Mumbayile Malayali Prathibhakal is a regular feature of Kerala in Mumbai, dedicated to celebrating the lives, achievements, and enduring contributions of Malayalees who have distinguished themselves in Mumbai through talent, dedication, perseverance, and hard work.
For decades, members of the Malayali community have played a significant role in shaping the social, cultural, educational, and economic landscape of Mumbai. Their contributions span diverse fields such as literature, arts, music, cinema, business, education, science, social service, sports, and public life. Their journeys of commitment and excellence continue to inspire generations and remain a source of pride for the community.
Through this feature, Kerala in Mumbai seeks to document and honour these remarkable personalities by sharing their stories of achievement, resilience, service, and leadership, thereby preserving an important chapter in the collective memory of Mumbai’s Malayali community.
In this edition of Mumbaiyile Malayali Prathibhakal, we are proud to present Dr. P. J. Aprain, a distinguished social scientist and tireless advocate for harmony, peace, education and social empowerment. His inspiring journey, marked by a deep commitment to public service and community welfare, was featured in the Kerala in Mumbai magazine October 2014 issue.
Born in Muttar village in Kuttanad, Dr. Aprain completed his schooling in his village and graduated from St. Berchman’s College, Changanacherry. He joined the Central Government service while pursuing his M.A. in Economics at S.B. College, but later made the courageous decision to resign from the Customs Department and dedicate himself to social work and empowerment through education. His years in Customs included a notable posting as Air Customs Officer at Sahar International Airport, and his experiences during this period, along with his association with spiritual and social leaders, strengthened his desire to work for society.
The communal riots of 1992 deeply disturbed Dr. Aprain and prompted him to take concrete steps towards restoring Mumbai’s secular and harmonious character. This led to the establishment of the International Society for Harmony and Peace (INSHARP) in 1993, with education and introspection for harmony among its major objectives. As a founder member and Executive Vice President, Dr. Aprain played an active role in organising symposiums, lectures, discussions and seminars on national unity, peace and security.
His commitment to education and research is equally noteworthy. In 1997, he undertook a research project on the contemporary educational system and the role of education in promoting peace and harmony. More than 300 college principals responded to the survey, highlighting the need for a University of Harmony and Peace. His academic journey eventually led to a doctorate, with the article also highlighting his research interests in Economics, Education and Security through an integrated approach.
Dr. Aprain’s vision extends beyond advocacy and research into practical community development. Through INSHARP, initiatives have included projects aimed at creating farm clubs, promoting organic cultivation and developing village BPOs that could provide employment opportunities for rural youth. He has also been associated with Karunya Trust, where he serves as founder trustee and Executive Secretary. Established under the Diocese of Kalyan, the Trust works towards communal harmony, education and the rehabilitation of children through centres spread across Maharashtra.His contribution to society has been recognised through several honours, including a Certificate of Honour for promoting peace and harmony from the World Conference on Safety Science in Cologne, Germany. He has also been associated with organisations including the Indian Planetary Society, Red Cross Society and Lions Club International, and has served as President of the Hiranandani Keralite Association, reflecting his active engagement with Mumbai’s Malayali community.
Beyond his public life, Dr. Aprain’s story is also rooted in family and community values. His wife, Omana Aprain, has been actively involved in social work and community activities. Together, they have been involved in initiatives that reflect their shared belief in caring, giving and leading a meaningful life. Their family has also remained connected with entrepreneurship, education and social engagement.
We hope this regular feature will serve as a meaningful platform to acknowledge and celebrate the outstanding Malayalees of Mumbai whose professional achievements, social commitment, community involvement and dedication to the values of harmony and service have enriched both the Malayali community and the city they proudly call home.Similarly WRITE FOR PJ Mathew
In this edition of Mumbaiyile Malayali Prathibhakal, we are proud to present P. J. Mathew, a successful businessman, philanthropist, educationist and passionate follower of Mahatma Gandhi. His inspiring life and remarkable contributions were featured in the Kerala in Mumbai magazine in its April 2012 issue, under the title “Successful Businessman, Greater Gandhian.”
P. J. Mathew began his career in Mumbai as a partner in an Industrial and Security Detective Agency and went on to build Mathew International, a group of companies involved in overseas recruitment, manufacturing, real estate and other business ventures. Over the years, his organisation grew into one of the country’s major placement agencies, helping place more than 250,000 people in jobs abroad. His professional journey also included work connected with the Gulf region, and Mathew International became known for providing trained and experienced personnel to meet the requirements of international companies.
Yet, beyond his achievements in business, what truly distinguishes P. J. Mathew is his deep commitment to Gandhian philosophy and social service. The article describes him as a philanthropist, educationist and a man dedicated to the greater good. A lifelong admirer of Mahatma Gandhi, Mathew pursued higher education in Gandhian studies, earning a Master’s degree in Gandhism from Kamraj University, Madurai. He has expressed his desire to devote more time to teaching Gandhian ideals, promoting social service and strengthening goodwill and trust among communities.
His social involvement extends across several organisations and community initiatives. Mathew has served as Vice President of the South Indian Gandhian Association, President of the Kerala Catholic Association, and Vice President of the World Malayalee Council. He has also been associated with the Malayalee Chamber of Commerce and an international school construction project in Mumbai. His vision for education is particularly significant, with the article highlighting his efforts towards creating an educational institution inspired by Gandhian ideals and designed to prepare the next generation.
P. J. Mathew’s commitment to philanthropy is also reflected in his approach to trusteeship, a central concept in Gandhi’s philosophy. Even as he continued to lead Mathew International, he increasingly sought to dedicate his time and resources to ventures aligned with Gandhian dreams and social welfare. The article also introduces his family, including his wife Maria and sons Joseph and Thomas, who have pursued their own professional and educational paths.
We hope this regular feature will continue to serve as a meaningful platform to acknowledge and celebrate the remarkable Malayalees of Mumbai whose professional achievements, philanthropy, community involvement and commitment to social values have made a lasting contribution to society. P. J. Mathew’s journey stands as an inspiring example of how business success can go hand in hand with service, education, compassion and the ideals of Gandhian trusteeship.