Cork-based volunteer and UCC lab technical officer honoured by Indian communities

A CORK-based lab technical officer from UCC’s School of Microbiology has been recognised with a prestigious award honouring her work in the community.

Dr Lekha Menon Margassery, who is also the director of Aatma Indian Dance Troupe, said she was delighted to receive the Person of the Year award from the Confederation of Indian Communities in Ireland. 

The accolade marked an event in Dublin celebrating India’s 75th Republic day. The national holiday is celebrated every year in India on January 26 to commemorate the adoption of the constitution of India and the country’s transition to a republic, which came into effect back in 1950.

Lekha’s work as a stalwart volunteer has taken numerous forms over the years.

She has been lauded particularly in her capacity as president of the World Malayalee Council’s Cork unit. 

Formed in 2012, the division provides a non-political forum linking members of the Malayalee/Kerala community in Cork. Its aim is to promote culture and a traditional way of life.

Lekha was presented with the award by Akhilesh Mishra, Indian ambassador to Ireland, and Dublin West senator Emer Currie.

Some of the volunteer’s work during the covid pandemic included helping people stuck indoors and unable to access medicine during an extremely challenging time for Cork’s healthcare sector.

Lekha said she finds strengthening integration in the community particularly rewarding.

“The team helps people settle in Cork through tasks like finding accommodation.

“If they are having visa issues, we try to guide them accordingly. In my work in UCC I try to guide students in the School of Microbiology and teach them about the importance of equality and diversity in our community as well as how we need to respect each other. I also promote Indian culture through my dance group.”

She spoke about her work facilitating cultural exchanges.

“We try to breed Indian culture in the community as much as possible in the community so everyone knows about it. Promoting cultural exchanges between communities is also part of the work we do.” 

The UCC lab technical officer said her family and friends have been very supportive.

“My husband has been a really good support to me, especially since what I’m doing leaves me with less time to spend with him.”