Emerging Kerala Global Connect Coffee Table Book

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ponsor

S Presenting

Destination Kerala Recipe of Kerala’s overarching success in all spheres

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ponsor

S Presenting

Destination Kerala Recipe of Kerala’s overarching success in all spheres

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Editorial Board Presenting Editor Sam Pitroda

Chief Editor K Jayakumar, IAS

Executive Editor Shaffi Mather

Editorial Liaison & PR P T Chacko

Managing Editor & Publisher Ravi Deecee

Project Initiation

People for Global Transformation Rajiv Gandhi Institute for Development Studies & DC Books

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Editor’s Note

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cknowledging the developmental imperatives of the new millennium and the utmost urgency for more meaningful and intense social, economic, political, diplomatic and cultural engagements with the international community, Kerala has laid the foundation for a vibrant, interactive global platform through the ‘Emerging Kerala Global Connect 2012’. This would be a forum to share ideas, remove apprehensions, explore possibilities and establish relationships.

The creation of this platform is a watershed in the development history of Kerala.

Never was it more opportune and easy to become the direct stakeholders and ambassadors of the State’s strategic growth initiatives. This unique conclave aims to foster serious dialogue on the dimensions of growth as well as facilitates investment and partnership.

As part of this event, we are launching ‘Destination Kerala: Recipe of Kerala’s overarching success in all spheres’, a coffee table book, that celebrates the achievements of the State and the contributions of 100 distinguished personalities who have made the State proud in the national and international fora.

We owe our deepest gratitude to His Excellency the President of India Shri Pranab Mukherjee for his valuable message to the participants of the summit. Through insightful, powerful commentaries by the State’s Mentor Shri Sam Pitroda, Finance Minister Shri K M Mani, Industries & IT Minister Shri P K Kunhalikutty and senior Government officials, the book harks back to the revolutionary social, economic, cultural, and political beginnings and transformations of the State that moulded an allencompassing mission of social and economic empowerment. The book also features some of the top business houses and companies from the State that are riding the crest of change and innovation. The Book has been produced by DC Books, one of India’s most respected and leading publishing houses.

We sincerely hope that this book will be a great source of information on the State’s avowed objectives to usher in a new wave of purposeful change.

K Jayakumar Chief Editor 7

About Destination Kerala Recipe of Kerala’s overarching success in all spheres Project Co-ordination

DC Media, Kochi – 682 035

Head - Response M Kumar

Editorial

T N Shaji Sanjeev Neelakantan Dipin Damodharan Sumithra Sathyan

Marketing

P M Anu Kainakari Shibu Rajasree Varma K S Syam Kumar Biju P Alex Bipin Kumar V S Febin K Francis

Design

Syama Mukundan Anil P John

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Publisher’s Note

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n overwhelming response to the Emerging Kerala Global Connect 2012 has prompted the Government of Kerala to think of this volume - Destination Kerala: Recipe of Kerala’s overarching success in all spheres. DC Books is happy to associate with the Government in conceiving and publishing the special volume on Kerala. A discussion on such a volume was initiated by Sam Pitroda, Mentor to State of Kerala, and Shaffi Mather, Economic Advisor to the Chief Minister. The Editorial Team decided to christen the volume as Destination Kerala, simply because Kerala in all sense is a true destination for investment, for fine living, and for holiday. With a high percentage of literacy, communication covering the entire breadth of Kerala with excellent infrastructure, water ways & ports, air connectivity, employability of its manpower, health system at par with the Western world, public distribution system being one of the most structured, natural resource in abundance, high penetration of educational institutions, and the nature blessed with green cover, there is no better place than Kerala. Kerala has one of the highest skilled workforce in the world, contributing to the development of places like the Middle East, Europe, and the USA. The literature, art, culture and heritage of Kerala have fascinated people across the globe. Kerala is often compared to the developed nations of the world for these reasons.

The Portuguese, Arabs, Chinese, Dutch, British and others have a history of early trade with Kerala, which had commercial relations with the Assyrians and Babylonians as early as third century BC. With the spice trade being the main activity, the term ‘globalisation’ is something Kerala was introduced to hundreds of years back. The time is ripe for a greater engagement with the global audience which will prove Kerala is rightly positioned globally to benefit from the opportunities of research,

experimentation, innovation, and enhancing value in exchanges with progressive human enterprises and nations of the world.

Destination Kerala takes you to the unique features of the state. President of India Shri Pranab Mukherjee has blessed this volume with his wishes. Chief Minister Shri Oommen Chandy talks about his vision on Kerala’s development, with insights into industry, economy, and investment opportunities by Industries & IT Minister P K Kunhalikutty and Finance Minister K M Mani. Sam Pitroda, Chief Secretary K Jayakumar, IAS, the Chief Editor of Destination Kerala, K M Chandrashekar, Vice-Chairman, Planning Board, Tarun Das, Member, Planning Board, Somasundaram, IAS, Principal Secretary, Industries, and Alkesh Kumar, IAS, MD of KSIDC, have contributed to this volume. P T Chacko, Press Secretary to the Chief Minister, functioned as editorial liaison for Destination Kerala. Though we could name at least a 1000 personalities who are changemakers, the editorial board has selected 100 living personalities as representatives of the Malayalee community. This volume also functions as a guide to some of the most promising organisations of Kerala.

Let me express my gratitude to the contributors, the editorial team, the State Bank of India for being the presenting sponsor, and the organisations and industries who have come forward to make the project a grand success.

I hope Destination Kerala will help you gain a rich insight on the state.

Happy reading!

Ravi Deecee Managing Editor & Publisher

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The winning team...

COUNCIL OF MINISTERS, GOVT OF KERALA

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Message MESSAGE

I am happy to learn that the Government of Kerala is organizing the “Emerging Kerala Global Connect 2012 Summit” on September 12-13, 2012 and in this connection bringing out a book on Kerala which will showcase the state’s growth potential to the national and international community.

The Summit will be a good occasion to draw the attention of investors from across India and the world to the opportunities that exist in Kerala. I am glad the book will showcase the 100 top industries of Kerala and also feature Kerala’s unique socio-cultural history, its trading past as well as eminent personalities from all walks of life. I am confident that efforts such as this will help Kerala achieve rapid industrial development and provide increased employment avenues for its people.

On this occasion, I extend my warm greetings and felicitations to the State Government and all participants. I wish this initiative all success.

(Pranab Mukherjee) New Delhi August 23, 2012

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About Destination Kerala Recipe of Kerala’s overarching success in all spheres Publishers

DC Books (P) Ltd Kottayam 686 001 Kerala, India www.dcbooks.com Mail: info@dcmedia.in Online: www.dcbookshop.net

Printed in India

At DC Press (P) Ltd, Kottayam – 686 012 ISBN 978-81-264-3632-3 DC BOOKS – The first Indian Book Publishing House to get ISO Certification Rs 1000 $ 39.95 Copyright @ 2012 DC Books (P) Ltd All rights reserved. No part of this book shall be reproduced or transmitted by any means without written permission from the publisher.

Disclaimer Every effort has been made to make this book as complete and as accurate as possible, but no warranty of fitness is implied. The information provided is on an “as is” basis. The authors and the publisher shall have neither liability nor responsibility to any person or entity with respect to any loss or damages arising from the information contained in this book.

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Contents 1. Aiming to be a global hub of economic activities

Oommen Chandy 2. Come, let’s make a great start

P K Kunhalikutty 3. Brand new industrial plan on the horizon

K M Mani 4. Socio-Cultural History and Economic Development of Kerala

K Jayakumar, IAS 5. Ten potential growth sectors of Kerala

Sam Pitroda & Shaffi Mather 6. Economic and trade history of Kerala

K M Chandrasekhar 7. Kerala and its strategy for the future

Tarun Das 8. Kerala awaits a new dawn

Alkesh Kumar Sharma, IAS 9. Infrastructure projects of Kerala with a futuristic vision

V Somasundaram, IAS, & S Ramnath 10. Living Legends

100 Eminent Malayalees 11. Builders of the Future

Promising Organisations 12. Index of profiles

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Beginning a brand new era...

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Aiming to be a global hub of economic activities

By Oommen Chandy, Chief Minister of Kerala

Entrepreneurial vision for Kerala

Kerala has a plethora of opportunities that remain largely unexploited. We have gained a lot in the fields of education and healthcare. That is our strength. We have a balanced, educated, and fairly healthy population. But at the same time, we are far behind as far as infrastructure is concerned, when compared with other states like Karnataka. If proper infrastructure is in place, investments would flow in naturally. That would create more employment opportunities and help boost our economic growth.

The ‘Emerging Kerala Global Connect 2012’ is not merely aimed at attracting investments. First and foremost, we have to create adequate opportunities of engagement with the outside world in a meaningful way. The investment opportunities in our state have to be marketed in a better way. We have to showcase our potential before the world.

There was a misconception that we do not welcome investors and that we are not an investor-friendly state. Now, the scenario has undergone a complete change, with the working class, the political parties and all other stakeholders extending their unstinted cooperation and speaking in a single voice that they welcome more investments to the state. Now, the labour situation is also far better in Kerala as compared to other states. The loss of working days due to strikes in Kerala is the lowest in the country today. So, the government intends to make the best use of this congenial atmosphere by giving a fillip to the entrepreneurial ambitions within Kerala.

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Development dream for Kerala

The most important development dream of mine is to bring back our valuable human resources from foreign countries by providing them decent opportunities in their home state. They are all forced to go out of the state due to the dearth of opportunities here. Many of our people are struggling in alien places. It is quite baffling and disturbing that while Keralites are shining elsewhere, they couldn’t script similar successes back home. What may be the possible reasons? This may be because of the lack of the right entrepreneurial spirit. For instance, we are heavily dependent on other states for essential food items. That apart, we are not even concentrating on our strong points. Kerala is the land of coconut trees. But we have been a failure when it comes to production of coconuts. There are many supplementary industries surviving on the trade potential of this product. So, it is time for us to shed all kinds of negative attitudes and focus on our strengths.

Five important growth sectors of Kerala

The first sector is agriculture.

Kerala is basically an agrarian state.

We have to introduce a series of innovative initiatives to boost agriculture and attain self-sufficiency,

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with special focus on adoption of new technologies and organic methods. We also have to focus on production of value-added agro products. The second priority growth sector is tourism, followed by the IT and ITES sector, the service sector, and the infrastructure sector.

Expectations from the Emerging Kerala meet Kerala’s strength has always been its much-acclaimed human resource potential in multiple fields. We, therefore, intend to make judicious use of the human capital and promote an equitable growth model through sustainable resource utilisation to arrive at better indices of economic progress. Kerala is known for providing a high quality of living at relatively affordable costs, and this has helped us in checking the attrition rates.

Building on these foundations, the government will forge new partnerships with individuals and entities who can help us tap into the latent potential of the state for the larger benefit of all stakeholders. The government seeks to bring together the best minds from all walks of life. Once we generate pathbreaking ideas, they can be executed for the common good not only in Kerala, but also in the rest of the country and the world.

The main objective behind this event is to make Kerala a premier global hub of economic activities through the cultivation of strong and lasting relationships with the representatives of trade and industry, and statesmen and diplomats of foreign countries. Such relationships would help our industries in leveraging their inherent strengths.

Kerala as a model state

Our ultimate goal is to become a model state in the country in all respects. If we sincerely work towards this goal, we can certainly achieve it. Kerala is already creating a buzz around the globe.

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Come, let’s make a great start

By P K Kunhalikutty, Minister for Industries & IT, Govt of Kerala

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erala is on the threshold of radical changes in the domain of entrepreneurship. Our endeavours to turn Kerala into an entrepreneurial society come at a time when our indices of development in the health, education, and human resource sectors are not only keeping us ahead of other states, but also enabling us to match the progressive models of developed countries. Still, there is an urgent need to make best use of available resources and identify new growth areas.

At the same time, we are witnessing a good start in certain areas where our bold decisions and follow-up measures have made a huge difference. One such measure is the decision to open up the education sector to self-financing professional colleges in the state. It has helped us usher in a revolutionary change in a scenario where students from Kerala massively depended on other states to pursue professional courses.

As entrepreneurs, Keralites have been shining very well outside their state and even abroad. We should make sincere efforts to convince such enterprising Keralites to look at the growth potential in their home state. We have to create an investor-friendly atmosphere and encourage them to invest in Kerala. To attain this goal, we have to work hard and tap the potential of successful expatriates. Most of the

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propaganda about Kerala’s industrial scenario is negative and misleading. Contrary to this, recent statistics show that the loss of working days in Kerala’s industrial sector is a thing of the past. The time is ripe for us to capitalise on such positive trends. The efforts should not be limited to the immediate future. We should be able to generate an action plan that will sustain the investors’ interests on a long term basis.

That is the ultimate goal of the Emerging Kerala Global Connect 2012. It is an effort to showcase our state’s broad and forward-looking views on economy before the world.

Through Emerging Kerala, the state government aims to look beyond Kerala’s present achievements in terms of standards of living and social development indices. We are planning to take the state to the next stage, that of economic growth. We are working towards attaining a balanced and sustained industrial growth and turning Kerala into a global trade hub and investor-friendly state.

Emerging Kerala is not just another typical investors’ meet. It mainly aims to persuade the rest of the world about the scope and opportunities for investments in the state. By making this a biennial event, the state government will be providing ample opportunities for followup, reassessment and re-prioritisation of action plans.

We will be exploring investment opportunities in potentially lucrative projects, ideas, and technology. The meeting will give entrepreneurs from the state a chance to interact with industrialists from other parts of the country and abroad.

Kerala’s rapid urbanisation throws up both challenges and opportunities.

The state government is in the process of developing world class infrastructural facilities so as to boost industrial growth. Kerala has realised that basic amenities are a prerequisite to attract investments. The government will encourage private players, even foreign parties, to invest in development of primary facilities in tandem with global standards.

The global conclave, which will catapult the state into the thick of action in terms of international commerce, will be a milestone in our developmental journey. This meeting will create the largest-ever platform in the state for exchange of potent ideas, proposals, and perspectives.

Emerging Kerala is certainly not a one-off event. Sufficient measures have been taken to make sure that the event is a success. There will be a permanent secretariat that would be handling all kinds of suggestions and project proposals.

It will host sector-wise deliberations and discussions on policies, besides business-to-business and business-to-government meetings. The threeday conclave will witness a string of discussions

on various subjects that are central to Kerala.

Emerging Kerala will facilitate special sessions for expatriate Keralites. It will also host a technology exhibition. Organised by the Kerala Science, Technology and Environment Council, it will display the technological innovations of various academic and private institutions. It may be recalled that the ongoing 12th Five Year Plan (2012-17) places emphasis on commercialisation of regionally developed technological products through industrial incubators.

The scheduled visits of high-profile personalities from global centres of excellence have already heightened public interest. More than 1,600 delegates from 35 countries are attending the event. From Central and state ministers, to corporate leaders, senior government officials, top bureaucrats, diplomats, representatives of foreign trade missions, heads of financial institutions, leading economists, and technology experts, everyone will be in full attendance for this special gathering.

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Brand new industrial plan on the horizon

By K M Mani, Finance Minister, Govt of Kerala

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n the last two Budget Speeches, I pioneered a few dream projects to attend to some of the pressing requirements of our state. It includes the Kerala State Self Entrepreneur Development Mission (KSSEDM), the Employment Skill Development Scheme, the Karunya Benevolent Scheme, the Scheme for Waste Disposal at Source etc. KSSEDM aims to generate about a lakh direct job opportunities and another five lakh indirect jobs. It envisions to establish 10,000 joint venture entrepreneurial units, each consisting of a group of five youths. Under the design, professional industrial training will be imparted to about 50,000 candidates.

Kerala is set for a strategic makeover in the industrial realm, as an equal measure of stagnation and saturation is holding up growth in the service sector in the face of an imbalance caused by the absence of a mutual exchange mechanism between service-oriented players and manufacturing entities.

Kerala economy is faced with a developmental imbroglio owing to the concentration of more than 61 per cent employment in its service sector alone, and the lack of a growthcomplementing support structure. It results in diminishing returns in terms of output and job opportunities.

On the positive side, Kerala has access to vast raw materials and capital, a big posse of workforce of about 40 lakh unemployed people,

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and a rapidly growing curve of consumerism across sectors that helps expansion of the economy, the vigorous financial sector, and so on and so forth. Together, they seem to make a good recipe for industrialisation. If we engage the unemployed youngsters in a fruitful manner and ensure optimum utilisation of the available resources, the state can achieve better rates of growth on its economic front.

At the end of 2009-2010, 43.29 lakh unemployed youths got registered in the employment exchanges. Besides this, each year about 4.5 lakh students complete their education and set out on job hunts, whereas the job opportunities available in the public sector is about 25,000. It’s a reflection of the pressures on the economy. It is high time we pursue the global advantages of open economy to our benefit by ushering in a new era of industrialisation in our state.

It was in this backdrop that I pioneered a few dream projects, in the last two Budget Speeches, to attend to some of the pressing requirements of our state. It includes the Employment Skill Development Scheme, the Kerala State Self Entrepreneur Development Mission (KSSEDM), the Employment Skill Development Scheme, the Karunya Benevolent Scheme, the Scheme for Waste Disposal at Source etc.

The Employment Skill Development

Scheme visualises inculcation of more skills to the youth through specially designed programmes. It proposes the Additional Skill Acquisition Programme (ASAP), to be undertaken as part of higher secondary and degree level classes, and the Additional Skill Enhancement Programme (ASEP) for those who have finished their studies earlier.

Higher secondary and degree students who opt for the ASAP schemes can choose any employmentoriented course based on their aptitude. The courses will be approved by associations and institutions in the industrial sector. Degree students can achieve ‘dual’ degrees when they finish their studies. The scheme will be implemented first in government schools and colleges. Gradually, the scheme will be extended to the aided sector.

The ASEP scheme will be implemented through state employment exchanges. Thus, the employment exchanges of the state will transform into employment skill development centres instead of being registration centres for the unemployed. Continuous training schemes will be implemented with the co-operation of the National Skill Development Corporation of the Government of India. Earmarking of Rs 30 crore in the budget for this project well speaks of the resoluteness in it.

KSSEDM aims to generate about a lakh direct job opportunities and another five lakh indirect jobs for our youth. It envisions to establish 10,000 joint venture entrepreneurial units, each consisting of a group of five youths. Under the design, professional industrial training will be imparted to about 50,000 candidates. This project intends to achieve inclusive growth, distributed development, industrial advancement, enhanced gross domestic product (GDP), greater self-sufficiency, value addition to local resources, skill develop-

ment, better employment avenues at home, entrepreneurial thrust, a creative business culture, better social harmony, and creation of better aspirations among the educated youth.

This novel scheme proposes to inject entrepreneurial confidence into the youth of the state through a talent selection process based on aptitude and earnestness. We will provide them all the training facilities for their all-round development in a meticulous manner. Once they gain the requisite skills, they can avail of finance on easy terms from banks and financial institutions. The selected entrepreneurs will be given interestfree financial assistance up to 90 per cent of the project cost, with an upper loan limit of up to Rs 20 lakh.

Professional organisations such as the NABARD, the National Skill Development Corporation, and the Entrepreneurship Development Institute of India will impart quality training to the selected candidates. The project is designed in such a way that the entrepreneurs can avail of benefits from large and medium scale industries and projects including the Vallarpadam Container Terminal, Vizhinjam Port, Smart City, Kochi Metro Rail, the Coimbatore-Kochi Industrial Corridor etc. The project would also focus on less progressed rural areas, from where raw materials are procured. This will help in streamlining development in the rural sector. The mission, aimed to find a lasting solution to the disturbing problem of proliferation of unemployment among the educated youths in the state, will certainly set a new milestone and model in terms of development.

Kerala Financial Corporation (KFC) is the nodal agency for implementation of the mission.

