Keralite Aney Paul holds crucial post in the US

Kochi: Dr Aney Paul, who was born and brought up at Kalloorkad in Kerala is now popular in New York. She is a powerful leader of the Democratic Party and has been elected as a legislator from Rockland county for the third time. Aney was also chosen as the vice chairperson of the county. Dedicated social activities along with her professional nursing duties earned Aney all these honours.

Aney studied at St Augustine’s School in Kalloorkad and Nirmala College before heading to Delhi to join a nursing course in 1971. She subsequently worked as a nurse in Delhi for seven years. During this time, Aney received the award for the best nurse in the country from the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.

Later, she went to the US in 1982 along with her husband, Augustine Paul. In the US, Aney became active in the health and social sectors. She also worked hard to bring Keralites and other Indians together.

When Aney had arrived in the US, she possessed only a diploma in nursing. But there, she soon earned a degree in health administration and a post-graduation in public health from New York Medical College. Later, she acquired another post-graduate degree in nursing and paediatric nurse practitioner. This was followed by a doctor of nursing practice.

While she pursued all these courses, Aney continued to work as a nurse and engaged in social activities which earned her several awards, including that of the American Association of Nursing Practitioners.

Meanwhile, Aney founded the Indian Nurses’ Association in New York and took the lead in setting up the National Indian Nurses Association. She now heads the National Indian Nursing Practitioners Association also. Another distinction that came Aney’s way was being elected as the first president of Malayali Association.

After these achievements, Aney entered politics under the banner of the Democratic Party and she was elected as a legislator for the first time in 2011. As Rockland county legislator vice chairperson, Aney now has under jurisdiction five cities, 19 villages and 15 mayors. The budget of Rockland county amounts to US Dollars one billion.

Aney’s efforts are well recognized in New York and she was elected as the vice-president with the support of 16 of the 17 legislative members. She engages in unique tasks like adopting roads and neighbourhoods in order to keep them clean.

Aney is now visiting her brother Aloysius at his house in Eroor, Vytilla but wishes to come to Kerala every year. The Aney - Augustine couple has three daughters, Marina, Shabana and Natasha.

Ask her about Kerala politicians, Aney says, “They need to be a little more disciplined.”