Legislators Recognize Indian Heritage Month

The Rockland County Legislature recognized the many valuable contributions of Rev. Mathew Thomas, Abhineet Jha, Alka Shah and Joseph Vaniapillil during an Indian Heritage Month celebration led by Legislature Vice Chairwoman Dr. Aney Paul.

“Our honorees are not only accomplished in their professional and personal lives but also devoted to bettering the lives of others through many volunteer activities,” Legislature Vice Chairwoman Dr. Aney Paul said. “Each is truly worthy of being recognized, and I thank them for their contributions to Rockland County and beyond.”

Honorees were presented with a Distinguished Service Award, the County Legislature’s highest honor. Legislator Paul was joined at the podium by Legislator Toney Earl, with other legislators taking their seats at the dais.

Piyush Singh, Consul (Political, Press, Information & Culture), who represented Binaya Srikanta Pradhan, Consul General of India in New York, also participated in the program.
The program included a beautiful performance by members of the Padma Indian Dance Studio, including dancers Shannara Sam, Amyra Mathai, Olivia John and Emilia Abraham under the direction of teachers Mary Alina Vettichira-Mathew and Justin John.

Fr. Mathew Thomas has devoted over 30 years to serving both his congregation and the broader community with compassion and commitment. After immigrating to the U.S. in 1976, he worked as a clinical scientist for nearly three decades before being ordained in the Malankara Orthodox Church in 1996. Since 2002, he has served as vicar of St. Mary’s Orthodox Church, now based at the Tolstoy Foundation Center in Rockland County.

In 2009, he led the church’s first bone marrow and blood drive – an initiative that grew into an annual Thanksgiving tradition supported by the Joint Council of Churches of Rockland. A certified chaplain, he also volunteers at marine terminals at Port Newark and delivers meals to seniors through Meals on Wheels.

Fr. Mathew is known for his community outreach, youth ministry leadership, and efforts to provide food, clothing, and financial aid to those in need. He lives in Valley Cottage with his wife, Mary Mathew.

Abhineet Jha is a seasoned technology executive and dedicated community leader with over 20 years of experience in IT consulting and business development. For more than a decade, he has actively served the Indian American and Hindu communities across Rockland and Westchester counties.

As Past President of the India Cultural Society of Rockland, he has led key initiatives including Indian Heritage Month recognition in New York State, youth mentorship programs, and large-scale cultural festivals. His volunteerism spans multiple organizations – including Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh, Ekal Vidyalaya, BJANA, and Jeevan Jyothi – where he works to foster cultural pride, interfaith understanding, and social impact.

Through his advocacy, interfaith outreach, and grassroots leadership, he continues to promote inclusion and cultural harmony. He holds advanced degrees in commerce, business administration, and software technology.

Alka Shah was born in Uran, Maharashtra, and has lived in Rockland County since 1985, balancing multiple roles with grace and determination – as a mother, medical office manager, and community volunteer. For 37 years, she has served as the office manager of her husband’s medical practice while raising two children, both of whom are now practicing physicians in New York.

She is president of the India Cultural Society of Rockland and has spent nearly four decades supporting local and global causes. She has volunteered with Seva International, Healing House Ministries, and Gates of Praise Church, organizing food drives and supporting soup kitchens. During the COVID-19 crisis, she and her husband, Dr. Vikram Shah, provided meals to frontline nursing staff busy caring for over 180 elderly patients.
In 2023, the couple opened a charitable clinic and mobile medical unit in Mumbai, while continuing to support the Sankara Eye Foundation with annual donations of mobile eye care vans. As ICSR president, Alka has introduced new cultural programs and remains a driving force in preserving and promoting Indian heritage.

Joseph Vaniapillil has been a tireless advocate for youth empowerment and cultural education for over four decades. After immigrating to Westchester County in 1980 and later settling in Rockland County in 1986, he quickly became a respected leader in the Indian American community.

Joseph held key leadership roles in the Westchester Malayalee Association, including President, and continued his service through the Hudson Valley Malayalee Association (HVMA). As a longtime volunteer teacher and later principal of the HVMA Malayalam School, he championed cultural preservation and helped launch a youth leadership training program. He also played a pivotal role in establishing the Annual Youth Festival and HVMA’s Malayalam library.

Beyond cultural initiatives, Joseph has supported numerous charitable efforts – from food and blood drives to community outreach. He served as Chairman of the Board of Trustees for the India Catholic Association of America and Co-Chair of the Syro Malabar Catholic Convention of the U.S. At his local Indian parish, he led the Mary Matha Malayalam School, fostering language education and cultural pride among youth.

Now retired from New York City Transit, Joseph lives in Congers with his wife, children, and grandchildren, and continues to be a source of inspiration in the community.