As the Emerging Kerala Global Connect 2012 focusses on attracting internal as well as external

investments, KSSEDM will be directly serving the state’s economic interests by adding more to the existing entrepreneurial strength within the state and accelerating the prospects of further investment.

To attract more investors to the state, we will be extending them a package of incentives. The prospects for public-private partnership (PPP) have never been so promising. We are in need of collaborative efforts towards this brand new industrial initiative. One major hurdle before us is that of land acquisition. However, the government is determined to make all arrangements to provide land for all industrial purposes. Kerala will show the rest of the world that environmental concerns and developmental urges can go hand in hand, and there is no fundamental difference between the two. This, I believe, will showcase a new era in the developmental horizon of Kerala.

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Socio-Cultural History and Economic Development of Kerala

By K Jayakumar, IAS, Chief Secretary, Govt of Kerala

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n hindsight, history always reveals patterns.

While scanning the several social, cultural, religious and political changes that have swept Kerala in the past century, it becomes evident that ideas and movements that appeared as disconnected and isolated episodes are indeed part of a larger pattern. It would appear that Kerala society had to be cleansed of the religious and social distortions before any meaningful economic activity could flourish.

All these were in fact preparing the ground for major political and economic changes to come.

Without the first set of religious and social movements which broke the freeze, subsequent changes in the political and economic arena would not have been possible. History works with a design that we know not while being in the current.

Kerala society in the 19th century was severely regimented and stratified by considerations of castes and sub castes. The divisions and micro divisions that existed with their injunctions and penalty regime would appear today as nothing less than idiotic. The caste hierarchy was in fact an economic pyramid with the landed Brahmins and Nairs at the top.

There were strict norms of physical distance that every member belonging to one caste had to maintain from another. As per the Travancore Census of 1931, there were 77 main castes and 423 sub castes. It was this Kerala that

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Swami Vivekananda was forced to compare to a lunatic asylum.

Reforms became inevitable in this context of asphyxiating caste regimentation. At the centre of this reform movement was Sree Narayana Guru with a hitherto unseen social fervour, spiritual conviction and deep humanism. His spiritual odyssey began with the consecration of a Sivalinga at Aruvippuram on the Sivarathri day of 1888. In 1903, Sree Narayana Dharma Paripalana Sanghom (SNDP) was registered.

Guru became the focal point of the social reforms with his credo of ‘one caste, one religion, one God for man’. The magnitude of this revolution is perhaps lost on the postIndependence generation. Similar movements like the Sadhujana Paripalana Sanghom of the Harijan leader Ayyankali, the robust Vedanta of Chattambi Swami, and the Atma Vidya Sanghom founded by Vagbhadananda synergised into a major social reform movement. The Vaikkom Satyagraha in 1925, in which Mahatma Gandhi participated, was a landmark event that highlighted the prevalence of untouchability that manifested mainly as the prohibition to use public pathways by the people of the lower castes. This was followed up by the Guruvayur Satyagraha in 1932, led

by Kelappan and Mannathu Padmanabhan.

These agitations had borne fruit a decade later by the Temple Entry Proclamation by

the Maharaja of Travancore by which people of all castes were given the right to enter any temple for worship. It was a truly pathbreaking proclamation which opened the floodgates of social transformation.

Even as the lower castes were trying to overcome the social and religious repression by the upper castes and the practices sanctified by custom, the ferment of change was increasingly felt in the upper castes too, particularly among the Namboothiries. The virus of regressive thought that kept the lower castes under leash acted with characteristic damage among the upper castes as well. Tied down by several superstitions and totally irrational injunctions and misplaced notions of purity, anger and frustration smouldered in Nam-

Sree Narayana Guru

boothiry families. Suppression of women, coupled with the licentiousness of men and the declining returns from land, had weakened them considerably. The Yogakshema Sabha, aimed primarily at protecting and preserving their landlord rights, was established in 1908. However, with the arrival of intellectuals and rebels like V T Bhattathirippad, EMS, MRB and Premji, the Yogakshema Sabha became a vehicle for liberal thought and reforms among the Namboothiry community.

A combination of all these impulses slowly but surely redeemed Kerala society from the shackles of fossilised ideas and conventions and made it ready to accept and respond to progressive ideas. In 1938, The Travancore State Congress was established. The waves of nationalism thus started blowing over Travancore and elsewhere in Kochi and Malabar. Sir C P Ramaswamy Ayyar, the astute Diwan of Travancore had banned the State Congress. In the meanwhile, Communist ideology had taken roots among the landless and the labourers. The prevailing atmosphere of deprivation exacerbated by the Second World War had by then made the lives of the landless peasants miserable. In October 1946, Sir CP banned the Communist Party and trade unions. In a period marked by violence, repression and bloodshed, hundreds lost their lives.

By the time the country awoke to freedom and light in 1947, Kerala’s psyche had been badly bruised. However, on November 1, 1956, united Kerala became a reality with Travancore, Kochi and Malabar blending into the modern State of Kerala. In the first general election in 1956, the Communist Party came to power Chattambi Swamikal with E M S Namboothiripad as the Chief

K Jayakumar, IAS

Kerala’s natural integration to the world economy at a macro and human level is an asset. The soothing greenery is a bonus. The untapped and unique potential of the State in terms of human and social capital wait to be explored.

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Minister. Even prior to Independence, separate Acts were passed in Cochin and Travancore, providing debt relief and staying eviction of tenants.

The first Government of Kerala enacted the Kerala Agrarian Relations Act in 1960. After a series of reverses and legal battles, the Kerala Land Reforms Act was enacted in1963. This progressive legislation had far-reaching socio-political and economic impact. The legislation fixed a ceiling on land holding and conferred rights on the tenant. Surplus land was taken away and distributed among the landless.

Kerala has an inherent preference for social equity and egalitarianism. In the order of priority, social development was always ranked higher than the economic growth. Perhaps, society seems to have a collective foresight that social security and equity are necessary prerequisites for sustainable development. The organised movements like SNDP, NSS, Muslim Education Society and the various denominations of Christian Churches, which arose as social and religious movements, slowly and naturally evolved into major educational managements running schools and colleges. Government cannot own the full credit for achieving universalisation of primary education in Kerala. This was made possible more by the inner resolve of these agencies. The role of women in ensuring enrolment of children in school was significant. Though the old matrilineal system had weakened and collapsed, the women in such families had an acumen and will power that was to a great extent responsible for educational equality of the girl child as well.

The remarkable contribution of Christian Missionaries in codifying Malayalam grammar, compiling dictionary and introducing printing press

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need special mention. The history of Malayalam language and literature will be incomplete without the mention of at least two missionaries: Herman Gundert and Benjamin Bailey.

The introduction of printing and periodicals in Malayalam had a cascading effect. In the last decades of 19th century, publications like ‘Vidyavilasini’ and ‘Bhashaposhini’ and later in 1905, ‘Kavanakaumudi’ emerged as successful publications.

They provided the Herman Gundert much required platform for the intellectuals and poets and played a great role in the renaissance of Kerala. The first newspaper, ‘Kerala Patrika’, was published from Calicut in 1884, and another daily, ‘Malayali’, began to be published from Trivandrum in 1886.

Unfortunately, many of these publications met with premature demise. ‘Nasrani Deepika’, that commenced publication from Kottayam in 1939, continues to be published as ‘Deepika’ daily. The ‘Malayala Manorama daily’ began to be published since 1928, though it was in existence as ‘Manorama’ from 1890 onwards. On the lines of Gandhiji’s Young India, ‘Mathrubhumi’ began to

Mannathu Padmanabhan be published thrice a week in 1932 but subsequently became a daily. The exile of the editor Swadeshabhimani Ramakrishna Pillai in 1911 for his fearless and uncompromising views has left a deep mark in the psyche of journalists in the State, urging them to rededicate to the cause of fearless journalism. The exiled editor is an archetype for the media. These developments too had brought about an abiding desire for personal dignity and social justice.

Even as Kerala has changed socially and economically, with the old giving way to the new, there is an inner core of traditional culture that has

always lent the distinct cultural flavour to the State. Both folk and classical traditions co-exist with their rich repertoire.

Classical theatre like Kutiyattam, one of the oldest and most sophisticated cultural expression, has been recognised by UNESCO as a ‘masterpiece of humanity’. Kathakali and Mohiniyattam are too well-known to elaborate. The traditional ritualistic art form of Theyyam, with its superhuman symmetry, intricate design and exuberant creativity, is a perennial source of fascination. The art traditions are surprisingly not museum pieces even today, though social changes have been significant. Kerala’s intellectual traditions are also as brilliant as its artistic traditions. Astrology, astronomy, and Ayurveda are some of the living knowledge systems that play a prominent role.

Today, Kerala is one of the most media-rich and media-intensive society in the country. With over 200 newspapers, nearly 500 periodicals and more than fifteen state-focussed TV channels, media plays the role of the watchdog, opinion maker and moral arbiter. The reading habit in Kerala has been nurtured by the Library movement, in which several streams conjoined to form the Kerala Grandhasala Sanghom in 1958.

Thousands of rural libraries and reading rooms dot the landscape of Kerala. Sahitya Pravarthaka Sahakarana Sanghom, the cooperative publishing house run by writers, was a pioneering attempt in publication history and came into being as early as in 1945. Today several publish-

ers carry forward this publishing mission, with DC Books setting new trends and pioneering innovations, harmonising with changing times. All these developments culminated in the declaration of Kerala as the total literate state in the country.

That there was a slant towards social development does not mean that, the productive sector was glossed over.

There were entrepreneurs and adventurous farmers and traders. The Kerala Land Reforms Act has left plantations outside the purview of land ceiling. Rubber, tea and spices thus continued to drive the commodity trade. Kerala’s place of primacy as a major exporter of pepper and cardamom and as a major producer of rubber continues, though the changing contours of trade regime pose challenges. This labour-intensive sector has been providing employment to a large number of people with little scope for labour displacing mechanisation. Latex produced in Kerala is exported or sent to other manufacturing centres within the country, with only 17% of the domestic produce used within Kerala for product manufacture.

With assured availability of coconut husk, coir manufacture is a traditional industry, particularly in Alappuzha and Kollam districts. The northern districts of Kerala has cashew plantations while traditionally, Kollam in the South has been the major processing centre. Even today, this pattern exists, though dependence on imported raw nuts continues to

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grow. Very little value addition used to be done in cashew till recently. With the growth of the domestic market in India, coir and cashew no longer depend only on exports for survival. Seafood has been another major export. Together with spices, cashew, coir and seafood, Kerala is a significant contributor to the country’s export earnings.

Kerala had always understood the dynamics of international trade and its threats and prospects.

From ancient times, the Malabar Coast had trade relations with the Arabs. Kochi had seen brisk trade with Chinese while Mahodayapuram had flourishing trade with Romans and Phoenicians.

Pepper, known to the West as black gold, had always lured traders to this coast. Ponnani, Beypore, Alappuzha and Kollam were all active ports at some periods of history. The maritime traditions of Kerala, symbolised by Kunjali Marakkar, the daring Admiral of the Zamorin, lives on as the yacht building activity localised at Beypore.

On the industrial front, the earlier success stories are the Travancore Titanium Factory in Thiruvananthapuram and Indian Rare Earths in Chavara, both based on mineral extraction.

Fertilisers and Chemicals Travancore (FACT), Hindustan Machine Tools (HMT), Cochin Oil Refinery, and Cochin Shipyard are some of the Central Government Projects in the State. In the initial decade after independence, the State Government concentrated on hydroelectric and irrigation projects. This saw the establishment of Peringalkuthu, Shenkulam, Sabarigiri, and later, Idukki hydroelectric projects. The availability of relatively inexpensive power was in the sixties and seventies Kerala’s claim to invite industrial investment. Malampuzha, Peechi, Neyyar and Mangalam are some of the noteworthy irrigation

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projects.

With the disruption of the traditional land relations and collapse of the matrilineal system taking place with the spread of education, a new class of educated young people entered the job market.

They were prepared to live away from home for a job. Though prior to Independence, Malayalees had out-migrated to Ceylon, Burma and Malaya, they were all uneducated labourers.

The second wave of outmigration was mostly to other cities within the country. They had Cochin Shipyard a felicity to learn other languages and adapt to local culture and conditions. The popular (and of course stale) joke that you should not be surprised to encounter a Malayalee atop Mount Everest is the cartoon version of a truth.

The third wave of out-migration began by the early eighties, mostly to the Middle East. The trickle grew into a flow. As a result, today nearly three million Malayalees live in the Gulf countries alone. Out-migration takes place when an economy does not grow adequately to respond to the aspiration of job seekers. The possible earnings from a job in the Gulf were considerably high in comparison with the possible earnings back home.

Skilled labourers and large number of educated

youth left to the petro-dollar rich Gulf Sultanates only to realise some of their dreams. Thousands of such dreams blossomed, though a few must have gone sour. In terms of hard financial facts, the overseas Malayalee today remits Rs 49,695 crore annually. What is often described as ‘demand draft economy’ has kept the State buoyant in difficult times by keeping the demand and purchasing capacity at a decent level. It is ironical that the capital so available seldom goes for productive investment. The Non-resident Keralites (NRK) hold the golden key to unlock the developmentdoor of Kerala. They have the technology, experience, contact and money.

Owing to the high density of population, cer-

tain types of industries may not be suitable to the State. That is why Tourism and IT have emerged as the twin engines of growth. For tourism, good physical environment is an essential precondition. IT as such does not make ecological demands. Charting a new growth course from the late eighties, tourism began to evolve as a major economic activity with the required synergy with the private sector and imaginative marketing. Today, Kerala has groomed itself as a much sought-after destination. With corresponding emphasis on the training of youth, the economic benefits of tourism growth are available to the State. Same is the case with IT. The first Technopark in Kariavattom, Thiruvananthapuram, has brought in several IT investments.

The Cyberpark at Calicut and the Infopark at Kochi are in the process of replicating this success. Today, almost all major IT firms have set shop in Kerala. With large number of Engineering Colleges, suitable manpower is readily available.

On the infrastructure sector, Kerala is on an expansion phase with ambitious projects like the Kochi Metro, Monorail at Thiruvananthapuram and Calicut, and a proposed high speed rail connecting the southern tip with the north of the State. The Vizhinjam Port would soon become a reality.

Kerala’s pace of industrialisation might not have been fast enough. But Kerala society seems to have been prepared for a new daybreak of industrialisation. History has prepared the State socially, economically and technologically to usher in a migration of capital and job opportunities towards Kerala. Labour in the State is neither aggressive nor indifferent. Certainly they are aware of their entitlements. Labour legislations in the State are sensitive to human rights. A non-exploitative labour culture based on entitlements makes Kerala one of the preferred investment destinations as it has achieved the benchmarks insisted by the modern ethos in international trade.

The socially evolved State offers an investment climate with a skilled workforce and a managerial class sensitive to local culture and international milieu. The IT infrastructure is one of the best. Proximity to Kochi Port and International Cargo terminal at Vallarpadam are opportunities. Kerala’s natural integration to the world economy at a macro and human level is an asset. The soothing greenery is a bonus. The untapped and unique potential of the State in terms of human and social capital wait to be explored. It is no wonder if one is tempted to believe that history has been grooming Kerala to emerge out of the pupa as a preferred investment destination that guarantees sustained growth and investors’ satisfaction.

Idukki Dam

Infopark Kochi

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Ten potential growth sectors of Kerala

By Sam Pitroda and Shaffi Mather

has been developing meaningful linkages with both domestic as well as international communities for diligent application and promotion of knowledge, skills, technologies, and groundbreaking concepts and formulations in the traditional, modern, and emerging nerve centres of human evolution. We have identified ten core sectors that have helped and will help the state in sustaining the growth momentum.

Tourism

An aerial view of Technopark, Trivandrum

A

t a time when emerging economies like India have brought about a shift in the global economic axis from the West to the East, Kerala is moving on to the world stage with an impeccable social development record and the recent total positive turn in its economic outlook.

With a high per capita income, high literacy rate, high life expectancy, low infant mortality rate, and the country’s highest human devel-

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opment index, Kerala is engaged in a socioeconomic process of rediscovery by ushering in sector-specific growth models that are not only transforming the infrastructural landscape, but also strengthening the foundations of individual as well as collective enterprise.

No state can evolve on its own without purposeful engagement with the outside world.

Inspired by the concept of a global village, Kerala

Blessed with the breathtaking biodiversity hotspot of the Western Ghats, equally enchanting backwaters, 44 rivers, wildlife sanctuaries, forest reserves, beautiful beaches and villages, Kerala is one of the fastest growing, vibrant tourism destinations in the world, promising tourists a judicious mix of action, fun, leisure, rejuvenation, pilgrimage, sports, and adventure. On an average, the state receives about seven lakh foreign tourists and about 60 lakh domestic tourists every year.

The tourism sector generates revenue of about Rs 4,000 crore ($800 million) and attracts about Rs 1000 crore ($200 million) worth investments every year, providing livelihood for about 1.2 million people. This industry is the state’s main source of foreign currency outside of inward remittances by Keralites working abroad.

Foreign tourist arrivals to Kerala during the year 2011 stood at 7,32,985, an increase of 11.18 per cent over the previous year’s figure of 6,59,265. The state earned foreign exchange to the tune of Rs 4221.99 crore. The growth

Infosys campus at Technopark, Trivandrum rate is a few notches higher than the UNWTO’s projected growth rate of seven to nine per cent for Asia and the Pacific.

Acknowledging the consistency in growth, the state government increased the total allocation for tourism by 70 per cent in the 2012-13 Budget.

The allocations would be used for improvement of the tourism infrastructure and hospitality services. A Tourism Promotion Board based on the public-private partnership model will be constituted for betterment of investment opportunities. Among the

new tourism packages and projects, the state will promote the Muziris Heritage Project and the Thalassery Heritage Project. The state will also work towards elevating the status of Wayanad, Kochi, Kumarakom, and Kovalam as international tourist destinations.

IT

The knowledge economy of Kerala is set to witness a new boom, with the state government giving the go-ahead to several information technology (IT) projects of leading business and industrial houses and fast-tracking

implementation of the stateof-the-art Knowledge City and Smart City projects.

While the establishment of knowledge parks by the Leela Group, L&T and Muthoot Pappachan Group has reinforced the confidence of IT investors, the state hopes to stem the migration tide of skilled manpower to other states by providing them employment opportunities through the Smart City and Knowledge City projects.

At present, the IT and ITES sector in the state is performing quite well.

In fact, the growth rate in Kerala was higher than in Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Maharashtra last year.

Software exports from the state are expected to cross the Rs 10,000 crore mark by 2015. To cater to the huge demand for quality infrastructure in the IT/ITES sector, the state is expanding Technopark in Thiruvananthapuram, Infopark in Cochin, and Cyberpark in Kozhikode.

Healthcare

Kerala is in the league of developed countries on the health front, with low birth and death rates, low infant and maternal mortality rates, high life expectancy, and favourable

Sam Pitroda Mentor,

State of Kerala

Blessed with the breathtaking biodiversity hotspot of the Western Ghats, equally enchanting backwaters, 44 rivers, wildlife sanctuaries, forest reserves, beautiful beaches and villages, Kerala is one of the fastest growing, vibrant tourism destinations in the world, promising tourists a judicious mix of action, fun, leisure, rejuvenation, pilgrimage, sports, and adventure.

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sex ratio. The state has more than 2,700 government medical institutions, with 330 beds per lakh population, the highest in the country. The state is known for having the best healthcare infrastructure in the country, including some of the leading private healthcare chains.

Kerala’s forward-looking healthcare initiatives have enabled it to break away from the twin problems of affordability and accessibility. The Ministry of Health now plans to establish diagnosis centres across all districts to provide people easy access to holistic medical treatment for serious health disorders and diseases like HIV/AIDS. Kerala’s Ayurveda, an ancient system of healing, is famous all over the world. Ayurveda has been identified as one of the key sectors of growth and innovation. The state has the potential to contribute to the development of authentic, good quality Ayurveda products. Thanks to the efficacious traditional systems of healing, the state has been successful in attracting medical tourists from various parts of the world.

