One can understand Indians in India marching or protesting against British rule. But organising the same in London, singlehandedly, fighting the lion in its own den is unheard of and unthinkable; but this is what Krishna Menon did. The Institute wishes to focus more importantly on how Krishna Menon was a role model for an Indian immigrant living outside India. Krishna Menon was dedicated and selfless. He identified with the people around him and their needs, without forgetting his roots. He was proud to be Indian in England but wanted to be a part of the community where he lived. He fought for equality, social and economic justice.
At the Palace of Westminster, Dr. Cyriac Maprayil, Executive Director of the VK Krishna Menon Institute stated, “Krishna Menon took on himself the Herculean task of educating the British people about India and the need to grant independence to India without further delay. He liaised, interacted, and lobbied the British parliamentarians of all persuasions to support Indian independence from Britain.”
The Institute sees no difference between the ideas and ideals that went into the making of VK Krishna Menon and Benni Joseph Mavelil. Therefore, the Institute has decided to confer the award to Benni Joseph Mavelil, President of UK Knanaya Catholic Community and Philanthropist.
Benni Joseph Mavelil said, “I thank Dr. Maprayil and the Institute for choosing me for the award. VKKM was a statesman who symbolised all that is good in Indian values, diplomacy, leadership and service to the society at large”. He added: “People of Indian origin in Europe as a whole is growing and changing. The VKKM Institute is the type of NGO which plays its part in building lasting links between the Diaspora and India”.
