MANAMA — The Bahrain Keraliya Samajam (BKS) hosted a warm farewell ceremony for veteran community member Mr A. V. Balakrishnan and his wife, marking the conclusion of their remarkable 51-year expatriate journey in the Kingdom of Bahrain. The couple is returning to India to settle permanently in Thrissur, Kerala.
Arriving in Bahrain in the early 1970s, Shri Balakrishnan was an active and influential figure during the formative years of the socio-cultural landscape of the Indian diaspora. He played a pivotal role in the early initiatives of the Bahrain Keraliya Samajam and was a dedicated member of the Indian School Parents’ Association.
Professionally, Shri Balakrishnan served with distinction at the Bahrain Petroleum Company (Bapco) before later lending his expertise to a specialized project under the Public Works Department.
During the farewell event, BKS President Mr P. V. Radhakrishna Pillai praised Balakrishnan’s decades of dedicated community service and leadership, presenting him with a special commemorative gift on behalf of the Samajam.
BKS General Secretary Mr Varghese Karakkal also addressed the gathering, extending his warmest wishes to the couple for a peaceful, healthy, and happy retired life back home.
The couple leaves behind a proud legacy in the Gulf, while their two sons continue their own professional careers in Bangalore, India.