Agriculture

Since time immemorial, Kerala has been popularly called ‘the land of spices’. The largest producer of agricultural products like rubber, spices, and cashew, the state produces 97% of the national output of pepper, and accounts for 85% of the rubber plantations in the country. Coconut, tea, coffee, cashew, and spices, including carda-

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mom, vanilla, cinnamon, and nutmeg, are among the major agricultural products supplied by the state. The key agricultural staple is rice, with some 600 varieties grown in the extensive paddy fields of the state. Of late, Kerala has started producing value-added food ingredients such as spice oleoresins and natural colouring agents, which

command a huge demand in the international market. Since the state’s farming community is well-acquainted with the best global practices, the per capita agricultural yield is on par with the global standards.

Education

At over 95 per cent, Kerala’s literacy rate is

rooms, and jewellery outlets, the retail sector, one of the largest in the country, is catering to the multifarious demands of growing consumerism. The annual Kerala Shopping Festival, which is held in December/ January every year, has already become India’s leading retail/ shopping festival with backing from the government and wholehearted participation from the private sector.

Coir

reflective of the acceptance of the inherent values of education and human development among its population. Therefore, unlike many states and countries in the world, this state is not faced with the usual worry of increasing school and college dropouts. The state has six governmentfunded universities, and a bevy of colleges and professional (medical and engineering) educational institutes that are in the process of forging tie-ups with institutions of international repute. Some of them are already engaged in joint research

initiatives with world renowned universities. For instance, recently, eight institutional partnership projects were awarded. Kerala is poised to become the hub of higher education to attract students from Africa, the Middle East and Central Asia.

Retail

Kerala’s retail sector is a goldmine. The state government has created an investor-friendly environment through its well-structured policies. From margin free markets to shopping malls, hypermarkets and supermarkets, food courts, auto show

Coir, often called the golden fibre, is a natural fibre extracted from the husk of coconut. Derived from the Malayalam word ‘kayar’, meaning ‘cord’, coir is mainly produced by the coastal people of the state.

The coir industry is one of the largest employment providers in the state, especially rural Kerala. The coir industry earns a foreign exchange of more than Rs 800 crore per year. Used for multifarious use, including home decor, and various industrial purposes, the durable coir geotextiles helps in containing landslip and soil erosion. A 100 per cent organic fibre, geotextile prevents cave-ins, and protects roads, bridges, or reinforced slopes.

Logistics

Logistics is an integral part of development. Supported by geographi-

Shaffi Mather

Economic Advisor to the Chief Minister of Kerala

The knowledge economy of Kerala is set to witness a new boom, with the state government giving the goahead to several information technology (IT) projects of leading business and industrial houses and fast-tracking implementation of the stateof-the-art Knowledge City and Smart City projects.

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cal advantages and maritime routes, Kerala is largely considered to be an emerging hub of logistics in South India. The commissioning of the Vallarpadam International Container Trans-shipment Terminal has opened up avenues for more free trade warehousing zones. The Vizhinjam Port Project and the Azheekal Port will firm up Kerala’s place in the global maritime map once this project is completed.

On the air traffic front, Kerala has the best logistic support services at its three international airports. The state is also well-connected by road to the rest of the nation.

Minerals and metals

Kerala possesses the best mineral sands in the coastal tracts between Neendakara and Kayamkulam. The Heavy Mineral Sand deposits contain an assemblage of Ilmenite, Rutile, Leucoxene, Monazite, Zircon, and Sillimanite.

The coastal tract between Alappuzha and Aroor contain extensive deposits of silica sand. The best deposits are confined to a narrow strip of land sandwiched on either side by the Vembanad Lake and stretching from Cherthala to Arookutti to a distance of about 35 km. Many mineral-based industries have been functioning from Alappuzha district for quite some time now. Kerala is working to further enhance its strength in this field by adding capacity in the public sector.

Spices

India is the largest producer and exporter of spices in the world.

During the past five years, spice exports in the country have registered an annual average growth rate of 21 per cent in value, and eight per cent in quantity. Every year, India exports spices worth Rs 6,800 crore, and Kerala is the leading supplier of exotic spices. Pepper is cultivated in over 15,800 hectares, spread across the country, and of this, Kerala’s contribution is about 96 per cent of the total production.

The total estimated export of spices from the country crossed the $2 billion mark during 2011-12. During this period, a total of 5,75,270 tonnes of spices and spice products, valued at Rs 9783.42 crore, had been exported against 5,25,750 tonnes, valued at Rs 6840.70 crore, in 2010-11, an increase of nine per cent in quantity, and 43 per cent in rupee terms.

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A Treasured History...

Economic and trade history of Kerala

By K M Chandrasekhar, Vice-Chairman, Kerala State Planning Board

A

mong all Indian States, Kerala perhaps has the strongest, the most deep-rooted, and oldest tradition of interaction with the world outside.

In the third and second millennia BC, Kerala had extensive trade in cardamom and cinnamon with the Assyrians and Babylonians in the ancient land of Sumer.

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In 1500 BC, the Egyptian Queen Hatshepsut sent an expedition of five ships down the Red Sea to obtain spices from the East.

The great Egyptian city of Alexandria carried on sizeable entrepot trade in spices. It is said that the trade in spices and other products extended even to the Indus Valley civilisation, and through the Indus Valley to the Arab world. There was brisk trade with the Phoenicians, and in 1000 BC, King Solomon of Israel equipped a fleet of ships which came to “Ophir”, differently identified with Poovar in Thiruvananthapuram district and Beypore in Kozhikode district.

There was heavy trade with the Greeks and the Romans, which intensified with the discovery of the monsoon winds by Hippalus in 45 AD. The Romans were particularly fond of pepper, which was described as “Yavana Priya” in Sanskrit texts. There is also evidence of trade with

the Chinese. Marco Polo, the well-known 13th century traveller, was informed by a customs officer at Hangchow that more than 10,000 pounds of pepper was brought into that port every day.

He also says that Zaitun received more than 100 times as much pepper as Alexandria.

Maritime trade led to the development of many ports of the Kerala coast, the most important of which appeared to be Muziris, Tyndis, Barace and Nelcynda. “Muziris”, according to Prof A Sreedhara Menon,“ was the gate of ancient India, and apart from serving as an emporium of trade for the Phoenicians, the Egyptians, the Greeks and Romans in turn, it also gave shelter for the first time to the Christian, Jewish and Muslim communities who have enriched the cultural heritage of India.” It is stated that there was even a temple of Augustus near Muziris.

With the decline of Muziris, following floods in the Periyar river, the ports of Quilon, Calicut, and Cochin became prominent. Ibn Batuta, the Arab traveller, visited Calicut six times between 1342 and 1347 AD. He describes Quilon as “one of the finest cities in Malabar with magnificent markets and wealthy merchants”.

After Vasco da Gama landed in Calicut in 1498 AD, Portuguese intrusion into the area was followed by those of the Dutch and the British.

The British authority in Kerala was confined to Malabar; Travancore and Cochin remained outside their direct control.

The princely states of Travancore laid great emphasis on social development. Dr K K George, in his paper “Kerala Economy: Growth, Structure, Strength and Weakness”, says: “Almost all the present differences between Kerala and the rest of the country in social development can be traced at least to the last two centuries.”In his paper “Underpinnings of Human Development”, Dr George enumerates several indicators of social development and opines that “in terms of physical quality of life indicators like literacy, school enrolment, dropout rates, life expectancy, and infant mortality, Kerala is way ahead not only of Indian states, but also of most of the developing countries.”

He quotes Dr Amartya Sen as having stated (in 1992) that “to achieve as much as Kerala has done for a population of its size is no mean record in world history”.

The 19th century also witnessed expansion of area under cultivation of cash crops like tea, coffee, spices, and rubber. Plantation scale cultivation of these crops was initiated by the Europeans by cutting down forests and in lands reclaimed from the backwaters. The banking sector also witnessed significant growth. In December 1949, it was estimated that the average area served by a commercial bank in Travancore-Cochin was 18 square miles as against 222 for the country as a whole. The average population served by a commercial bank was 16,000 as against 65,000 for the country as a whole. Even the share of industry in the state domestic product was higher. Dr George says that “unlike today, both in terms of per capita and share of industry in the state income, Kerala’s position was higher than the national average in 1950-51 and 1955-56.”

Kerala then entered into a period of stagnation which lasted till the late ’80s. The annual growth rate of state income from 1971-72 to 1986-87 was just 1.88 per cent. The situation again changed from around 1987-88 onwards.

The growth rate of state income at constant prices during

K M Chandrasekhar

Among all Indian States, Kerala perhaps has the strongest, the most deep-rooted, and oldest tradition of interaction with the world outside.

In the third and second millennia BC, Kerala had extensive trade in cardamom and cinnamon with the Assyrians and Babylonians in the ancient land of Sumer.

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the period 1987-88 to 2000-01 rose to six per cent. The growth rate during the period 200001 to 2006-07 was even higher at 8.1 per cent, while, for the country as a whole, it was 7.1 per cent. The primary sector has been stagnating at low levels of growth, while the secondary and tertiary sectors have been showing significant growth. The share of the tertiary sector has been increasing exponentially, from 29.32 per cent in 1950-51 to 36.4 per cent in 1980-81, and 50.64 per cent in 1999-2000 to 68.8 per cent in 201011.

In this period of growth, we see once again the global connect. Dr M Mansy in her paper “The Migrant Malayali” has indicated that the number of emigrants from Kerala increased from approximately 0.23 million in 1982 to more than two million in 2007. This resulted in a significant increase in the inflow of foreign remittances. It went up from 1,87,240 million in the year 2000 to 3,76,900 million in 2011. In the words of Dr Mansy, “A major consequence of this migration of unemployed labour force has been a reduction in poverty and unemployment. Migration has resulted in an increase in the demand for certain categories of workers, especially construction workers, because of their migration to the Gulf and of the massive construction programmes resulting from the inflow of foreign remittances.”

This global connect has been further reinforced by massive increase in tourism, particularly during the last two decades. In a paper entitled “Tourism Resources and Kerala Experience”, Blensy John and Arya Shanavas say that close to 0.5 million tourists from Western countries and seven million domestic tourists visit Kerala every

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year. Together, they brought in revenue exceeding Rs 90,000 million in the year 2006.

“Emerging Kerala” is about the next phase of global connect. The Kerala paradox has long been a subject of discussion. We have all at once a strong global interface, evolved over centuries, social indicators comparable with the best anywhere in the world, high growth rates in the

recent past, and even higher growth rates of domestic expenditure, which exceeds the domestic income by a significant margin. At the same time, domestic production within the state has not risen to potential. “Emerging Kerala” is about raising the production potential of Kerala with the public and private sector working together in concert.

As the Overview of the Approach Paper to the

Cochin International Airport

Shape of things to come

12th Five Year Plan, prepared by the state government, states: “At the heart of the Approach Paper for the 12th Five Year Plan of the state is a strategic intent: to lay the foundation for creating an economy which is productive, competitive, sustainable and inclusive.”

In short, Kerala’s forward march has been punctuated by bursts of intensified connection with the rest of the country and the rest of the world. It started with global trade in agricultural commodities. As competition grew and our share in global trade dwindled, the flagging economy was revived by a huge upsurge in inward remittances and increase in emigration to the rest of the world and the movement of job seekers to other parts of India. This phase is still continuing and, perhaps, growing stronger with the fall in the value of the rupee, but we have to prepare in advance for the next phase. This phase will essentially consist of strengthening the production base in agriculture, in industry, in information technology, in health, in education, and in services. We need to harness our strengths, overcome our weaknesses and work assiduously to make best use of our resources.

We cannot survive and grow in denial of globalisation because it is the global and national connect that has driven our economy thus far. To quote Prof Amartya Sen again, “Globalisation is fundamental in the global movement of ideas, people, or goods. The culture of opposition to globalisation that we see today underestimates the power and resilience of their own societies - in this case, Indian society - and has remained of fundamental threat to interaction between two parts of the world.” Prof Sen believes that such an approach would only strengthen the forces of “cultural conservatism and fundamentalism”.

“Emerging Kerala” must be construed as an effort to intensify engagement with the world, an engagement that must continue unabated for many years for this State to realise its full potential.

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Kerala and its strategy for the future

By Tarun Das, Member, Kerala State Planning Board

“

God’s Own Country” is how the beautiful, green state of Kerala is rightly described.

It is a beautiful state. It is a very green state. It is also a state which receives the maximum inward remittances from non-residents across the world that have helped it in raising the living standards.

And, it is important to sustain and retain Kerala’s

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beauty and greenness while looking ahead.

First, the state necessarily has to focus on the services sector for its evolution and growth. This doesn’t mean Information Technology alone.

Education, training, healthcare, media, engineering services, industrial services, consulting, legal, accountancy, financial services, films and enter-

tainment, and similar sectors should be accorded top priority. This list is just a sample and by no means comprehensive or complete. Each stream in the services sector has huge potential for both employment as well as self-employment/entrepreneurship. The services sector has to be the backbone of the state’s economy. And, for each area, a strategic plan needs to be worked out so that implementation and execution can happen without delay.

Within the services sector, tourism has to be singled out more than any other area to generate economic activity as well as jobs. It has the possibility of increasing its earnings by at least 50 folds, if not more. For this to be realised, we need to build appropriate infrastructure by thinking creatively without taxing the exchequer. The private sector can play a large part through PublicPrivate Partnership arrangements, so that the public delivery system is not unduly pressurised.

This is not to say that Manufacturing is a “no-no” in the state. But, the focus has to be on “clean” manufacturing. For example, electronicsbased industries require limited land and are environment-friendly. And, this (focus) has to be within specified Industrial Parks, some of which already exist. This sector will necessarily be capital and technology-intensive.

Kerala can also be a premier state for activities to do with science and technology, research and development. One obvious area is Life Sci-

ences, Biotechnology and Pharma. The state can also attract R&D laboratories since it offers a hospitable environment to live, work, and study. The presence of educational institutions and universities is key.

Finally, agriculture, food and fruit processing are priority areas for Kerala’s growth. Induction of new methods and technology would help raise both quality and productivity, thus creating a stronger food and agri sector in the state.

This is a focus area but could do with inputs and ideas for modernisation, efficiency, and new levels of growth.

There are some key prerequisites which will enable all of this to happen. First and foremost, Infrastructure. Since land is limited, sea and inland navigation should be explored for transportation. Power, too, is a challenge, but the focus has to be on more decentralised, clean power.

The power needs can be partially solved by big power plants but the cost and time factors are key issues.

Secondly, skills development and training. This has to be a competitiondriven, private sector activity since it has a clear way to generate revenue.

Kerala has a great record of literacy,

but the real need is now to scale up skills levels for the services, food/agri, manufacturing and infrastructure sectors. The training programmes need to be targeted and relevant.

Thirdly, a new work culture which focusses on productivity, efficiency, and avoidance of work disruptions.

Trade Unions’ partnership and full involvement are essential because workmen and employees would, and must, gain enormously from the new level of economic growth. One of the key challenges India is facing is the excessive inequality leading to unhappiness and disturbances.

Kerala already has the benefit of large inward remittances which have helped families across the state.

The important issue is to ensure that employees benefit to the maximum in all development. This is critical for peace and prosperity.

In conclusion, it can be said that Kerala can grow at 10 per cent plus GDP per annum for the next ten years because of its resources - natural and human. This will help further transform the lives of the people. The aspiration level of the youth is very high.

They are also impatient for prosperity, unlike previous generations. Kerala, as a state, must accept this fact of life and respond through action. And, Kerala can be a role model not only for other states in India, but also for many outside India.

Tarun Das

Kerala can grow at 10% plus GDP per annum for the next ten years because of its resources - natural and human. This will help further transform the lives of the people. The aspiration level of the young is very high.

They are also impatient for prosperity, unlike previous generations.

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Kerala awaits a new dawn

By Alkesh Kumar Sharma, IAS, Managing Director, KSIDC

W

ith the lush green backwaters, palm fringed beaches, the bio-rich Western Ghats, the green mid land, rivers and estuaries, Kerala can be described as a unique place in the world. Situated on the southernmost tip of India, Kerala has a geographical area of 38,863 sq.km (1.18% of the country’s land mass) and a population of 3,33,87,677 as of 2011. It has a coastal length of 600 km. With a literacy rate of 93.91%, among the highest in the country, a high life expectancy rate of 74 years, and a physical quality life index comparable with that of the developed nations, the state continues to be among the best places to live.

The state has also scaled a high in certain economic indicators: per capita income, human development index (highest among all states at 79%), and high skilled manpower availability. Kerala is connected with three international airports (Thiruvananthapuram, Kochi, and Kozhikode), while work on the fourth and fifth international airports at Kannur and Aranmula is in progress. Three intermediate ports, 14 minor ports, 18 seaports, one international seaport, and the ICT Terminal at Kochi, close to the Transnational Trade Corridor, ensure connectivity through sea.

Kerala is an investor-friendly state. Kerala State Industrial Development Corporation (KSIDC) has played a pivotal role in attracting investments from several parts of the

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world. With the ‘Emerging Kerala Global Meet 2012’, KSIDC will showcase the growth and investment opportunities in the state on a global scale. It differs from the ‘run-of-themill global meets’, as the business interactions fostered by this summit would be translated into meaningful engagements and serious dialogues between the Kerala government and the industry, trade, and diplomatic representatives of foreign countries in the emerging areas of economy, and the traditional, social and cultural sectors. This summit is the first initiative towards beginning a new epoch of Kerala’s bonding with the world.

Kerala is an investor’s paradise. With an installed capacity of 3,514.1 MW and 772 MW from the central pool, Kerala has no shortage of electricity. As of today, 70 per cent of the energy being consumed by the state is hydroelectric. The state has 44 rivers, which provide water for the hydroelectric power plants. The state will also tap the potential of gas-based power plants in the near future. Work on an LNG Terminal at Kochi is underway.

In terms of tele-density, Kerala has the highest rate in India with 98 per cent of telephone exchanges having Internet facilities.

It also has the advantage of two high-speed submarine cable landings at Kochi, offering 15 Gbps bandwidth, making it a communication gateway. With availability of urban amenities

even in villages, Kerala is the perfect example of judicious infrastructure investments. The industrial infrastructure of the state is a proof of its hunger for growth.

Kerala’s economic growth

The economic indicators reflect Kerala’s silent growth.

The State’s Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) of the past ten

years is 9.90 per cent, while that of India is 9.49 per cent. Sectoral contribution of GSDP of Kerala in primary sector is 11.06 per cent, in secondary sector 20.13 per cent, and in tertiary sector 68.80 per cent, while that of India are 14.36 per cent, 20.02 per cent, and 65.62 per cent respectively.

Kerala is the only Indian state that recorded a surge in growth of investment projects in the stage of implementation during the fourth quarter of the financial year 2011-12, as compared to the previous three quarters.

Kerala recorded a 27.8 per cent Yearon-Year growth rate in investment projects in the implementation stages, while the All India growth rate was 8.1 per cent.

The Kerala government has introduced a host of innovative and modern measures to extend a warm welcome to investors. Several policies, including the Industrial Policy, the IT Policy, and the Tourism Policy, have been revised, and new measures, such as Single Window Clearance Mechanism – Online, Empowered Committee for Special Incentives/ Concessions, have been introduced, through which the state government has acquired an investor-friendly face.

Kerala’s thrust sectors

While 26 sectors have been declared as potential sectors for growth, Kerala has identified the following as thrust sectors: 1. IT & IT-Enabled Services

Alkesh Kumar Sharma

The Kerala government has introduced a host of innovative and modern measures to extend a warm welcome to investors.

Several policies, including the Industrial Policy, the IT Policy, and the Tourism Policy, have been revised, and new measures, such as Single Window Clearance Mechanism, have been introduced.

