend and magician – steps into the spotlight. That same mischievous smile (ആ നിഷ്കളങ്കമായ കള്ളചിരി) he flashes at COMA events or during a pooja at the temple now gleams under the stage lights.
He begins his show with what he calls a “warm-up trick” before moving to the big illusions. The hall grows silent; soft music fades in. With a calm gesture, he lifts his hand — and suddenly, a shower of silver dust spills from his palm. The audience bursts into applause, children gasp, and Aravid bows with that familiar grin that says, “Got you again.”
Later backstage, he laughs and explains the secret: a tiny compressed tablet hidden in his sleeve, flicked into his palm and crushed at the perfect moment. Simple. Precise. Effortless. Yet this very act — one of the easiest tricks in his repertoire — is the same one some so-called “messengers of God” use to convince people they possess supernatural powers.
Across faiths and continents, such men — in robes or designer suits — claim to produce holy ash, sacred dust, or divine light from thin air. Crowds bow, cameras flash, and belief deepens.
But let’s be generous. Suppose these miracles aren’t tricks at all. Suppose these people truly create matter. What kind of energy would that require? Time to revisit our high-school physics.
Brushing Up on High-School Physics
According to the Law of Conservation of Matter and Energy, matter can neither be created nor destroyed — only transformed. Every atom around us has existed since the birth of the universe.
If someone truly “creates” holy ash, they must convert pure energy into matter. The relationship between mass and energy is given by Einstein’s equation:
E = mc²
Where:
E = energy required (in joules)
m = mass created (in kilograms)
c = speed of light ≈ 299,792,458 m/s
Assume one such act produces ten grams of ash:
m = 10 grams = 0.01 kg
E = 0.01 × (2.99792458 × 10⁸)² = 8.99 × 10¹⁴ joules
That’s 899 trillion joules — the energy needed to create just a handful of ash!
Putting It in Perspective
• Electrical energy: ≈ 250 million kWh — enough to power 250,000 homes for a month.
• Explosive energy: ≈ 215 kilotons of TNT, about 14 times the Hiroshima blast.
• Hydroelectric scale: roughly 12 days of continuous generation from Kerala’s Idukki Hydroelectric Project, one of India’s largest dams.
If such energy were truly unleashed in a hall, we wouldn’t be watching calmly — we’d be vaporized in awe, quite literally.
So maybe these “miracles” aren’t bending the laws of physics after all.
And now, back to that old classroom question: “Why do we learn all these formulas?”
Turns out, you can use them in two ways:
- To calculate the incredible powers of these so-called divine beings and bow a little lower next time.
- Or to build a bit of common sense — and realize that curiosity is the truest form of faith.
Your choice.
Faith comforts. Science questions. Together, they create understanding. So the next time you see a “miracle,” don’t stop clapping — just start wondering.
Even creating one gram of matter would need ~90 trillion joules — enough to power an entire city for days.
“If matter truly appeared from thin air, even Idukki would bow in awe.”
As we mark World Science Day on November 10, let’s remember that every question we ask, every formula we revisit, and every illusion we decode brings us a little closer to truth — and that’s the real miracle of being human.
– Sachinlal Sugathan
നിരുപാധികമാം സ്നേഹം…
– Sreejith Chandran
മനസ്സുതുറന്നു സ്നേഹിക്കാൻ …
പരിഭവം പറയാൻ .. പരാതി പറയാൻ …
വെറുതെ വഴക്കുകൂടാൻ..
ഇടിമിന്നൽപെയ്യുന്ന തുലാവർഷരാത്രികളിൽ ,
ആ കൈകൾക്കുള്ളിൽ ഭയമറിയാതുറങ്ങാൻ …
ആ മൃദുല കവിൾ തടങ്ങൾ
മെല്ലെ തലോടിയൊരുമ്മ നൽകാൻ
ഉണ്ണിയപ്പം പമ്മിയെടുത്തോണ്ടു ഓടുമ്പോൾ, പിന്നിൽ നിന്ന് പിടിച്ചൊരു അടിയും തന്നു, എടാ കള്ള ചെറുക്കാ .. എന്ന് പറഞ്ഞൊരു ആലിംഗനം കൈപ്പറ്റാൻ …
എനിക്കെൻ്റെ അമ്മൂമ്മയെ വേണം ..
അമ്മൂമ്മയോളം അമ്മൂമ്മ മാത്രം ..
– Sreejith Chandran
Awesome stories!