GARSHOM PRAVASI RATNA AWARD 2020

Mr V J MATHEW There is a star that rose above the volcanic mountains and coal fields of Indonesia - VJ Mathew from Kerala. Hailing from the pristine village of Paisakkari at Payyavoor in Kannur, Mr Mathew heads the operations of his coal mining companies in Indonesia.

Mr Mathew had a humble start in 1994 as an employee in a garment company. Excelling in various fields he tested his mettle, he flew to Indonesia to become a logistics manager. Completing five years of his tenure in the company SaiNath Industries in Indonesia, he joined PT Kaltim Global, a coal mining company, as the head of logistics. Later, when the owners decided to sell this company, Mr VJ Mathew took over it.

Mr VJ Mathew, a Malayali, is very proud of the fact that all the coal shipped by PT Kaltim Global Company is delivered to meet the energy needs of the motherland India. 500 truckloads of coal arrive at the Indonesian port from PT Kaltim Global daily for shipment to India.

Mr VJ Mathew popularly known as Benny Vazhapilli is the president of the Miners Association, which includes mining companies of North Bengkulu Province, Indonesia. Mr VJ Mathew, a great philanthropist, also has the honor of being the first foreigner to occupy this position. He is an executive committee member of the India Club, an association of Indian organizations in Indonesia. Mr VJ Mathew, the president of Kerala Samajam Indonesia, which has about 200 families as members, represented Indonesia in the last three Loka Kerala Sabhas.