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2. Tourism & Medical Tourism (Ayurveda) 3. Healthcare Services 4. Food & Agro Processing 5. Knowledge/Education Sector 6. Ports, Ship Building and Logistics 7. Energy, including Green Energy 8. Biotechnology, Nanotechnology & other Sunrise Sectors 9. Water Technologies & Inland Waterways 10. Infrastructure Development (Road, Rail Power, Water Supply, Sewage).

Infrastructure

High Speed Rail Corridor:

The proposed Rs 118,000-crore, 630-km-long Thiruvananthapuram-Mangalore High Speed Rail Corridor would call for investments in civil construction, construction material supply, engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contracts, operations and maintenance (O&M) service, consultancy assistance, inter-nodal transport services, catering, and infotainment, among other services.

National Investment & Manufacturing Zone (NIMZ): With 20 Nodes identified for investment, covering a total area of 5,200 hectares, NIMZ aims to

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promote manufacturing in the Kochi-Palakkad Industrial Corridor Region. Opportunities lie within developing industrial plots, standard design modules, plug & play facilities, logistic support services, and infrastructure development services, such as power plant, water supply system, and ETP service. There are also opportunities for ancillary units, export and import businesses, packaging services. The capital outlay for infrastructure development is Rs 52,000 crore.

NIMZ will also give a fillip to service sector activities, such as schools, hospitals, banking, shopping centres, and hotels and catering services.

Vizhinjam International Deep Water Multipurpose Seaport: The estimated project cost

is around Rs 7,000 crore with development of the port in phases. The cost of basic infrastructure, like power and water, rail/road linkages, itself will come around to Rs 3,000 crore.

Kochi Metro Rail Project: With 21 stations covering 25 km, the Kochi Metro Rail Project will take the Elevated Viaduct route at an estimated project cost of Rs 4,500 crore. This project will generate investment opportunities in the form of infrastructure support services.

Petroleum, Chemicals and Petrochemicals Investment Region (PCPIR), Kochi:

PCPIR aims to expand the manufacturing base of petroleum, chemicals and petrochemical units in the state. The capacity of Kochi Refinery would enhance from 9.5mmtpa to 15.5mmtpa. BPCL Kochi Refinery would supply the base products for downstream petrochemical projects.

Smart City, Kochi: A self-sustaining town-

ship for knowledge-based industries, with an estimated project cost of Rs 2100 crore, Smart City will spur growth in property development, especially residential complexes, tourism and travel, computer and electronic hardware supply and services, catering services, shopping malls, and infotainment centres.

Mono Rails in Thiruvananthapuram & Kozhikode and a gas-based power plant at Kasargod: With an estimated project cost of Rs

5100 crore and Rs 4500 crore respectively, both projects hold enough prospects for investors.

Kannur International Airport: The estimated project cost of Kannur International Airport is Rs 4500 crore.

Gas-based power project at Vypeen (LNG Petronet): Investment opportunities lie in areas like city gas distribution, laying of spur lines, CNG stations, distributed power generation, Gas Training Institute etc.

Titanium Sponge Project, Kollam: The first of its kind in India, this project will cost Rs 3,000 crore.

Life Science Park, Thiruvananthapuram:

This park will house a cluster of industries with focus on developing R&D institutions in key life sciences sectors. It holds investment opportunities for healthcare and allied healthcare players.

Electronic Hub, Kochi: With state-of-the-art infrastructure, manufacturing units, and R&D facilities, this hub will help manufacturing, contract manufacturing, and fabricating units in the electronics sector. Designed in the PPP mode, the estimated cost of the project is Rs 450 crore.

Urban infrastructure projects: The state’s

area development projects, the solid waste management projects at Brahmapuram and Calicut, the bus terminal-cum-commercial complexes projects at various district headquarters, the Vizhinjam Ropeway Project, and the parking plaza projects across cities will boost investment in related sectors.

Sea Plane Services: Meant for faster, safer, and economic movement of passengers between remote destinations, such services will give the tourism industry a new money-spinning mantra.

Kerala has the added advantage of innumerable beaches and backwaters.

Oceanarium, Kochi: In 40 acres of govern-

ment land at Puthuvypin, Kochi, 5th Generation Oceanarium & Marine Research Centre would be established with an estimated project cost of Rs 350 crore.

The government of Kerala has envisioned the Emerging Kerala Global Meet 2012 as an important event to showcase the potential and opportunities in various sectors to the prospective investors and business community. With a clear focus on continuing training and development of its human resource and thrust on eco-friendly development, the government intends to transform Kerala society from a wage-earning one to an entrepreneurial society for sustainable development of the state.

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Infrastructure projects of Kerala with a futuristic vision

By V Somasundaram, IAS, Additional Chief Secretary, Industries & S Ramnath, Managing Director, KINFRA

T

he demand/supply gap of various infrastructure sectors has been widening over the years and the unmet demand is expected to widen the gap substantially over the next few years.

Increasingly, Governments across the globe are seeking to transform their roles - from being exclusive financiers, managers, and operators of infrastructure to being the facilitators and regulators of services provided primarily by private firms. The State Government is also facing an increasing demand to ensure the availability of high quality infrastructural services and is expected to do so in a timely and cost-effective manner. The private participation through the concession route can minimise the impact on the Government’s capital budget and also enable the Government to implement the required infrastructure projects at a time when it cannot itself provide the requisite funds. Alternatively, it can leave the Government free to use its financial resources for other schemes, which may be of less interest to the private sector.

Infrastructure Vision The idea is to plan and provide adequate infrastructure to enable and

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catalyse investments and developments in the productive sectors.

Focus Areas

Land Development Hubs -- Industrial & IT parks, Development corridors l Connectivity -- Transportation -- Roads ,

IWT, and ICT l Utilities -- Power and Water and waste water l Tourism and Hospitality l Civic Amenities -- Townships, Leisure and Entertainment & Waste Management l Health and Education In a land-starved state like Kerala, the biggest challenge to any major development project is the availability of land and the provisioning of such land without affecting the highly sensitive socio-ecological factors. The State is targeting a consolidation of 10000 acres through pooling/ acquisition etc and making it ready for development. l l

Transportation Roads: Kerala has a fairly well-developed road

network with the highest road density in the country of 3.85 kms/ Sq.km. but with surfaced roads constituting only 31% of the total road length of the state, the quality of the available road infrastructure is very poor and needs to be improved. Agencies maintaining roads in the State include State PWD, Panchayats, Corpora-

Chamravattom Regulator-cum-Bridge tions, Municipalities, Irrigation Department, NHAI etc. The share of National Highways in the state is 2.04%, whereas the share of all registered vehicles with the state is 4.8%. Though Kerala’s road network is seemingly very large, at 2,19,805 kms, this network cannot meet the requirement mobility for a state of Kerala’s size and population.

Inland Water Transport: Waterways have always been an important mode of transport in

Kerala. The total length of the navigable route in Kerala is 1990 kms. The canals form about 46 per cent while the navigable rivers constitute the remaining 54 per cent of the waterways. Of the total navigable route of 1990 kms, only about 300 kms of canals are suitable for mechanised crafts.

The continuous canal from Trivandrum to Badagara and from Kattampalli to Hosdurg, known as the West Coast Canal, is proposed to be extended to the northern and the southern boundaries of the

State. Apart from cargo movement, these canals have made backwater tourism immensely popular.

Ports: Kerala has a long coastline of about 600 kms. Along this coast, there are a major port at Cochin, three intermediate ports and 14 minor ports. All the intermediate and minor ports of the State are lighterage ports. Most minor and intermediate ports in Kerala lack draught. At present, the minor and intermediate ports of Kerala handle very insignificant tonnage of cargo. Cochin port, one of the major ports, has a hinterland that includes the whole of Kerala and parts of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. Apart from dry storage accommodation at Cochin port, there are liquid storage tanks for storing cashew shell liquid, liquid ammonia and phosphoric acid.

Power: Power sector development in Kerala has been guided primarily by resource endowments within the State. Power development has been based mainly on exploitation of hydropower.

Until mid-eighties, Kerala was a power surplus state supplying power to the other States. But the situation reversed from 1986-87 onwards as the State began importing power in large quantities to meet the over-growing demand with limited generating capacity.

Tourism: In Kerala, tourism has emerged as one of the few economic alternatives to develop the state economy. It has been recognised as an important sector for development on account of its potential for generating income and employment. Ever since tourism was declared an industry, several incentives, which were available to investors in other industrial sectors, have been extended to the tourism sector as well by the State government. These include subsidies, technical guidance, marketing assistance, publicity through

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government publications, help in availing loans etc. Some of the features that make Kerala an incredibly attractive tourism proposition include beaches, backwaters, wildlife sanctuaries, evergreen forests, and the diverse flora and fauna. The state is endowed with unique natural, cultural and social resources. A happy co-existence of tradition and modernity, the native colour and character of festivals and the uniqueness of the backwaters are the facets that make Kerala tourism attractive.

Information Technology: Kerala has made considerable progress in formulating plans and establishing the IT infrastructure in the State by computerising government departments and laying the IT backbone across the State. The Internet revolution has led to higher demand for bandwidth requirement. The major growth drivers for increased Internet usage include the State’s literacy rate, among the highest in the country, and high growth potential for services sector.

Kerala holds a unique position, as it is the proposed terminating point of two major submarine cable systems (SAFE and SEA-ME-WE3). The capacities provided by these cable systems would be enough to take care of Kerala’s Bandwidth requirement for several years.

Technopark: Technopark, Trivandrum, is India’s first technology park and among the three largest IT parks in India today. Spread over 300 acres, and about 4.5 m. sq.ft. of built-up space, Technopark hosts over 225 IT and ITES compa-

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nies, employing over 30,000 IT Professionals.

Technopark is the only IT Park in India having ISO 9001:2008; ISO 14001:2004; OHSAS 18001:2007 and CMMI Level 4 certifications.

Infopark: Infopark, Kochi, is the new IT Park being developed by the Government of Kerala.

Infopark Kochi is spread over 100.86 acres at Kakkanad village, Kanayannur Taluk, Ernakulam district. Around 80 acres have been notified as an

IT sector Specific Economic Zone by the Ministry of Commerce, Government of India. Apart from Infopark-owned infrastructure, parallel developments by co-developers such us Leela Soft, L&T Techpark and Brigade Enterprises are also taking shape in the campus.

Cyber park: The Government of Kerala launched CyberPark for the IT and infrastructure development of the northern region of the State. Its first

project is the development of Cyberpark in Kozhikode. Accommodating a number of reputed educational institutions, including the Indian Institute of Management and the National Institute of Technology, Kozhikode has been in the radar of the IT/ITES investors for a number of years now.

Kochi Metro Rail Project: The Kochi Metro Rail Project is a long-cherished dream of the residents of Kochi city. The project will boost economic growth as well as enhance the quality of life of the citizens by providing them an alternate mode of public transport. The Metro Rail is safe, eco-friendly, and economical. Apart from providing connectivity, the project will bring about a more equitable allocation of road space by encouraging greater use of public transport.

Kannur International Airport: Kannur International Airport Limited (KIAL) is in the process of selecting the agency for executing the work. The airport is to be spread over 2,000 acres. About 1276.03 acres have already been acquired and the procedures for acquisition of the remaining area are in progress. KINFRA is the nodal agency for its implementation.

Cochin International Airport Limited (CIAL) is the project consultant. The Detailed Project Report has been prepared by CIAL for establishment of an airport that meets international standards.

High Speed Rail Corridor: The gov-

ernment has decided to go ahead with the High Speed Rail Corridor, connecting Thiruvananthapuram to Kasaragod trains running at a speed of more than 200 kilometres per hour. The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation has conducted the feasibility study.

Monorail Project: The Kerala Government has roped in the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) as project consultants for the monorail project for Thiruvananthapuram city. The 41.8km elevated rail-based mass rapid transit system is to come up along the Mangalapuram-UlloorOverbridge- Killipalam-Neyyattinkara corridor.

The National Transportation Planning and Research Centre has already conducted the feasibility study for the project. The Phase I of 22.2 km, from Pallippuram to Thampanoor, is expected to be commissioned by 2016.

Kochi International Container Transshipment Terminal: Vallarpadam Terminal is the largest single operator container terminal in India and the first in the country to operate in a special economic zone. The terminal makes Kochi a key centre in the shipping world, reducing India’s dependence on foreign ports to handle transshipment. In the first phase, there will be 600 m Quay length and a draft of more than 15 m, when the terminal may handle 1 million TEU container annually by the end of 2012. The total cost of the project is estimated at Rs 3200 crore. Strategically, located on the main east-west global shipping lines and offering draft of about 16 m, Cochin is destined to develop as the premier gateway to southern India, as also offering an alternative to Sri Lanka and Singapore for containers being transshipped for the Indian market.

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Vizhinjam International Seaport The Government of Kerala, as part of its various programmes for development of the state, will develop the Vizhinjam International Deep Water Multipurpose Seaport. It has formed a separate company, Vizhinjam International Seaport Limited (VISL), as a special purpose government company (fully owned by Government of Kerala) that would act as implementing agency for development of the greenfield port at Vizhinjam in Thiruvananthapuram district, Kerala.

Advantages of Vizhinjam are: availability of 20m contour within one nautical mile from the coast, minimal littoral drift along the coast, non-requirement of maintenance dredging, and proximity to international shipping routes. The port development is proposed to follow the landlord port model.

KINFRA Food Processing Park, Malappuram Petrochemical Complex ity of 10,000 tonnes and plants for producing A market survey has established scope for Titanium metal and downstream products. The setting up a project for manufacturing Propylene proposed plant will be located adjacent to Kerala Oxide utilising Propylene available with BPCLMinerals and Metals Ltd (KMML), Chavara, a Kochi Refinery. KSIDC has a proposal for setting Government-owned company producing Titanium up a Propylene-based petrochemical complex at products. About 300 acres have been identified Kochi. The estimated investment for setting up for the project. the above project is Rs 1000 crore.

Industrial Corridor Titanium Sponge Project, Kollam The Kochi-Coimbatore, Kochi-Kasaragod The Government of Kerala proposes to set up Industrial Corridor is designed to utilise the a Titanium Complex in Kollam district, consisting existing infrastructure and new projects like LNG of a Titanium Sponge Plant with an annual capac-

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Terminal, ICTT Vallarpadam, LNG Pipelines, and High Speed Rail Corridor. The vision of the project is to create strong economic base with global competitive environment and state-ofthe-art infrastructure to activate local commerce, enhance foreign investment, and attain sustainable development.

The goals of the project are to double the employment, industrial output, and exports within a period of five years. The first phase of the project will begin with 5,000 hectares in the Kochi-Coimbatore route.

LNG Terminal, Kochi The Terminal is being implemented by Petronet LNG Ltd, a joint venture of ONGC, GAIL, IOC and BPCL. Capacity of the LNG Regasification Terminal in the 1st phase is 2.5 Million TPA. The location is inside the Cochin Port SEZ at Puthuvypeen, Kochi. The project aims to supply Re-gasified LNG (R-LNG) to various

customers in power, fertiliser, and other industrial sectors, and for City Gas Distribution (CGD) in the Southern States of Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, with the pipeline infrastructure in place. The project cost of phase I is estimated to be Rs 3,600 crore.

GAIL Pipe Line Project GAIL has proposed to lay a gas pipeline

from the Kochi LNG Terminal to various bulk consumers of gas in Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. GAIL is laying the pipeline in the following routes, for supply of R-LNG from the Kochi Terminal: Kochi-Koottanad-Bangalore-Mangalore Pipe Line (KKBMPL) and Sub-Sea Gas pipeline from Kochi to NTPC, Kayamkulam. The total project cost is estimated at Rs 3,700 crore.

Gas-based Thermal Power Project, Cheemeni, Kasargod Development of a thermal power project at Cheemeni, Kasaragod has been proposed.

The project requires an area of 2,000 acres.

A Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) with 50:50 equity participation by KSIDC and KSEB is being formed for the project. The Government of Kerala will provide land on lease and obtain clearances and Viability Gap Funding Grant to the extent of Rs 500 crore, covering a period of five years.

SmartCity Kochi SmartCity Kochi will be a self-sustained industrial township for knowledge-based companies located in the city of Kochi. SmartCity Kochi will be one of India’s largest business parks. Based on the successful models of Dubai Internet City, Dubai Media City, and Dubai Knowledge Village, SmartCity Kochi will provide an infrastructure, environment, and support systems to promote the growth of knowledgebased industry companies.

The project has an employment generation potential of over 90,000 jobs. Multiplier effects are expected to bring several other benefits to the state.

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Living Legends...

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Genius of Indian cinema M

Adoor Gopalakrishnan

Film director, scriptwriter, and producer

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outatthu ‘Adoor’ Gopalakrishnan Unnithan is a sixteen-time National Award-winning film director, scriptwriter, producer, and writer on cinema. Pioneer of the new wave cinema movement in Kerala, he has been honoured with the Padma Vibhushan, the Dada Saheb Phalke Award for lifetime achievement, and the Legion of Honour by France, among other national and international awards and recognitions.

Born on July 3, 1941, into a family that patronised Kathakali and other performing arts, Adoor started acting on the amateur stage at the age of eight. He had written and directed several stage plays during his student days. He did his graduation from Gandhigram Rural University in 1960, specialising in Economics, Political Science, and Public Administration.

He left the governmental job of a statistical investigator to study cinema at the Film and Television Institute of India, Pune, in 1962. Upon graduating in1965 with specialisation in screenplay writing and advanced film direction, he pioneered the film society movement in Kerala and took the initiative to form India’s first film co-

operative for production, distribution, and exhibition of quality films, Chalachithra Sahakarana Sangham. He has scripted and directed 11 feature films and about 30 short films and documentaries. His debut film, Swayamvaram, went on to win the National Awards for best film, best director, best cameraman, and best Adoor has scripted actress. He has won the and directed 11 feaNational Award for best film twice, best director five ture films and about times, best feature film in 30 short films and Malayalam six times, and best script two times. Win- documentaries. He ner of the Kerala State Film has won the National Award 17 times, Adoor’s third feature, Elippathayam, Award 16 times and won him the coveted Britthe French Legion of ish Film Institute Award for ‘the most original and Honour imaginative film’ of 1982.

Among other awards, the International Film Critics Prize has gone to him six times successively for Mukhamukham, Anantaram, Mathilukal, Vidheyan, Kathapurushan, and Nizhalkkuthu. He has also served on the film festival juries of Venice, Singapore, Hawaii, Alexandria, New Delhi, Sochi, and Shanghai.

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Chief strategist at the Centre A

A K Antony

Union Defence Minister

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s India’s longest serving Union Defence Minister at a stretch, Arackaparambil Kurien Antony is known for utmost probity in public life and transparency in governance. He is a stickler for values, never compromising with instances of corruption that threaten to undermine the social fabric.

The prompt and timely action in the Sukna Land scam, the Adarsh Housing Society scam, and the Tatra truck deal scam cases only reflects his steely resolve against corruption.

Born on December 28, 1940, into a Syrian Christian family, at Cherthala in Alappuzha district, Antony completed his primary education in his hometown. Later, he graduated in arts and law. A three-time Chief Minister of Kerala, Antony was the youngest man to lead the state at the age of 37.

During his tenure as Chief Minister, he had introduced the Unemployment Allowance, Prohibition of arrack, and several initiatives to revive the economy of Kerala. He has also served as the Union Minister for Civil Supplies.

Antony stepped into politics as a student leader. He had actively taken part in many strikes such as the Oru Ana Samaram (Single Penny Strike).

The youngest President of Kerala Students Union in 1966, he had also served the Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) before becoming an All India Congress Committee (AICC) General Secretary in 1984.

