KELI

A Socio-Cultural Organisation of Indians in Switzerland

It was a beginning at the end of the 90's when a handful of individuals with similar ideas and common interests joined together and founded KELI as a socio-cultural organization of Indians in Switzerland with the intention of upholding the Indian values, International relationship and goodwill.

KELI, as laid down in its constitution, is a non-profitable, non-sectarian, non-political organization officially recognized and registered in Switzerland . All the activities of KELI are controlled and regulated by an elected executive body and validated by the general body annually. KELI was officially inaugurated by Shri. M.R. Venu I.F.S. (First Secretary, permanent Mission of India, Geneve) on 24th October 1998 in Zurich .

Indeed, it was the birth of a genuine brotherhood knit together by mutual consideration, teamwork, social awareness, and respect to the rich cultural heritage of the motherland.

Today, Keli has earned the respect of the entire world by winning the prestigious GARSHOM Award 2009 as the best Pravasi Organization and positioned itself high in the society. This achievement is earned through the dedicated and unrelenting activities of not only of the 120 member families, but scores of Indians living in Switzerland and in neighbouring countries by participating in Keli's activities for the human society around the world. Also to mention is the participation of numerous dignitaries and personalities who cooperated with Keli by sharing the stages at various occasions. Some important names to mentions are those of Padmashri Dr. K.J. Jesudas, Padmishri late Sri. Kunnakudi Vaidhyanathan, Padmashri Alamer Valli, Padmashri Dhanandjayan, Sri M.T. Vasudevan Nair, Shri M.G. Sreekumar, cine stars Jayaram, Shobhana, Sukumari, Sukanya, and many other versatile artists through the stages of Soorya India Festivals and other events.

Keli's services to the society have grown into diverse fields. In the educational field Keli conducts language classes, personality development seminars and workshops, and runs a library – the first of its kind amongst Pravasi Diaspora. In the cultural field, Keli is organizing the biggest Pravasi youth festival in the world every year, conducted a Pravasimela at Kochi in 2009, serves as the first chapter of Soorya India Festivals in Europe , celebrates Onam Festival since 11 years, and stages variety cultural stage shows regularly. In the social field, Keli has contributed to charity activities in Kerala for about one crore rupees in 11 years by investing into various housing projects and helping during natural calamites, runs the renowned Kinder for Kinder project where children in Switzerland sponsor poor children in India and cover all their educational expenses throughout their basic education. Above all, Keli serves as the platform for social interaction for the Pravasi Community in Switzerland and enables individuals and families to get together and make cultural exchanges and pass their traditions from generations to generations. In our efforts, we team with renowned organizations and authorities like the Embassy of India in Bern , Deepika News Media, Chancellor Watches and Soorya India .