Speech of Ambassador for the Onam Celebration in Almaty

September 21, 2025

Namaskaram, (Sälemetsiz be),

A very warm greetings to you all.

It is both a great honor and a profound joy for me to stand before you today, amidst the vibrant spirit of Onam, right here in the beautiful city of Almaty. The real spirit of Onam festival emphasizes togetherness, cultural preservation, generosity, a prosperous new beginning, bringing people together to share in joy. 

Therefore Onam is more than just a festival; it is the beating heart of Kerala’s culture. It is a timeless story that transcends borders, a story of welcome, harmony, and bountiful harvest. It is the spirit of King Mahabali, whose reign reminds us that a society’s true wealth lies in its equality, prosperity, and compassion. These are universal values that resonate deeply, whether on the shores of the Arabian Sea or in the foothills of the Trans-Ili Alatau.

Today, as we gather to witness the magnificent pookalam and prepare to share the grand onasadya, we do more than just observe a tradition. We recreate a piece of our beloved God’s Own Country here in Kazakhstan. This celebration is a beautiful testament to your dedication to preserving our rich heritage and passing it on to the next generation, even while being thousands of kilometers away from home.

Dear brothers and sisters your contribution is far greater preserving your cultural identity. You, the vibrant Malayalee community, are also magnificent ambassadors of India. Through your hard work, professionalism, and warm spirit, you have woven yourselves into the social and cultural fabric of Kazakhstan. You build bridges of friendship and understanding between our two great nations every single day. For this, I extend my deepest gratitude to each and every one of you.

The relationship between India and Kazakhstan is one of deep-rooted friendship and strategic partnership, strengthened by historical links and a shared vision for the future. And you, our Indian community here, are the living, breathing embodiment of this partnership.

As your Ambassador, my team and I at the Embassy are committed to supporting you and serving as your home away from home. Please consider us your partners in your journey here.

On this auspicious day, let us celebrate not just the home we have left behind, but also the new home we have built here in Kazakhstan, surrounded by our kazakh brothers and sisters as well as riends and well-wishers.

Let the spirit of Onam fill your hearts with happiness and your homes with prosperity.

Wishing you all a joyous and blessed Onam!

Onashamsakal & Rahmeit.