An advocate and social worker, he is currently a member of the Rajya Sabha. The prompt and timely Antony also serves as the action in the Sukna Chairman of the AICC Disciplinary Action Committee Land scam, Adarsh and member of the Central Housing Society Election Committee and the Congress Working Commit- scam, and Tatra truck tee. He is a senior member deal scam cases only of the Cabinet Commitreflects the Union tees on Accommodation, Economic Affairs, Political Defence Minister’s Affairs, and Security, and is steely resolve against the Chairperson of EGoM on pricing and commercial corruption utilisation, and head of the EGoM on ultra-mega power projects.

Under Antony’s leadership, the biggest-ever Indian defence deal, involving the procurement of Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft, is currently at the stage of commercial discussions.

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A perpetual experimenter P

Prof A Ramachandran Artist

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rof A Ramachandran is a renowned artist who has contributed significantly to the Indian art scene.

Born in 1935 in Attingal, Kerala, this painter was awarded the Padma Bhushan, India’s third highest civilian honour, in 2005 for his unique contributions to the field of fine arts.

He had received his Masters in Malayalam literature from Kerala University, and Diploma in Fine Arts from Santiniketan.

Honoured with the title of ‘Professor Emeritus’ by Jamia Millia Islamia University, New Delhi, he was elected a Fellow of the Lalit Kala Akademi in 2002.

A perpetual experimenter, he is known for his mastery over lines and colour. He transposes the visible reality into tropes, expressing a personal philosophy, an idealised vision of the world. Nature plays a pivotal role in his artistic creations. For the last 20 years, he has been depicting the varying moods of the natural environment.

The bustling theatre of nature transforms the space into a complex and rich tapestry, leading to a sense of drama in his art. Another intrigu-

ing development in his oeuvre is a series of portrait heads of tribal men and women, which have emerged as a genre that gained momentum since 2005.

He had studied art under masters like Ramkinkar Baij and Benodebehari Mukherjee at VisvaA perpetual experiBharati University’s menter, he is known for Kala Bhavana.

The cultural and his mastery over lines intellectual milieu of and colour. He transSantiniketan drew him closer to the art tradiposes the visible reality tions of India and other into tropes, expressing eastern civilisations.

He had joined Jamia a personal philosophy, Millia Islamia Univeran idealised vision of sity as a lecturer in art education in 1965. He the world took voluntary retirement from teaching in 1992 to devote all his time to creative pursuits. His first solo exhibition was held at Kumar Gallery, New Delhi, in 1966. Since then, he has held more than 15 large solo exhibitions of paintings, sculptures, water colours, graphics, and drawings in major Indian cities.

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Noted academician, corporate trainer P

Prof Abraham Koshy

Teacher, consultant and corporate trainer

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rof Abraham Koshy is a reputed academician, researcher, consultant, and corporate trainer.

A post-graduate in Business Administration from Cochin University of Science and Technology, Prof Koshy took his Doctoral Degree with specialisation in Marketing from the Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad.

Prof Koshy started his career with the Union Bank of India in 1976.

After a short stint there, he had entered the field of academics by joining the School of Management Studies, Cochin University, and thereafter, the Centre for Management Development, Thiruvananthapuram. In 1989, he had joined the IIM, Ahmedabad, as a faculty member.

Currently, Prof Koshy is a Visiting Professor at European School of Management, Paris, and Glasgow University, UK. He was a Visiting Professor at the Department of Marketing at Strathclyde Business School, Strathclyde University, UK. Prof Koshy has co-authored a book on marketing management, Marketing Management: A South Asian Perspective, along with the legendary marketing guru Prof Philip Kotler and others.

He is also the co-author of Growth and Transformations of Small Firms in India and co-editor of Managing Alternatives, and Marketing of Information Products and Services.

He has published several research papers and case studies in reputed journals such as Revue Francaise Prof Koshy has codu Marketing, Asian authored a book on Journal of Marketing, Vikalpa - The Journal marketing management for Decision Makers, along with the legendand IIMB Management Review. Since ary marketing guru May 2007, Prof AbraProf Philip Kotler and ham Koshy has been the Non-Executive others. He has also Independent Director published case studies of Federal Bank Ltd. Prof Koshy is also a in reputed journals Director of Malayala Manorama Printing and Publishing Co, and Autoline Industries Ltd. He is Chairman of the Risk Management Committee, Customer Service & Marketing Strategy Committee, and Committee for Human Resources Policy of Federal Bank Ltd, and also member of its Nomination, Remuneration and Ethics Committee.

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An endearing doctor D

Dr Abraham Verghese Medical professor, writer

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r Abraham Verghese, MD, MACP, is a Professor for Theory and Practice of Medicine at Stanford University School of Medicine, and Senior Associate Chair of the Department of Internal Medicine.

He is the author of three best-selling books, two memoirs, and a novel.

In 2011, he secured membership at the prestigious Institute of Medicine, US. Born to a teacher duo in 1955, Dr Verghese grew up near Addis Ababa and began his medical training there.

Following the deposition of Ethiopia’s Emperor Haile Selassie and civil unrest in 1974, he briefly joined his parents, who had moved to the US, and worked as an orderly there for a year before coming to India to complete his medical education at Madras Medical College.

He then returned to the US for his residency in Johnson City, Tennessee, from 1980 to 1983, followed by Fellowship at Boston University School of Medicine. After that, he worked at Boston City Hospital for two years, where he first saw the early signs of the HIV epidemic.

Later, when he returned to John-

son City as an Assistant Professor of Medicine, he witnessed the second epidemic, that of rural AIDS. He had cared for numerous AIDS patients in an era when little could be done to help them.

Dr Verghese’s earlier work as an orderly, and the insights he had gained from his involvement with AIDS paDr Verghese’s earlier tients became the basis work as an orderly, for his first book, My Own Country: A Docand the insights he tor’s Story.

He was the Professor had gained from his of Medicine, and Chief involvement with AIDS of the Division of Infecpatients became the tious Diseases at Texas Tech Health Sciences basis for his first book, Center in El Paso, and My Own Country: A the Founding Director of the Center for Doctor’s Story Medical Humanities & Ethics at the University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio.

His deep interest in bedside medicine, and his reputation as a clinician, teacher, and writer paved the way for his recruitment at Stanford University in 2007 as a tenured Professor.

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The man behind Rediff.com A

Ajit Balakrishnan Internet entrepreneur

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jit Balakrishnan is a renowned first generation entrepreneur and business executive. He had started his career with an advertising agency before the advent of the technology companies. After working for about ten months there, he left the job.

A 1971 alumnus of the Indian Institute of Management-Calcutta, Ajit and his friends Diwan Arun Nanda, and Mohammed Khan had met one evening in 1973 for a discussion on the state of creativity in the field of advertising. That meeting sowed the seeds of Rediffusion-Dentsu, Young & Rubicam, one of the most successful and largest advertising agencies in the country that has evolved into a truly integrated communications company over the years. That was just the first wave of innovation at the age of 22.

After the advertising venture, he co-founded PSI Data Systems in the mid-eighties along with two partners from Stanford. At the age of 42, the inventive streak in Ajit guided him to combine creativity, technology, and content and establish a revolutionary internet venture, Rediff.com. As the Founder, Chairman, and CEO of Mumbai-based Rediff.com, Ajit not only

revolutionised the internet business, but also weathered through the dotcom bubble years by proving the credentials of his company as the provider of quality content. Even today, Rediff.com is one of India’s early dotcom companies that commands loyalty among Indian netizens.

The Nasdaq-listed At the age of 42, the Rediff.com has for long been considered a inventive streak in Ajit takeover target for inBalakrishnan guided ternet giants like Google and Yahoo. Founded him to combine creain 1996, Rediff.com tivity, technology, and has offices in New content and establish Delhi, Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad, a revolutionary inand New York. Rediff. com provides a vibrant ternet venture called platform for Indians Rediff.com worldwide to connect with one another.

Rediff.com is committed to offering a personalised and secure surfing and shopping environment. Ajit is also the Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Indian Institute of ManagementCalcutta. According to Ajit, a true entrepreneur knows he may fail, but that is not part of his primary focus.

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Versatile literary personality A

Akkitham Achuthan Namboothiri Poet and social worker

96

kkitham Achuthan Namboothiri, fondly known as Akkitham, is a veteran Malayalam language poet, wellknown social worker, essayist, editor, and highly decorated literary personality among the contemporary writers.

Born in Kumaranallur in Palakkad district of Kerala, Akkitham’s literary works began to gain wide attention in the early 1950s. One of his poems, titled Irupatham Noottandinte Ithihasam (Epic of the 20th Century), is reckoned by many in the literary field as the work that heralded modernism in Malayalam poetry. This poetic masterpiece brought him the Sanjayan Award in 1952. In all, some 45 collections of his poems, plays, and short stories have been published. Another noted, award-winning poetic work of Akkitham is Balidarsanam (Vision of Bali), which fetched him the Kendra Sahitya Akademi Award in 1973. Arangettam, Nimisha Kshetram, Idinju Polinja Lokam, Amritaghatika, Akkithattinte Teranjedutta Kavitakal, and Kalikkottilil are among his other distinguished poetic works, while Upanayanam and Samavarttanam are his noted essays. Akkitham’s translation of the Srimad Bhagavatam is his life’s most valued work. Comprising 14,613

verses, the translation runs into 2,400 pages. Akkitham also had a keen interest in bringing about social reforms. As a member of the Yogakshema Sabha, Akkitham was instrumental in bringing about certain social reforms among the Namboothiri Brahmins of Kerala. He was also very actively Akkitham’s translation involved in the promoof the Srimad Bhagavtion of Vedic studies in association with the atam is his life’s most famous Vedic Study valued work. ComprisCentres at Thirunavaya, Kadavalloor, ing 14,613 verses, and Thrissur. He made the translation runs efforts to achieve proliferation of Vedic into 2,400 pages. He studies among nonis a recipient of the Brahmins. A vociferous spokesperson Ezhuthachan Award against untouchability, he demonstrated his unwavering support by participating in the Paliyam Sathyagraha (peaceful protest) against untouchability in 1947. He is also a recipient of the Ezhuthachan Award, and the Moorti Devi Award of the Jnanpith Award Committee. Noted painter Akkitham Narayanan is his younger brother.

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Creator of mellifluous melodies A

A R Rahman Music genius

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llah Rakha Rahman is a world renowned composer, singer, music producer, musician, multi-instrumentalist, and philanthropist. An Oscar award winner for the best original music score, and the best original song in the film Slumdog Millonaire, Rahman is the pride of Kerala. Having inherited music talents from his father R K Shekar, a Malayali, Rahman is known as the world’s most prominent and prolific film composer today. In his works, he has integrated Eastern classical music with electronic music sounds, world music genres, and traditional orchestral arrangements. Rahman made his debut with the Mani Ratnam-directed Tamil film Roja as a film scorer in 1990s, creating ripples in the history of music.

Since then, he has worked in various film industries within India, and international cinema and theatre, belting out a number of everlasting hits and mellifluous melodies.

He has reportedly sold more than 300 million records worldwide of his film scores and soundtracks as of 2009, making him one of the world’s all-time top selling recording artists. Skilled in Carnatic music, Western classical, Hindustani music, and the Qawwali style

of Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, Rahman has won two Academy Awards, two Grammy Awards, a BAFTA Award, a Golden Globe, four National Film Awards, 15 Filmfare Awards, and 13 Filmfare Awards South in addition to numerous other honours and nominations. He was honoured with the Padma Bhushan in 2010.

Rahman has reportedNicknamed the Mozart of Madras, his latest works ly sold more than 300 which gained wide popumillion records worldlarity are the songs from the films Vinnaithaandi wide of his film scores Varuvaaya, Enthiran, and soundtracks as of Rockstar and the Punjabi track which was com2009, making him one posed for the grand openof the world’s all-time ing ceremony of the 2012 London Olympics. top selling recording Having set up his own artists in-house studio called Panchathan Record Inn at Chennai, unarguably one of Asia’s most sophisticated and high-tech studios, Rahman is currently one of the highest paid composers of the film industry. He is a noted humanitarian and philanthropist, donating and raising money for beneficial causes, and supporting charities.

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Patriarch of line arts K

Artist Namboothiri Painter and sculptor

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aruvattu Mana Vasudevan Namboothiri, popularly known as Artist Namboothiri, is a well-known painter and sculptor. The winner of the Raja Ravi Varma Award for the year 2003, he is the patriarch of line arts in Kerala. His genuine style of line sketches has brought him accolades from the artistic community across the world.

Born at Karuvattu Mana of Ponnani, he was influenced by the sculptures at the Shukapuram temple near his house. He was a disciple of well-known artist K C S Paniker. He also drew inspiration from renowned painters like Debi Prasad Roy Chowdhury, and S Dhanapal.

Artist Namboothiri studied painting at Madras School of Fine Arts.

He has illustrated many popular characters for literary publications in Kerala. He has also done illustrations for several leading authors in Malayalam, such as Thakazhy Shivasankara Pillai, Kesavadev, M T Vasudevan Nair (for whom he illustrated the novel Randamoozham), Uroob, S K Pottekkatt, Edasseri Govindan Nair, and VKN. He is also a proponent of ‘finger painting’, and does copper

sheet relief work, having mounted an exhibition of metal reliefs on copper plates depicting the Ramayana and the Independence struggle.

As chairman of the Kerala Lalitakala Akademi, Artist Namboothiri took upon himself the task of setting up an own building for Born at Karuvattu the centre in Thrissur, Mana of Ponnani, he which till then was working from rented was influenced by space. He was also the the sculptures at the key figure behind the conversion of the DurShukapuram temple bar Hall in Kochi into near his house. Naman art gallery. A documentary has been made boothiri was a disciple on the life and works of well-known artist of Artist Namboothiri, titled Namboodiri: K C S Paniker Varayude Kulapathy, directed by Binuraj Kalapeedhom. He has received numerous awards, including the State Award for best art direction for the Malayalam film Uttarayanam, and Kerala State Institute of Children’s Literature Bala Sahitya Award for best illustration for his work in Kuttikalude Ramayanam (Ramayana for children).

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The bond of blood and activism A

Mary Roy

Educator, activist

Arundhati Roy

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Writer, activist

rundhati Roy is a noted social activist, National Award-winning screen writer, and author of the Man Booker Prize-winning novel The God of Small Things. The book, which reached the fourth position on The New York Times’ best sellers list of Independent Fiction in 1997, is a semi-autobiographical account, a major part of it capturing her childhood experiences in Aymanam, a village in Kottayam district of Kerala.

Born to a Bengali Hindu tea planter and a Malayali Syrian Christian, Arundhati did her schooling at Corpus Christi, Kottayam, and Lawrence School, Lovedale, in Nilgiris, Tamil Nadu. She then studied architecture at the School of Planning and Architecture, Delhi. In the early part of her career, she acted in an award-winning film, Massey Sahib (1984), directed by her filmmaker husband Pradip Krishen. She then wrote the screenplay for two films, In Which Annie Gives It Those Ones (1989), and Electric Moon (1992).

She won the National Film Award for Best Screenplay in 1989 for In Which Annie Gives It Those Ones. After the success of her award-winning novel

in 1997, she mainly devoted herself to non-fiction, politics, and social causes. Arundhati was awarded the Sydney Peace Prize in May 2004 for her social campaigns and advocacy of non-violence. In January 2006, she was awarded the Sahitya Akademi Award for her collection of essays, The Al- The Man Booker gebra of Infinite Justice. But she declined to accept it for prize-winning novelpolitical reasons. In Novem- ist won the National ber 2011, she was awarded the Norman Mailer Prize for Film Award for Best Distinguished Writing.

Screenplay in 1989 for Arundhati’s mother Mary, an educator and wom- In Which Annie Gives en’s rights activist, has alIt Those Ones. Arundways inspired the activist in hati has also won the her. Mary won a lawsuit in 1986 against the inheritance Sydney Peace Prize legislation of the Keralite Syrian Christian community in the Supreme Court. This remarkable judgment ensured equal rights for Syrian Christian women with their male siblings in their ancestral property. Now living in Kottayam, Mary is the Founder-Director of Pallikoodam School (formerly Corpus Christi High School).

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Healthcare beyond boundaries D

Dr Azad Moopen

Entrepreneur, philanthropist

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r Azad Moopen is a renowned physician-turned-entrepreneur.

His father, Ahmed Unni Moopen, was actively involved in the freedom struggle during the 1940s. Inspired by his father to serve society, Dr Moopen completed MBBS with a gold medal, MD in General Medicine from Calicut Medical College, Kerala, and diploma in Chest Diseases from Delhi University. He had served as a lecturer in Delhi University for five years before relocating to Dubai in 1987 to start his medical practice there.

Today, Dr Moopen is the Chairman of DM Healthcare, which owns and operates one of the largest healthcare networks in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries – from hospitals to poly clinics, pharmacies and diagnostic centres. He has also been actively involved in the development of healthcare facilities in India. He had established the 600bed tertiary care Malabar Institute of Medical Sciences (MIMS) Hospital at Kozhikode in Kerala in 2001, and the 150-bed MIMS Hospital at Kottakkal in Malappuram district in 2009.

MIMS is the first multi-specialty hospital in India to receive the National

Accreditation Board for Hospitals & Healthcare Providers’ accreditation in 2007.

Dr Moopen’s Group is setting up a medical college at Wayanad, a MIMS Curie Cancer Centre at Kozhikode, and Community Dialysis Centres in several parts of the state. It has also embarked on a project to establish a medical city in He is the Chairman of Kochi. It has been conductDM Healthcare, which ing free medical camps for labourers in different GCC owns and operates countries. one of the largest In 2008, the MIMS Charitable Trust established healthcare networks in a Rural Health Centre at the the Gulf Cooperation backward Vazhayur Panchayat near Kozhikode and Council countries – provided free treatment to 7,000 BPL people. Dr Moo- from hospitals to poly pen also started the Save clinics and pharmacies the Little Heart programme in Dubai in March 2009 to spread awareness and collected about Rs 65 lakh for the cardiac surgery of 60 children from poor backgrounds.

He was honoured by the government with the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman in 2010, and the Padma Shri in 2011.

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A spirited activist, academic D

Dr Ekbal Bappukunju Neurosurgeon, academic

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r Ekbal Bappukunju is a public health activist, neurosurgeon, and academic from Kerala. He was the Vice-Chancellor of University of Kerala from 2000–04, the Chairman of the Kerala State Pollution Control Board, and a member of the Kerala State Planning Board from 1996 to 2000, during which he played a vital role in People’s Plan Campaign, a decentralisation move by the Kerala government.

Dr Ekbal is also the convenor of Jan Swasthya Abhiyan (Public Health Movement). He was the chairperson of an expert committee set up by the Kerala government to explore the possibility of setting up a new university structure of medical research and academics. The committee submitted its report on the proposed structure and functions of the university in April 2007. An activist of Kerala Sastra Sahitya Parishad, he has held various positions in the organisation.

Known for his strong views against Intellectual Property Rights (IPR), he defines Intellectual Property as “creations of the human mind”.

“IPRs are nothing more than statemandated monopolies. The idea be-

hind such rights is that the fundamentals of an invention are made public, while the inventor, for a limited time, has the exclusive right to make, use, or sell the invention. Discoverers and inventors are thought to deserve special reward or privilege because of the benefit of their He was the chairperson discoveries or invenof the expert comtions to society. Public good is not considered mittee set up by the a reward in itself…

Government of Kerala The whole argument regarding IPR is built to explore the possibilon a contradiction, ity of setting up a new that in order to promote the development university structure of of ideas, it is necesmedical research and sary to reduce the freedom with which academics people can use them,” says Dr Ekbal.

On the education front, he says that since the majority of the backward community students are now depending on the arts and science colleges in the state to complete their education, the state government should pay proper attention to their problems.

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Ambani of the Gulf B

B Ravi Pillai NRI businessman

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Ravi Pillai, popularly known as ‘Ambani of the Gulf’, is a veteran industrialist based in the Middle East.

