CHENGANNUR, KERALA – While thousands of miles separate New York from the lush landscapes of Kerala, for George Abraham, the distance is easily bridged by a sense of civic duty. The former United Nations official has once again completed a transcontinental journey to his home constituency of Chengannur to exercise his franchise in the Kerala Assembly elections.
For Abraham, this is no routine trip. It is a deeply personal mission to participate in the democratic process of a country he still calls home, despite having lived abroad for 58 years.
“It is a sentiment for my motherland and a passion for the very idea of India,” Abraham said shortly after casting his ballot. “I often wonder why people like me had to leave this incredible land, so rich in natural beauty and heritage, to build lives elsewhere. I have exercised my democratic right, and I hope this small act contributes to keeping the spirit of democracy alive.”
A Life of Global Service and Political Passion
Abraham’s professional pedigree is as distinguished as his political commitment. He served a 36-year tenure at the United Nations, eventually retiring as the Chief Technology Officer of the UN Pension Fund. However, his professional success in the United States never dimmed his interest in Indian politics—a passion sparked during his teenage years in Kerala.
In 1967, Abraham served as the State Treasurer of the All Kerala Balajana Sakhyam, a prominent youth organization under the Malayala Manorama banner. He credits his mentor, the late Pala K.M. Mathew, for shaping the political consciousness that would eventually lead him to organize the Indian diaspora on a global scale.
The Architect of the Indian Overseas Congress
Recognizing a need for a unified platform for Congress supporters abroad, Abraham co-founded the Indian Overseas Congress (IOC) in the United States in 1998 alongside veteran Congress worker John Philipose Thengumcherry. The organization, which received a formal boost during a visit by the late Oommen Chandy, was officially recognized in 2001 at a landmark New York event attended by senior leaders including Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh and Sonia Gandhi.
Today, the IOC has expanded to more than 30 countries. Abraham remains a pivotal figure in the organization, currently serving as Vice-Chairman of IOC USA and Global Coordinator of its IT and Social Media wing. His decades of service were recently honored by Rahul Gandhi, who presented Abraham with a Lifetime Achievement Award during his 2023 visit to New York.
A Message to the Diaspora
Beyond the ballot box, Abraham views the diaspora’s engagement as a moral imperative. He believes that the 35 million Indians living abroad have a vested interest in the health of India’s democracy.
“It is essential that we uphold the democratic and secular fabric of India,” Abraham noted. “Without that, Indians living abroad would have little moral standing when advocating for justice, equality, and religious freedom globally.”
As Abraham prepares for his return to the U.S., his journey serves as a reminder that for the Indian diaspora, the act of voting is more than a legal right—it is a reaffirmation of identity and a belief in the enduring promise of Indian democracy.
