The World Malayalee Council (WMC), which has a global presence in 78 provinces, inducted a new leadership team for its 2025–2027 term, recently in Sharjah. At the swearing-in ceremony, senior journalist Isaac John Pattaniparambil, working in the Gulf, took charge as the WMC’s global chairman. Currently managing editor with Khaleej Times, Pattaniparambil led the council from 2012 to 2018. This is his second stint, establishing his involvement with WMC.

Baby Mathew Somatheeram has been elected as global president of WMC. A tourism entrepreneur from Kerala, Somatheeram is known for his business venture Somatheeram Resorts.

Sasi Nadakkal from Kollam took charge as vice president.

Moosa Koya from Al Khobar was sworn in as general secretary, Thomas Chellath from Dallas as treasurer, and Johnny Kuruvilla from Muscat as global goodwill ambassador.

The Women’s Forum will be led by Esther Isaac, with Anni Palliyath and Jameela Gulam taking charge as secretary and treasurer, respectively.

The ceremony in Sharjah saw the participation of former Kerala home minister Ramesh Chennithala, former diplomat T.P. Sreenivasan, ex-chief secretary P.H. Kurian, and MLA Sanjeev Joseph. – editor@nrifocus.com