He is the Founder and Managing Director of the construction services firm Nasser S Al Hajri Corporation (NSH), and Petrochem, Saudi Arabia.

He is the largest employer of Indians in the Middle East, with 60,000 people working for him. Born at Chavara in Kollam district of Kerala, he migrated to the Gulf in 1978 and started NSH with 150 people. NSH got its first break when it secured a project from a French company for construction of an underground parking for airplanes.

The next big project was the Royal Terminal for $50 million. The company is engaged in construction jobs at oil and gas refineries and petrochemical companies in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, and the UAE. While the company is a leading player in the Gulf region in terms of construction jobs in the oil and gas industry, it has diversified into other sectors such as steel and cement plants. Over the years, Pillai has built a relationship of trust with various governments in the Gulf region, mainly with the huge success of his company. As a result, those who secure

employment in his company don’t face problems while procuring visas and work permits. Besides providing jobs for thousands of Indians in the Gulf, Pillai is also engaged in philanthropic activities in India. He had established the Upasana Hospital and Research Centre in Kollam. The hospital provides Founder and Managfree treatment to those ing Director of the from the weaker sections of society. Pillai has been construction services honoured with the Padma firm Nasser S Al Hajri Shri and the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman. In Corporation, Pillai is August 2011, he bought the largest employer the Kovalam Beach Resort from the Leela Group for of Indians in the MidRs 500 crore. He has also dle East, with 60,000 launched ‘The Raviz’, a five-star property in his people working for him hometown. His company NSH is also expanding operations elsewhere. It has already set up two companies in Australia. The first is NaSAH Australia Pty Ltd, which will provide industrial service for LNG and mining projects. The second is OGM Technical Institute Pty Ltd, which will work with recognised Australian technical and further education institutions.

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An IAS-turned-entrepreneur C

C Balagopal Entrepreneur

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Balagopal is a renowned entrepreneur and former Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer. Balagopal completed BA (Economics) and MA (Economics) from Loyola College, Madras University, with distinction, and made it to the IAS in 1977. After serving in various positions in Manipur and Kerala, Balagopal left public service to form a joint venture, Peninsula Polymers Ltd, with Kerala’s Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology to make innovative biomedical devices in India. The first company in India to produce blood bags using indigenous technology, Peninsula Polymers Ltd started exports in 1989 and soon set up an R&D centre at Puliyarakonam, near Thiruvananthapuram. In 1999, Tokyo-based Terumo Corporation signed a contract to acquire a 74 per cent share in Peninsula Polymers Limited. The new joint venture was renamed as Terumo Penpol Limited (TPL). TPL’s blood bag factory is the biggest of its kind in Asia, outside Japan, and employs around 1,000 people. The company also manufactures medical equipment used in the

collection, processing, and storage of blood components. The company’s products are used in more than 80 countries. The Terumo Group is one of the world’s top three companies in blood management. Balagopal and his company have received a number of awards and recognitions from the governAn IAS officer, Balagoment and other institutions, pal served in various including the Management Leadership Award from the positions in Manipur Trivandrum Management Asand Kerala before sociation, the National R&D Award for successful comleaving public service. mercialisation of indigenous He then formed a joint technology from the Ministry of Science and Technology, venture with Sree ChiGovernment of India, in 1995, tra Institute for Medical the National Export Award several times since 1994-95, Sciences & Technology the outstanding Entrepreneurship Award from Kerala State Industrial Development Corporation, and the Business Excellence Award from the Trivandrum Chamber of Commerce and Industry. A prolific writer, Balagopal has published many articles on blood transfusion business and presented several papers at international conferences.

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Pioneer in stock trading C

C J George Entrepreneur

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J George is a renowned corporate leader. He is the Founder and Managing Director of Geojit BNP Paribas Financial Services Ltd, Cochin. He is also the Director of Barjeel Geojit Securities LLC, Dubai, Al-Oula Geojit Capital Company, Riyadh, Geojit Technologies FZ LLC, Dubai, V-Guard Industries Ltd, Cochin, QBG Geojit Financial Services LLC, Oman, and BBK Geojit Securities KSCC, Kuwait.

Born on March 22, 1959, George, a certified financial planner, is also the managing committee member of the Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India, New Delhi, executive committee member of National Securities Depository Ltd, Mumbai, the Cochin Chamber of Commerce, and BNP Paribas Personal Investors, Paris, member of the Advisory Board of BNP Paribas Group India, Vice-Chairman of the Kerala State Council of Confederation of Indian Industry, chartered member of Tie Kerala, and an advisory committee member of Kerala Financial Corporation, Thiruvananthapuram.

He has held senior positions in various corporate organisations. He was

a member of the Southern Region Advisory Board of NSE, member of the executive committee as well as the settlement committee of NSE, member of the executive committee of OTCEI, member of the Capital Market Committee of SIDBI, member of the apex committee for derivatives of As promoter of Geojit, BSE, member of the Advisohe guided it to the top ry Board of National MultiCommodity Exchange Ltd, league of broking comAhmedabad, executive companies in the country. It mittee member of Financial Planning Standards Board has the rare distinction of India, and member of the of reporting profits and Southern Region Advisory Board of BSE. As promoter paying dividends every of Geojit, he guided it to the year since it started top league of broking companies in the country. Geojit operations in 1987 has the rare distinction of reporting profits and paying dividends every year ever since it started operations in 1987. It was also the first to start domestic retail broking operations in a foreign country.As part of the process of smooth succession at the top level management, he has announced his plans to step down from the post of MD by 2013.

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Driven by energy in business, life C

C K Menon

Philanthropist, entrepreneur

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heril Krishna Menon is a prominent philanthropist, and the Chairman and Managing Director of Behzad Group of Companies in the Middle East, Europe, and the US. His companies are mainly involved in fuel transportation by land and sea.

Recently, he also entered the field of steel manufacturing business.

Born in Thrissur in 1949, this law graduate completed his basic education at Thrissur CMS School, St Thomas College, and Kerala Varma College. After practising at the Thrissur Court and the Kerala High Court for two years, he entered the world of business.

As a philanthropist, Menon is at the helm of several social welfare and educational activities, both in India and abroad. Two years ago, he had built and handed over 100 houses to some slum-dwellers in Thrissur.

He has also played a major role in construction of houses at the ‘Laksham Veedu’ colony in Puthupally, and the ‘M N Laksham Veedu’ restoration project announced by the Kerala government.

Menon is the patron of ‘Adarsh’, a model charitable institution at Tri-

punithura in Ernakulam district that is engaged in the rehabilitation of children suffering from cerebral palsy and other motor-sensory childhood development disorders like autism.

Menon has also become a symbol of communal harmony by building a mosque for his Muslim brethren. He was As philanthropist, also deeply involved in the he is at the helm of establishment of the School of Bhagavat Gita in Thiruseveral social welvananthapuram. fare and educational He has received numerous awards, including the activities, both in India Pravasi Bharatiya Samman and abroad. He has in 2006, and the Padma Shri in 2009, for his contribuplayed a major role in tions to society. the ‘Laksham Veedu’ Menon is one of the directors of the Kerala projects of the Govt government’s expatriates’ welfare association Norka Roots.

He is also the Director of Infrastructure Kerala Ltd, set up by the Kerala government in 2007. Apart from these responsibilities, he is also the Director of Jai Hind TV channel, and a number of educational institutions in and outside Kerala.

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The man of flavours C

C V Jacob Entrepreneur

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V Jacob is a renowned corporate leader and the visionary behind the success of Synthite Industries Ltd. Born in 1933 into an orthodox Christian family at Kolenchery, Jacob took up the family business of civil engineering contracts at the age of 18. Realising the scope for further expansion, on his initiative, a partnership firm was set up in 1954, which then secured several prestigious civil engineering contracts. His engineering works in the early days of his career include the interconnecting tunnel of the Sabarigiri Project, the access tunnel to Moolamattom underground powerhouse, the diversion tunnel at Anairangal dam, the bridges at Kalarkutty Hydro Electric Project, and the National Highway project.

He made his maiden entry into the industrial front through Arborites (P) Ltd, in 1965, for manufacture of urea-formaldehyde resin. In 1967, he had established Slabs and Aggregates, a fully mechanised quarry and granite crushing unit, the first of its kind in Kerala, for the production of granite aggregates. With a pioneering start in 1972, Jacob entered the spice oleoresin industry and established Synthite Industrial Chemicals Ltd, now renamed as Synthite Industries Ltd. Started in a

small way, it has become a global leader in spice oleoresins with a group turnover of Rs 900 crore. Synthite has six manufacturing units in South India. The Chinese operation will begin in November 2012. Jacob has also established a private industrial park, Synthite Taste Park, in which there are two joint ventures C V Jacob is among for the manufacture of the first corporate flavours and seasonings - Aromco Flavours India leaders to implement Ltd and Symega Savoury the pension scheme Technology Ltd. He is among the first corporate in the private sector leaders to implement the in the early 1990s. He pension scheme in the private sector in the early has received the Udyog 1990s. He has received Patra Award from the many awards and honours for his contributions to the Vice-President industry, including the Udyog Patra Award from the Vice-President of India, the Vyvasayasree Award from the Ernakulam Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Appreciation Award from Fragrance and Flavour Association of India, the Jaycees Business Entrepreneur Award, and the Kerala Management Leadership Award from the Kerala Management Association.

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An outstanding physicist E

E C G Sudarshan Physicist, author

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nnackal Chandy George Sudarshan is an eminent Indian-American physicist, author, and professor at University of Texas, Austin, who has been passed over for the Physics Nobel Prize on more than one occasion.

Born into a Syrian Christian family, he graduated with honours from Madras Christian College in 1951. He obtained his Masters from University of Madras in 1952. Then he moved to Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR) and worked there for a brief period with nuclear physicist Homi Bhabha. Subsequently, he moved to University of Rochester in New York with Robert Marshak as a graduate student. In 1958, he received his PhD from University of Rochester. At this point, he moved to Harvard University to join Julian Schwinger as a post-doctoral fellow.

Sudarshan has made significant contributions to several areas of physics. He was the originator (with Robert Marshak) of the V-A theory of the weak force (also done later

by Richard Feynman and Murray Gell-Mann), which eventually paved the way for the electroweak theory.

He also developed a quantum rep-

resentation of coherent light (for which Glauber was awarded the 2005 Nobel).Sudarshan’s most significant work might be his contribution to the field of quantum optics. He was also the first to propose the existence of tachyons, particles that travel faster than light. He developed Sudarshan has made formalism called significant contributions dynamical maps that is one of the to several areas of physmost fundamental ics. He was the originaformalism to study the theory of open tor of the V-A theory of quantum system. He, the weak force, which in collaboration with Baidyanaith Misra, eventually paved the also proposed the way for the electroweak quantum Zeno effect.

His areas of inter- theory est include elementary particle physics, quantum optics, quantum information, quantum field theory, gauge field theories, classical mechanics, foundations of physics, and Vedanta. He has been awarded the Padma Vibhushan, Dirac Medal of ICTP, Majorana Prize, Bose Medal, and CV Raman Award.

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A pioneer in tourism sector E

E M Najeeb Entrepreneur

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M Najeeb is a Kerala-based first generation entrepreneur. He is the Chairman and Managing Director of Airtravel Enterprises (ATE) Group, doing business in diverse areas like Travel, Tourism & Hospitality, Tourism Consultancy, Aviation Support Services, Housing & Construction, Healthcare Management, Logistics, Information Technology, Advertising & Marketing and Event Management.

ATE Group has 15 ventures, 600 professionals, a group turnover of Rs 450 crore, offices at 17 locations across India, and four offices in the UAE. Najeeb is the Founder Chairman and Managing Director of Airtravel Enterprises India Limited, Chairman of the Great India Tour Company Private Limited, Executive Director of KIMS Healthcare Management Limited, Chairman of Green Gateway Leisure Limited, and the Chairman of a number of companies under the ATE Group brand.

He has been substantially contributing to the travel and tourism industry in Kerala for the last 36 years. He has contributed particularly to the growth of tourism in the state. His initiatives in developing a Public-Private Partnership in tourism

in Kerala, and his role in forming the Kerala Travel Mart Society (KTM) as a prime marketing tool of the tourism industry in Kerala are well-recognised. Similarly, his pioneering initiatives for Medical Value Travel, Golf Tourism and Helicopter Tourism in Kerala are well-known.

Najeeb has been Najeeb is the Pressubstantially contributident of the Confederation of Kerala Touring to the travel and ism Industry (CKTI), tourism industry in an umbrella organisation of various trade Kerala for the last 36 bodies in tourism, years. Currently, he and the Chairman of the Kerala Chapter of is the President of the the Indian AssociaConfederation of Kerala tion of Tour Operators (IATO) for the last 18 Tourism Industry years. He is a member of the Tourism Advisory Committee, Government of Kerala, member of the Committee on Responsible Tourism, Government of Kerala, member of Tourism Media Relations, Consultative Committee, Kerala, and member of the Hotel Classification Committee of the Government of India for Kerala region, among other high-powered panels.

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Man of wit and wisdom E

E P Unny

Political cartoonist

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P Unny is the Chief Political Cartoonist at The Indian Express, New Delhi. Honoured with the Lifetime Achievement Award by the Indian Institute of Cartoonists in 2009, he is a trustee with the Centre for Comic Arts, a foundation for the promotion and archiving of the satirical arts.

He did his schooling and college in Palakkad, Kerala. His first printed cartoon appeared in Shankar’s Weekly while he was in college. After graduating in Physics, he got into banking for a brief period before taking to professional cartooning in 1977 as the Staff Cartoonist with The Hindu in Chennai.

After 12 years, he moved to Delhi to join The Sunday Mail. In 1993, he joined The Economic Times for three years, after which came his long association with The Indian Express.

Unny has sketched and written extensively on Indian elections since 1989. In the tradition of G Aravindan, he extended the graphic narrative in Malayalam and went on to do the first Indian graphic serial in English, Free India, for the Sunday edition of The Indian Express in 1997.

He sketched and wrote Spices & Souls, A Doodler’s Journey through Kerala, a pictorial travel book in English brought out by DC Books, and Language, Landscape & Livelihoods, Sketches & Notes on Five Drought-prone Districts of Andhra Pradesh, a He has sketched and visual audit of drought relief commissioned written extensively on by the Andhra Pradesh Indian elections since government. His published cartoons in The 1989. In the tradition of Indian Express have been compiled by Rupa G Aravindan, he ex& Co as Business As tended the graphic Usual, Journey of the narrative in Malayalam Indian Express Cartoonist. His research pa- and did the first English per, The Indian Cartoon Art: A Paradigm for the Indian graphic serial Emerging Text and Image Experience is part of Quest of a Discipline, published

by Cambridge University Press. His work has been featured at The Asian Cartoonists conference in Tokyo, 1996, the International Cartoon Festival in Carquefou, France, 2006, and at Gallery SKE in Bengaluru as part of a comic art show in 2012.

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Metro Man of India E

E Sreedharan

Pioneer of Railway projects

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lattuvalapil Sreedharan is the Metro Man of India, and the architect of the 760-km-long Konkan Railway Project. Having laid the ground work for the country’s first-ever Metro in Kolkata from 1970 to 1975, he knew how not to repeat the mistakes of the past while gifting Delhi a state-of-the-art Metro rail system in 2002.

Born on July 12, 1932, in Palakkad, Kerala, Sreedharan studied at Victoria College in the district before graduating in engineering from Government Engineering College, Kakinada. While Sreedharan started off his career as a lecturer in civil engineering at Kerala Polytechnic in Kozhikode, he moved to the Bombay Port Trust as an apprentice, before joining the Indian Railways in its Service of Engineers. His first major challenge came in 1963, when a tidal wave washed away portions of the Pamban Bridge, which connected Rameshwaram with mainland Tamil Nadu. Though the Railways had set a target of six months for the bridge to be repaired, he got it restored in a record time of 46 days. He was awarded the Railway Minister’s Award for

this achievement. He then served as the Deputy Chief Engineer, in-charge of the implementation, planning, and design of Calcutta Metro in 1970.

Later, he served as the Chairman and Managing Director of the Cochin Shipyard. After retiring from Indian Railways in 1990, he was appointed His first major challenge as the CMD of Konkan came in 1963, when a Railway. In seven years’ time, he completed tidal wave washed away the Konkan Railway portions of the Pamban Project, the first major project in India to be Bridge, which connectundertaken on a BOT ed Rameshwaram with (Build-Operate-Transfer) basis. In 1997, he mainland Tamil Nadu. joined Delhi Metro as He restored the link in a its MD. He retired in 2011. Sreedharan was record time of 46 days awarded the Padma Vibhushan in 2008, the Chevalier de la Legion d’Honneur (Knight of the Legion of Honour) by the government of France in 2005, the Man of the Year by The Times of India in 2002, and named one of Asia’s Heroes by TIME in 2003. Currently, he is the Principal Advisor of the Kochi Metro Rail Project.

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Champion of space mission G

G Madhavan Nair Rocket scientist

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Madhavan Nair is the former Chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and Secretary to the Department of Space, Government of India. Awarded the Padma Vibhushan in 2009, he had also served as the Chairman of the Space Commission.

Born on October 31, 1943, at Neyyattinkara near Thiruvananthapuram, Madhavan Nair graduated in 1966 with a BSc in Engineering from College of Engineering, Thiruvananthapuram, with specialisation in Electrical & Communication Engineering. After that, he attended a training programme at the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre Training School, Mumbai. In 1967, he joined the Thumba Equatorial Rocket Launching Station. Since then, he had held various positions, posting illustrious milestones on his way to the position of Chairman, ISRO. A leading technologist in the field of rocket systems, he made significant contributions to the development of multi-stage satellite launch vehicles. During his six-year tenure as ISRO Chairman and Secretary to the Department of Space, 27 successful missions were accomplished. He had given major

thrust towards evolving application programmes such as tele-education and telemedicine. He also initiated schemes for Village Resource Centres through satellite connectivity. During his tenure as the Director of the Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre from 1995-99, India’s efforts towards indigenous develop- In 1967, he joined ment of cryogenic technolthe Thumba Equatoogy took concrete shape.

As the Director of Vikram rial Rocket Launching Sarabhai Space Centre, Station. Since then, he the largest R&D centre of ISRO, he also witnessed had held various posiIndia’s Geo-synchronous tions, posting illustriSatellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV) successous milestones on his fully come to fruition. As way to the position of Project Director, he led the development of Polar Chairman, ISRO Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV), which has since become the workhorse for launching mainly Indian remote sensing satellites.

His focus has always been to achieve self-reliance in the high technology areas and to bring the benefits of space technology to the national development, specially targeting the needs of the rural and poor sections of society.

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Architect of the people G

G Shankar Architect

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opalan Nair Shankar is a renowned architect known for his ‘green architecture’. Often called the ‘People’s architect’, he has made pathbreaking, original contributions in the field of housing and architecture, by spearheading a people’s housing movement based on cost-effective, sustainable, and eco-friendly building technologies.

For more than two decades, Shankar’s interventions as a socially responsible architect have brought about a qualitative change in the social fabric of architecture. What distinguishes Shankar is his pioneering effort in pro-poor housing with innovative, affordable technologies.

His creations are cheerful structures that merge visual beauty with sound principles for conservation of resources. Born in May 1959, Shankar founded the Habitat Technology Group (HTG), Thiruvananthapuram, in 1985. He is still the chief architect of the group and serves on a number of boards. He was honoured with the Padma Shri in 2011.

Shankar received his degree in architecture from College of Engineering in Thiruvananthapuram and

MS from Birmingham School of Architecture, UK, with first rank and distinction.

