Indian-Australian entrepreneur Rejimon Punchayil has been recognised for his work in assistive technology and community service, receiving a Community Impact Award from NSW Premier Chris Minns at the Sydney Malayalee Association’s Golden Jubilee celebration.
Punchayil, who moved to Australia in 2007, received the award before an audience of about 1,200 people at the association’s 50th anniversary event. Also attending were Prospect MP Hugh McDermott, Liverpool MP Charishma Kaliyanda, former association presidents and community representatives.
The recognition marks a journey that has taken Punchayil from his education and early career in India to international business and, eventually, the development of an Australian company focused on helping older people, veterans and people living with disability maintain their independence.
Punchayil is the founder and owner of Karis Life, an assistive technology business that works with occupational therapists, aged-care providers, rehabilitation services, veterans, NDIS participants and families across NSW.
The origins of that work can be traced to an encounter shortly after he arrived in Australia.
Punchayil spent several hours helping an elderly woman who had become lost in a shopping centre car park. The experience left him thinking about the practical barriers that can make people dependent on others as they grow older or live with disability.
He subsequently acquired a small assistive technology business and developed it into Karis Life, building its work around equipment, clinical collaboration and personalised support for people seeking to remain mobile and independent.
His activities have since extended beyond the company.
Punchayil has written and spoken about healthy ageing, accessibility, falls prevention and assistive technology, and has been involved in community seminars through the Live Life Better program. He has also supported professional development programs for occupational therapists.
The Community Impact Award also recognises work extending beyond Australia.
Punchayil has supported kidney dialysis projects in Kerala and contributed to efforts to recycle assistive technology equipment for communities in Fiji. More recently, he has been involved in mentoring First Nations young people and exploring ways to improve access to assistive technology in regional and remote Australian communities.
His story reflects a less visible part of the Indian-Australian business experience, where migrant entrepreneurship has increasingly moved beyond traditional small business sectors into specialised industries servicing Australia’s health, disability and ageing populations.
For Punchayil, that commercial path has remained closely connected to the circumstances that first drew him towards the sector. The philosophy outlined in his award citation is that compassion, knowledge and innovation can help people live with greater dignity, independence and opportunity.
Receiving the award at the Sydney Malayalee Association’s Golden Jubilee also carried a connection to Punchayil’s own migrant story, almost two decades after he made Australia home.
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