He started HTG with new insights and a passion for grassroot level activism. By that time, Shankar was deeply involved in social movements, particularly the movement to Shankar is known for popularise science his pioneering effort among masses, which provided him a forum in pro-poor housing to propagate the ideas with innovative, affordof appropriate technologies in housing. This able technologies. His democratic movement to creations are cheerful provide affordable housing had to face many structures that merge challenges as it upset the visual beauty with exploitative forces in the construction industry. sound principles This could be countered only by involvement in thrust areas of mass training, environmental issues, women’s empowerment, disaster mitigation, advocacy, and networking. HTG thus became an idea leader and a model among NGOs. He has designed and built more than 35,000 individual buildings, using appropriate technologies.

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A renowned maths historian P

Prof George Gheverghese Joseph Historian of Mathematics

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rof George Gheverghese Joseph is a world renowned historian of mathematics and Honorary Reader at University of Manchester.

Born in Kerala, Prof Gheverghese lived in India until he was nine. His family then moved to Mombasa in Kenya, where he received his schooling. He studied at University of Leicester and then worked for six years in Kenya before returning to pursue his post-graduate studies at Manchester. His teaching and research have ranged over a broad spectrum of subjects in applied mathematics and statistics, including multivariate analysis, mathematical programming, and demography. In recent years, however, his research has been mainly on the cultural and historical aspects of mathematics with particular emphasis on the non-European dimensions to the subject and its relevance for mathematics education.

He has travelled widely, holding university appointments in East and Central Africa, Papua New Guinea and New Zealand as well as a Royal Society Visiting Fellowship (twice) in India during which he gave lectures at several universities. His publications

include Women at Work, The Crest of the Peacock: Non-European Roots of Mathematics, Multicultural Mathematics: Teaching Mathematics from a Global Perspective, A Passage to Infinity: Medieval Indian Mathematics from Kerala and Its Impact, and George Joseph: Life and Times of a Kerala Christian His teaching and Nationalist. A Malayalam research have ranged translation of the book came out in 2008. The last book is over a broad spectrum a political biography of his of subjects in applied grandfather, George Joseph, a close associate of Mahatma mathematics and Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, statistics, including and other leaders of modern India. His book The Crest of multivariate analysis, the Peacock has been transmathematical programlated into Italian, Japanese and Spanish. There have ming and demography been recent translations into Malayalam (2006) and Farsi (2006). In October 2000, he qualified in law and was called to the Bar of the Middle Temple, London. At present, he holds appointments at Universities of Manchester and Toronto and spends about three months every year in Kerala, conducting research on math history.

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Shaping future economists D

Dr Gita Gopinath Academician

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r Gita Gopinath is the first Indian woman to be granted tenure as a Professor in the economics department at Harvard University. Her focus area is business cycles in emerging markets and price fluctuations across international borders.

A Delhi School of Economics alumnus, Dr Gita has a PhD in economics from Princeton University.

She was an Assistant Professor of economics at the University of Chicago’s Graduate School of Business.

She is also an associate of the National Bureau for Economic Research, the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston, the International Growth Centre at the London School of Economics and Oxford University, and Weatherhead Center for International Affairs. Her research had helped economists in arriving at a better understanding of the financial crisis in Greece and Iceland. In her interactions with the media, Dr Gita has said that she considers herself a product of the Indian education system. “When I was doing my Bachelors from Delhi University, India experienced its first major external financing and currency crisis in 1990-91. This inspired me to pursue

graduate work in economics. That laid the foundation for my interest in international finance.” In a recent interview published in The Harvard Crimson, Professor John Campbell, the Chairman of Harvard’s economics department, has praised Dr Gita’s ability to move A Delhi School of between theory and Economics alumnus, data analysis, and her strong skills as Dr Gita has a PhD a teacher. “She has in Economics from worked with some of our best PhD Princeton University. students. She is She was an Assistant really becoming a professional leader Professor of Economin terms of training ics at the University of economists. She is the complete packChicago age,” he said.

Dr Gita sees mentorship from seniors as an important tool in breaking the gender glass ceiling at Ivy League universities in the US. She, however, believes that universities are increasingly recognising the challenges of women and making explicit provisions to accommodate their needs.

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Retired, but still a striker I

I M Vijayan

Former Indian footballer

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nivalappil Mani Vijayan is a former footballer who played in the striker position in the Indian national team.

He formed a successful attacking partnership with Baichung Bhutia for the Indian national team in the late nineties and early 2000s.

Crowned Indian Player of the Year in 1993, 1997, and 1999, he is the first player to win this honour multiple times. He was also the recipient of the Arjuna Award in 2003.

Born in a backward community in Thrissur, Vijayan could barely make ends meet during his early years.

After playing for the Kerala Police, Vijayan rose to become one of the top names in domestic football.

A highly aggressive player, he eventually became the highest earner in Indian club football as well as a regular player in the Indian team.

Awarded a Golden Boot by Malayala Manorama for being the best football player in the Santhosh Trophy, Vijayan was known as the deadliest striker in Indian football.

While playing the match against Bhutan in the 1999 SAF Games (South Asian Football Federation Cup), he scored one of the fastest-

ever international goals within 12 seconds. He had scored 40 international goals in 79 matches for India.

With his spectacular debut in International Football in 1989, Vijayan had played in a number of tournaments such as Nehru Cup, pre-Olympics, preAfter his spectacular World Cup, SAFF debut in international Cup, and SAF Games. football (1989), he had Forming one played in a number of the deadliest forward lines in of tournaments such the Indian Footas Nehru Cup, preball team, Vijayan and Bhutia have Olympics, pre-World helped the team Cup, SAFF Cup and score vital goals in international SAF Games tournaments.

Vijayan was also the top scorer in the Afro-Asian Games event, held in India in 2003, with four goals. He formally retired from international football after this event.

Vijayan has set up a football academy in his home town to train young players.

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An eco-friendly hotelier J

Jose Dominic Entrepreneur

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ose Dominic is a hotelier from Kerala, famous for running a carbon-neutral, clean, green, and healthy chain of hotels and resorts under the brand name CGH Earth.

After completing his Chartered Accountancy from Bangalore, Dominic headed for Mumbai to work in the globally reputed accounting firm A F Ferguson & Co. In 1977, Dominic left his comfortable job to join his father’s hotel business back home.

He took over the reins of the 32-room Casino Hotel at Willingdon Island in Cochin, which had made its humble beginning in 1954. What began as a small enterprise catering to the Port’s visitors evolved into a large experiment as Dominic pioneered a new direction in tourism with his unique strategy of resort development.

Initially known as the Casino Group of Hotels, it acquired the name CGH Earth in 2004 as Dominic thought the Group should start reflecting the philosophy of being clean, green, and healthy through its respect for environment, and local cultural ethos.

The turning point in Dominic’s business came in 1988, when the Union Tourism Ministry had invited

bids for a resort on Lakshadweep’s Bangaram Island. While big hospitality groups told the Ministry that they would require three months to submit their plans, Dominic said he could submit a proposal within a day, a plan that promised to maintain the ecology of the pristine island.

He won the bidding and set up The hotels and resorts the Bangaram Island Resort. being run by CGH The success of this green experiment made him replicate Earth are popular for its the model at all hotels of the carbon-neutral, clean, Group. Today, while most hotels are faced with the constant green, and healthy worry of carbon footprints, the models. They have CGH Group is popular for being environment-friendly. The received awards of Group’s hotels include Spice excellence in tourism Village in Thekkady, Coconut Lagoon in Kumarakom, Spice from the government Coast Cruises on the Vembanad Lake, Marari Beach in Mararikulam, Brunton Boatyard and Chittoor Kottaram in Cochin, Kalari Kovilakom in Kollengode, Maison Perumal in Pondicherry, Visalam in Chettinad, TN, and Gokarna, Karnataka. They have received awards of excellence in tourism from the state and Central governments.

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Doctor with a mission B

Dr K Bahuleyan Neurosurgeon

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orn into a poor family in Chemmanakary in Kottayam district, Dr Kumar Bahuleyan had confronted poverty and starvation during his early years. He had witnessed the death of his three siblings from waterborne diseases. He was lucky enough to have survived small pox and typhoid.

Despite poor conditions, he always stood first in his studies and took care of his education by receiving government scholarships. After his graduation in medicine, he was sent by the Kerala government to the UK for neurosurgical training as the state did not have a neurosurgeon at that time.

When he returned home, the armed forces picked him up since they were in need of a qualified neurosurgeon during the time of the Chinese aggression. That stint didn’t last long, and after some time, he had moved to foreign shores. He found a right place in Buffalo, where he got the opportunity to work with noted American neurosurgeon Dr John Zoll.

However, he never forgot his native place. He kept visiting the village regularly during vacations. During his visits between 1982 and 1987,

he had learnt that Chemmanakary did not have potable drinking water, proper sanitation, electricity, roads, and health centres. In 1989, he had established a not-for-profit private organisation, Bahuleyan Charitable Foundation, to provide basic healthcare in his native village. From his In 1989, he had estabown pocket, the doctor lished the not-for-profit had invested around Rs 10 crore into the project. Bahuleyan Charitable After identifying an Foundation to provide area comprising 17 sq. miles with a population basic healthcare in of 66,356, the Foundahis native village. He tion then launched a latrine construction invested around Rs 10 programme. In 1993, crore into the project the Foundation built a small clinic in the vilfrom his own pocket lage to treat pregnant women and children.

The centre was soon upgraded and moved to Vaikom town. The Vaikom wing of The Indo-American Hospital opened in 1995 with 30 beds. In 1996, the Foundation built the 80-bed Indo-American Hospital Brain and Spine Centre. In 2004, it opened the Kalathil Health Resorts.

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Man of multifaceted talents K

K G Subramanyan

Painter, sculptor, muralist, and art historian

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G Subramanyan is a renowned painter, sculptor, muralist, art historian, and theoretician. He was awarded the Padma Vibhushan in 2012.

Born in 1924 in a village in Kerala, Subramanyan initially studied economics at Presidency College, Madras. He was actively involved in the freedom struggle. He was even imprisoned and later banned from joining government colleges during the British rule. The turning point of his life, as an artist, came when he visited Santiniketan in 1944 to study at Kala Bhavan, the art faculty of Visva-Bharati University. He studied there till 1948.

In 1951, he became a lecturer at the Faculty of Fine Arts at M S University in Baroda. He went to study briefly in London at the Slade School of Art as a British Council scholar in 1956. He also did a short stint in New York as a Rockefeller Fellow in 1966.

In 1980, Subramanyan went back to Santiniketan to teach at his alma mater in his capacity as a professor in painting, a job he continued till his retirement in 1989. That year, he was made a Professor Emeritus of

Visva-Bharati. His chief contribution as a theorist has been the rigorous recontextualisation of Western theories and practices in the Indian or Oriental context. His writings have laid the foundation for the study of contemporary Indian art.

He has written some delightful fables His chief contribution for children and ilhas been the rigorous lustrated them. He has also experimented re-contextualisation of with weaving and Western theories and toy-making, and the terracotta mural and practices in the Indian glass painting got context. His writings a new lease of life because of his experi- have laid the foundaments. His paintings tion for the study of are noted for their inherent wit, ironies, contemporary art satire, and critical social commentaries.

Among the numerous awards and recognitions he has received are the Kalidas Samman, Honoris Causa degrees from Rabindra Bharati University and Banaras Hindu University, Manaviyam Ravi Varma Award from the Kerala government, and Kala Ratna.

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‘Gana Gandharvan’ of Kerala D

Dr K J Yesudas

Singer, composer and classical musician

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r Kattassery Joseph Yesudas is a seven-time National Awardwinning playback singer and classical musician. With over 50,000 songs in many Indian languages to his credit, he has won the State Award for best playback singer 43 times, including awards by the state governments of Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, and West Bengal. Fondly called the Gana Gandharvan, he was honoured with the Padma Bhushan in 2002. Inspired by his father Augustine Joseph, a well-known classical musician, Yesudas started his career in playback singing through the Malayalam movie Kaalpadukal. He got the first break in his career with the hit Malayalam film Bharya in 1962.

Later, in the seventies, he, along with music composer Salil Chowdhury, and ever-green actor Prem Nazir, took the Malayalam cinema industry by storm. In 1970, he was the youngest person ever to head the Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi.

He entered Bollywood with the film Jai Jawan Jai Kissan in 1971.

He had rendered many hit songs with eminent music directors Ravindra Jain, Bappi Lahiri, Khayyam, Rajka-

mal and Salil Chowdhury. His most popular Hindi songs are from the 1976 film Chitchor. A senate member in the International Parliament for Safety and Peace, he was given an honorary award by UNESCO for ‘Outstanding Achievements in Music and Peace’ at a music concert in Paris in 1999.

Yesudas was one of the He travelled all around senate members in the Kerala to raise funds for the Prime Minister’s National International ParliaDefence Fund during the ment for Safety and Indo-Pak War in 1971. He serves as a cultural ambasPeace. He was given sador for India through his an honorary award by musical concerts in the Middle East. He took the initiaUNESCO for ‘Outstandtive for a musical campaign ing Achievements in against terrorism with the launch of Santhi SangeeMusic and Peace’ tha Yathra. Yesudas is the managing trustee of Hridayathalam, a Lions-Divyakarunya Heart Project, which offers free open heart surgeries for deserving people, including children. Yesudas was honoured with D.Litt. by Kerala University and Mahatma Gandhi University in 2003 and 2009, and D.Phil by Annamalai University in 1989.

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A legal luminary K

K K Venugopal Senior Advocate

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ottayan Katankot Venugopal is a senior advocate and Constitutional expert. He was honoured with the Padma Bhushan in 2002.

Born in 1931 in Cherukunnu in Kannur district of Kerala, Venugopal completed his studies from Mangalore and Belgaum. He enrolled as an Advocate in the then Mysore High Court in 1954, and shifted shortly thereafter to the Madras High Court, where he worked in the chambers of his father, the noted Constitutional lawyer M K Nambiar. Later, he was designated as Senior Advocate by the Supreme Court and appointed Additional Solicitor General of India in 1979. Over the last three decades, he has appeared in a number of important and historical cases, such as the Pondicherry Assembly Speaker election case, the Karunanidhi Ministry’s dismissal (during the Emergency period) case, and the Babri Masjid case. But the case relating to the VP Singh government’s decision in 1990 to implement the Mandal Commission’s reservation recommendations is considered a defining moment in his career. He was instrumental in obtaining a stay from the Supreme

Court, which helped stop the spiralling student violence in the country.

He has also advised the Royal Government of Bhutan on the drafting of its Constitution, and the Sri Lankan government on Constitutional reforms. He has been the President of the Supreme Court Bar Association in He has handled many 1990-91, 1994-95, and 1999historic cases, includ2000. He was conferred honorary membership by the ing the one concerning American Bar Association in the VP Singh govt’s de1984, and in 1996-97, he was elected President of Union cision to implement the Internationale des Avocats, the Mandal Commission’s oldest international association of lawyers. From 1995 to recommendations. It is 1997, he was the President of considered a defining SAARCLAW, recognised as a non-government apex body by moment in his career SAARC. In 1997, he received the Grand Cross Award and Medal from the Bar Association of Bogota, Columbia, as well as a medal and citation from the Bar Association of Matanza, Argentina. He has written and lectured widely on various legal topics, especially on developments in Indian Constitutional and Administrative Law, both in India and abroad.

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A renowned cardiologist W

Dr K M Cherian Cardiac surgeon

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orld renowned cardiac surgeon Dr K M Cherian is the Founding Chairman of Chennai-based Frontier Lifeline, and the Dr K M Cherian Heart Foundation. He performed the first coronary artery bypass surgery in India, the country’s second heart transplant, first infant cardiac surgery, the first bilateral lung transplant, the first pediatric heart transplant, the first auto transplant, and the first heart and lung transplant.

With more than 32,000 operations to his credit, Dr Cherian is set to revolutionise the Indian healthcare sector once again by setting up the country’s first-ever fully integrated medical village in Elavur, Tamil Nadu. He is the first Indian member of the American Association for Thoracic Surgery, as well as a Fellow of the Royal Society of Medicine, London, and an honorary member of the Malaysian Association for Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery. Dr Cherian was honorary surgeon to the President of India from 1990 to 1993. He was awarded the Padma Shri by the Government of India in 1991. He received the Wockhardt Medical Excellence Award in 2005, through a panel organised by

Harvard Medical School. He has also received honorary professorships from universities in China. Dr Cherian has authored more than 280 national and international publications, co-authored books on Pediatric Cardiac Surgery, and is the only Asian author to contribute to the Dr Cherian was honTextbook of Cardiac orary surgeon to the Surgery, an essential reference book to all President of India from cardiac surgeons.

1990 to 1993. He was Dr Cherian’s name is engraved in one of awarded the Padma the stones at Kos Island, Shri in 1991. He Greece, the birthplace of the Father of Medireceived the Wockhardt cine Hippocrates, along Medical Excellence with that of three other Indian surgeons. His Award in 2005 charitable endeavours were recognised by Mother Teresa, who had constantly referred poor patients to him. He is also an advocate for organ donation and a leading authority in heart transplant procedures. He was awarded the Presidency of the World Congress of the World Society of Cardio Thoracic Surgeons (2010-2011).

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A progressive historian D

Dr K N Panikkar Historian

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r K N Panikkar is a reputed historian associated with the Marxist school of historiography.

A strong advocate of an egalitarian education system, he was the first Vice-Chairman of the Kerala State Higher Education Council, which had proposed many educational reforms.

He had also served as the Vice-Chancellor of Sree Sankaracharya University of Sanskrit, Kerala.

Born in 1936 in Guruvayoor, Dr Panikkar graduated from Government Victoria College, Palakkad, in mid-1950s. He had obtained his MA and PhD from University of Rajasthan. He had been the Dean of the School of Social Sciences and Chair, Centre for Historical Studies and the Archives on Contemporary History, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi. He was a Visiting Professor at El Colegio De Mexico, Maison de sciences l’homme, Paris, Scholar in Residence at Rockfeller Study and Research Centre, Bellagio, Visiting Fellow at the Centre for Modern Oriental Studies, Berlin, Visiting Fellow of British Council at London, Senior Fellow of Nehru Memorial Museum and Library, New Delhi,

and Senior Homi Bhabha Fellow. He had also taught at Delhi University.

Dr Panikkar had also been a member of several professional bodies like the UGC, the Indian Council for Social Science Research, the Indian Council for Historical Research (ICHR), the Indian Council for World Affairs, the Nation- Born in Guruvayoor, al Book Trust, and President Dr Panikkar was the of Modern History section of the Indian History Congress first Vice-Chairman of in 1975. He has written and the Kerala State Higher edited several books, including A Concerned Indian’s Education Council.

Guide to Communalism He had also served as and the ICHR volume on Towards Freedom, 1940: A the Vice-Chancellor Documentary History of the of Sree Sankaracharya Freedom Struggle. He has consistently taken progresUniversity of Sanskrit sive positions on issues of national importance like secularism, democracy, and human rights. During the last two decades, he has been engaged in a relentless campaign in defence of these values.

Currently, he serves as the Chairman of the Kerala Council for Historical Research and the General President of the Indian History Congress.

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Trend-setter in electronics K

K P P Nambiar Technocrat, visionary

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P P Nambiar is a technocrat and visionary who guided several technological projects of the Kerala government to envious heights of success. Born into a middle class family in Kalliasseri village of Kannur district, Nambiar completed his school education in Kerala and higher education in Madras, Mumbai, and London. He did his Masters in Electronics and Communication from the Imperial College of Science and Technology, University of London.

He started his career doing research in semi-conductor technology at Imperial College from 1954-57. In early sixties, he left his job at Texas Instruments, US, to come to India as the manager of projects for Philips India. Nambiar then founded Tata Electronic Research and Development Labs and also served as the General Manager of Nelco. He was said to be instrumental in Tata’s diversification from electrical to electronics and communications.

In 1973, Nambiar was entrusted with the task of nurturing India’s first state-owned electronics enterprise, Keltron. This later provided the impetus for the establishment of Uptron,

Beltron, Meltron, and Elcot. Nambiar was also instrumental in taking electronics to the villages by setting up 50 women’s co-operatives that produced most of the consumer products sold

by Keltron. After the Keltron stint, he took on even more challenging assignments as the K P P Nambiar was Chairman and Maninstrumental in taking aging Director of ITI Ltd, and later, as electronics to the Secretary, Departvillages by setting up ment of Electronics (1986-89), when 50 women’s co-operRajiv Gandhi was atives that produced the Prime Minister.

It was his foresight- most of the consumer edness that led to products sold by the establishment of C-DAC, STPI, Keltron CEDTI and VLSI laboratories.

In late eighties, when Kerala wanted to set up an electronics technology park, the responsibility again fell on Nambiar’s shoulders. He is the former Chairman of IIM-Kozhikode and IIITM, Kerala. He has been honoured with the Padma Bhushan, among other awards.

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Inspiration for women’s empowerment K

K R Gouri Amma Political leader

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R Gouri Amma is one of the oldest serving politicians in Kerala who heads the Janathipathiya Samrakshana Samithy (JSS). Prior to the formation of JSS, she was a prominent figure in the Communist movement.

Gouri Amma was the first female law student from the backward Ezhava community. She was a Minister in the Communist-led Ministries in Kerala in 1957, 1967, 1980, and 1987. She also became a Minister in the Congress-led Cabinet from 2001 to 2006. After completing her graduation from Maharaja’s College, Ernakulam, she received a Law degree from Government Law College, Ernakulam.

Gouri Amma started her public life through trade union and peasant movements, and she was jailed on a number of occasions for participating in political activities. She was elected to the Travancore Council of Legislative Assembly in 1952 and 1954 with an overwhelming majority.

She became Revenue Minister in the first Communist Ministry in 1957.

The land reforms in Kerala has been one of her greatest achievements, as it

was she who piloted the revolutionary Land Reform Bill for the Communist government. She also held the portfolios of Excise and Devaswom.

From March 1967 to October 1969, while serving as Minister for Revenue, Sales Tax, Civil Supplies, Social Welfare and Law, Gouri She was elected to the Amma moved a numTravancore Council of ber of progressive and radical amendments to Legislative Assembly in the Land Reforms Bill 1952 and 1954 with an passed by the previous government. When it overwhelming majority. was implemented, landShe became Revenue lordism was abolished in Kerala. From January Minister in the first 1980 to October 1981, Communist Ministry in Gouri Amma was the Minister for Industries 1957 and Social Welfare, Vigilance and Administration of Justice. She held the same portfolios in 1987 as well. After the formation of Janathipathiya Samrakshana Samithy in 1994, Gouri Amma went on to join the United Democratic Front. She served as the Minister for Agriculture in the A K Antony and Oommen Chandy Cabinets.

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Little Nightingale of South India K

K S Chitra

Playback and classical singer

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rishnan Nair Shantakumari Chitra is a six-time National Awardwinning playback singer, famous for the mesmerising rendition of classical, devotional, and film songs.

She has lent her voice to Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Oriya, Hindi, Assamese, Bengali, Badaga, and Punjabi films.

Chitra was introduced to playback singing in Malayalam by Music Director and Carnatic vocalist from Kerala M G Radhakrishnan in 1979.

She was given the title Chinnakuyil after she rendered the song Chinna Kuyil Paadum for the 1985 film Poove Poochudava.

By the mid-eighties, she became the most sought after female singer in Malayalam and Tamil. She recorded many hit songs for famous composers in Malayalam, and numerous songs for music director Ilaiyaraaja in Tamil. She has been acknowledged as the only female singer to have sung the maximum number of songs for the Academy Award-winning composer A R Rahman for his Tamil film songs. She has also recorded many memorable Hindi songs for various music directors in Bollywood.

In 2006, Chitra released an album, My Tribute, and dedicated it to renowned Carnatic vocalist M S Subbulakshmi. It is a collection of krithis and bhajans. She has won many honours and awards, including the Padma Shri in 2005, the Kalaimamani title from the Tamil Nadu Chitra has lent her government in 1997, voice to Malayalam, the Bharath Ratna Lata Mangeshkar Award, and Tamil, Telugu, Kanthe Swaralaya Yesudas nada, Bengali, Badaga, Award in 2004. She has also won the Kerala and Punjabi films. She State Film Award for earned the moniker Best Singer 15 times.

Chitra, who is a Chinnakuyil after she Grade A artiste of All rendered the song India Radio and Doordarshan, has established Chinna Kuyil Paadum her own recording label, Audiotracs, to promote new talents in the music world by giving them opportunities to collaborate with her as singers, lyricists, and music directors. She, along with a Kerala-based satellite TV channel, has launched a fund-raising organisation, Sneha Nandana, for the welfare of long forgotten, ageing musicians.

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Justice to the core J

Justice K T Thomas

Former Supreme Court Judge

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ustice Kallupurackal Thomas is a former Supreme Court Judge and one of the leading Constitutional experts. He was honoured with the Padma Bhushan in 2007.

Born on January 30, 1937, Justice Thomas studied law at Madras Law College soon after graduation. After enrolling as an advocate in 1960, he practised at the Kerala High Court and the District Court in Kottayam.

While practicing as an advocate, he was made leader of an Indian delegation to attend the World Conference on Peace at Texas, USA, in 1976. He was elected as Chairman of one of the commissions set up during the conference. He joined government service in 1977 as the District and Sessions Judge following direct selection from the Bar. In 1981, he became the Selection Grade District and Sessions Judge. After four years, he was appointed as Additional Judge, and a year later, as the permanent Judge of the Kerala High Court.

In 1996, Justice Thomas was appointed as the Judge of the Supreme Court. He retired in January 2002.

Since his retirement, Justice Thomas has served as the Chairman of vari-

ous committees, including the Police Reforms Monitoring Committee, constituted by the Supreme Court, and the Committee for Fee Fixation in Unaided Professional Colleges in Kerala, constituted by the Kerala government in accordance with an apex court direction. The report of the Recently, Justice latter committee brought Kallupurackal Thomas about drastic educational reforms in Kerala. Justice was appointed as Thomas was also offered the Chairman of the the post of a member at the National Human Statutory Review Rights Commission, but Commission to review he had declined the offer.

Recently, he was apthe functioning of the pointed as the Chairman National Law School of of the Statutory Review Commission to review India University the functioning of National Law School of India University, Bengaluru. As a member of the Supreme Court-appointed empowered committee on Mullaperiyar Dam, Justice Thomas said it was unfortunate that some quarters had sought to politicise the issue and whip up emotions over the panel’s report, instead of looking at it rationally.

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Living legend of Kathakali V

Kalamandalam Gopi Kathakali exponent

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adakke Manalath Govindan Nair, popularly known as Kalamandalam Gopi, is an exponent of Kathakali, the classical dance-drama of Kerala.

Born on May 21, 1937, he belongs to Kothachira village and represents the highly stylised Kalluvazhi tradition in Kathakali. He is known for the romantic and dramatic portrayal of the virtuous pachcha (green) roles in Kathakali, notable among them being Nalan, Karnan and Rukmangadan.

He is equally adept in essaying the choreographically denser roles like Bheeman (in the stories Kalyana Sougandhikam or Bakavadham), Arjuna (Subhadraharanam), and Dharmaputrar (Kirmeeravadham).

A Padma Shri awardee, he has excelled in the yellow-faced pazhuppu roles such as Balabhadra. Of late, he has branched out to portray a variety of roles like the anti-heroic Kathi Vesham (Ravana, Keechaka and Duryodhana), the black-bearded Kaatalan (Kiratham), red-bearded Bali (Balivijayam), and the Brahmin in Santanagopalam. A disciple of the award-winning Kalamandalam Ramankutty Nair, Kalamandalam

Padmanabhan Nair, and Keezhpadam Kumaran Nair, he was trained at Kerala Kalamandalam. Before that, he had a brief career as a practitioner of the Ottamthullal, a solo dance form with lyrics by Kunchan Nambiar, a satirical poet. That was followed by his initiation into Kathakali by Kalamandalam Gopi a leading guru, Thekhas excelled in the kinkattil Ramunni Nair, at the Koodallur Mana yellow-faced pazhuppu (mansion of a Namroles such as Balabboodiri family) near Kothachira. By 1960s, hadra. Of late, he has his male protagonist also branched out to roles were complemented by Kottakkal portray a variety of Sivaraman, who gained roles like the anti-herofame as an exponent of female roles on the ic Kathi Vesham stage. Gopi, a recipient of the Central Sangeet Natak Akademi Award, retired from Kalamandalam in 1992 as its principal after 36 years of tutorial service.

Scholars and Kathakali lovers alike acknowledge him as a legitimate successor to the legacy of Kalamandalam Krishnan Nair, the greatest-ever Kathakali artiste, who died in 1990.

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A leading exponent of Mohiniyattam K

Kalamandalam Kshemavathy Classical dancer

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alamandalam Kshemavathy is a renowned classical dancer, teacher, and choreographer. A leading exponent of Mohiniyattam, Bharatanatyam, and Kuchipudi, she has been honoured with the Padma Shri.

Born in Thrissur in 1948, Kshemavathy’s family had no one in the field of performing arts. But her parents loved music and theatre. When she had displayed an inclination towards dance, her parents enrolled her at Kerala Kalamandalam at the age of 10. It was under the guidance of Thottasserry Chinnammu Amma and Kalamandalam Satyabhama that Kshemavathy learnt the adavus, the lyrical nuances, and the characterisations within Mohiniyattam. She learnt Bharatanatyam under Muthuswamy Pillai and Chitra Viswesara in Chennai. She also took lessons in Kuchipudi under the legendary Vempati Chinna Satyam between 1976 and 1979. After leaving Kalamandalam, she began teaching little children at her home in Thrissur.

She also started taking part in stage performances during seasons. She used to perform all three dance forms - Mohiniyattam, Bharatanatyam,

and Kuchipudi - in a single show. It was in 1964 that she founded Kerala Kalamandir in her home town with the purpose of training youngsters in different dance disciplines.

Over the last five decades, Kshemavathy has been instrumental in the popularisation of the classical Over the last five decdance forms, especially ades, Kalamandalam Mohiniyattam, on the world stage. She has performed Kshemavathy has been in Germany, France, and instrumental in the Finland. Kshemavathy was just 29 when she received popularisation of the the Kerala Sangeetha classical dance forms, Nataka Akademi Award for Bharatanatyam. The Kalaespecially Mohiniyatmandalam Award for Motam, on the internahiniyattam came in 1993, and the Kendriya Nataka tional stage Academy Award in 1999.

The Kerala government honoured her with the Nritya Natya Puraskar in 2008. She has served the State Sangeetha Nataka Akademi as an executive member for six years.

A senior Fellowship from the HRD Ministry had enabled her to produce a research work of great value to the students of Mohiniyattam.

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An outstanding sculptor K

Kanayi Kunhiraman Sculptor

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anayi Kunhiraman is a famous sculptor from Kanhangad in Kasargod district of Kerala. He is the former Chairman of the Lalit Kala Akademi.

Born on July 25, 1937, at Kuttamath in Kasargod, Kanayi passed the SSLC examination in 1957. By then he had already found his vocation. He ran away from home when he was barely 17 because the elders strongly disapproved of his creative pursuits. He felt stifled in the conservative atmosphere of a traditional joint family, in which youngsters were always expected to obey the instructions of the elders, predominantly the patriarch.

Kanayi is the first sculptor to receive the prestigious Raja Ravi Varma Award from the Kerala government for his contributions to art.

He is one of the outstanding sculptors Kerala has ever produced. With his extraordinary, inborn artisanship, he has produced beautiful and exquisite sculptures. Unleashing his delicate and charming aesthetic feelings and creativity, Kanayi has tried to conjure up the images of nature and its related beauty in its entire magnitude. He has

been instrumental in popularising the sculpture-related art form, hitherto unfamiliar to the common man. He wants his sculptures to be seen as an offshoot of his creative thinking. It is for his mental satisfaction that he makes the artistic creations.

Kanayi’s artistic He has been instrucreations Melathara and mental in popularising Kalithara were formally inaugurated in Kollam the sculpture-related with the violin concert of art form hitherto unfainternationally acclaimed musician L Athira miliar to the common Krishna. man. He wants his Apart from the Raja Ravi Varma Award, Kasculptures to be seen nayi has won many major as an offshoot of his awards and honours, including the Governcreative thinking ment of India’s Cultural Scholarship, the Commonwealth Scholarship, and the Thikkurissy Award. Among his prominent works are Yakshi at Malampuzha, Shanku and landscaping at Veli Lake, Jalakanyaka (Mermaid) at Shankumugham Beach, Mother and Child at Kannur, and Mukkola Perumal at Kochi.

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A versatile dramatist, poet K

Kavalam Narayana Panicker Playwright, lyricist

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avalam Narayana Panicker is a dramatist, theatre director, and poet. He has written over 26 Malayalam plays, many adapted from classical Sanskrit drama, such as Madhyamavyayogam (1979), Kalidasa’s Vikramorvasiyam (1981, 1996), Shakuntalam (1982), Karnabharam (1984, 2001), Bhasa’s Uru Bhangam (1988), Swapnavasavadattam and Dootavakyam (1996). He was honoured with the Padma Bhushan in 2007, the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award for Direction in 1983, the Kalidas Samman in 1995, and the Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowship in 2002. He is the Founder-Director of the theatre troupe Sopanam, which led to the foundation of Bhashabharati, a centre for performing arts, training and research in Thiruvananthapuram.

Born on April 28, 1928, in Kavalam village in Alleppey district, he is a nephew of Sardar Kavalam Madhava Panikkar, and a cousin of Dr K Ayyappa Panicker, a Malayalam poet.

He attended CMS College in Kottayam, and later, obtained a degree in Economics from S D College, Alappuzha, and a Bachelor of Law from Madras Law College. He started his

career as a lawyer in 1955 and practised law for six years before devoting himself to art and literature. In 1961, he was nominated as the Secretary of Kerala Sangeetha Nadaka Akademi, Thrissur. His work has always been rooted in the classical and folk traditions of Kerala. He has worked in many counNarayana Panicker is tries, including the former the Founder-Director Soviet Union. In Greece, he worked with Greek art- of the theatre troupe ists on a production of the Sopanam, which led Ilyayana, a fusion of the Indian Ramayana and the to the foundation of Greek epic Iliad. He has Bhashabharati, a centre directed two movies on the greatest Kutiyattam for performing arts, maestro, legendary actor training and research Guru Mani Madhava Chakyar. As a lyricist in in Thiruvananthapuram Malayalam cinema, he has written for films like Ulsavapittennu, Manjadikuru (2008), Vadakakkoru Hridayam (1978), and Marmaram (1982). He won the Kerala State Film Award for Best Lyrics for the latter two films. Currently, he is a consultant at Asianet Communications, and Vice-Chairman of Sangeet Natak Akademi, New Delhi.

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A bold entrepreneur, humanitarian K

Kochouseph Chittilappilly Entrepreneur

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ochouseph Chittilappilly is a renowned entrepreneur, writer, philanthropist, and humanitarian who saved a truck driver suffering from final stages of renal failure by donating one of his kidneys. He is the Founder and Vice-Chairman of V-Guard Industries Ltd, and Wonder La Holidays (P) Ltd, which runs a chain of amusement parks. It was in February 2011 that Kochouseph made the organ donation to Joy John, a native of Kottayam, pained by the sorry plight of kidney patients, who are faced with the shortage of donors.

Born in 1950 in Thrissur, Kerala, Kochouseph completed his Masters in Physics from St Thomas College in the district in 1970. After a short stint in an electronics company as a trainee supervisor, he borrowed Rs one lakh from his father to start a small manufacturing facility for stabilisers in 1977. Sensing the need for reliable and quality products, he started manufacturing V-Guard stabilisers, armed with an effective marketing strategy. As he succeeded in capturing the market quickly, V-Guard soon became a household name and the company gained a pan-Indian presence.

Having set the company on track, Kochouseph toyed with the idea of diversification and took a course relatively unheard of in India at that time - theme parks in tandem with international safety standards. For this, he made extensive travels in Europe and the US to assess the potential and It was in February 2011 scope of such ventures. that Kochouseph donated He then set up two large amusement parks in Kochi one of his kidneys to a and Bengaluru under the truck driver from KottayWonder La brand. His wife Sheila looks after the am, pained by the sorry garment business V-Star. plight of kidney patients, Kochouseph has penned an autobiographi- who are faced with the cal work on his childshortage of donors hood in Parappur village in Thrissur. He has also published a book called Practical Wisdom 1, a practical guide to life and its simple intricacies. He followed that up with Practical Wisdom 2.

He has also penned A Journey to One Kidney, which reveals the experiences, worries, anxieties, and pain he underwent while preparing for kidney donation.

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In the league of innovators K

Kris Gopalakrishnan Entrepreneur

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ris Gopalakrishnan is the Co-Chairman and one of the seven founders of Infosys Technologies, a leading global consulting and IT services company.

He holds Master’s degrees in Physics and Computer Science from the Indian Institute of Technology, Madras.

Kris, along with N R Narayana Murthy and five others, founded Infosys in 1981. He served as Director (Technical) and his initial responsibilities included the management of design, development, implementation, and support of information systems for clients in the consumer products industry in the US. Between 1987 and 1994, Kris served as the Vice-President for Technical Operations of KSA/Infosys, a joint venture between Infosys and KSA in Atlanta, US. Upon his return to India, he was appointed as Deputy Managing Director of Infosys in 1994. Before becoming the CEO and Managing Director in July 2007, Kris served as Infosys’ Chief Operating Officer, President, and Joint Managing Director, responsible for customer services, technology, investments, and acquisitions. He took over as the Executive Co-Chairman on August 21, 2011. Kris has been awarded the Padma Bhushan, the country’s third

highest civilian honour. Recognised as a global business and technology thought leader, he was recently voted the top CEO (IT Services category) in Institutional Investor’s inaugural ranking of Asia’s Top Executives. He was also selected to Thinkers 50, an elite list of global business thinkers, Recognised as a global compiled by Des Dearbusiness and technollove and Stuart Crainer, in association with the ogy thought leader, IE Business School, Kris had been voted Madrid, and the London Business School’s Manas the top CEO (IT agement Innovation Lab. Services category) in He is currently the Chairman of the International Institutional Investor’s Institute of Information inaugural ranking of Technology, Bengaluru, and the Indian Institute Asia’s Top Executives of Information Technology and Management, Kerala. He is the Vice-Chairman of the Board for Information Technology Education Standards, set up by the Government of Karnataka. He is also the Vice-President of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) National Council, and a member of ACM, IEEE and IEEE Computer Society.

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Hotelier of the Century C

Capt Krishnan Nair Entrepreneur

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aptain Krishnan Nair is a freedom fighter, retired Army officer, and entrepreneur. He is the FounderChairman of the Leela Group of Hotels, established in 1986. He was honoured with the Padma Bhushan in 2010. During war time in 1942, Captain Nair was commissioned in the Army as a wireless officer at Abbottabad in North West Frontier Province. After the war, he returned to his home town Kannur when it was reeling under a famine.

He had then set up a producers’ co-operative society to collect and distribute foodgrains. That was his first experience of handling men and goods meant for the masses. Later, when India attained Independence, he joined the Maratha Light Infantry.

Captain Nair, who got married to Leela in 1950, quit the Army two years later to help out his father-inlaw with his handloom business.

After founding Leela Lace Ltd, a textile company, in 1957, he developed the export markets, becoming one of the pioneers of the Bleeding Madras fabric that was a hit in the US in the 1960s. By 1980s, Leela Lace was flourishing, and he had built

a textile factory in North Mumbai.

It was a chance visit to Budapest in 1957 and his stay at the Kempinsky Hotel there that made him realise the need for a world class luxury hotel chain in India. When the Sahar (now Chhatrapati Shivaji) International Airport opened in Mumbai in 1981, it created A freedom fighter, vithe demand for a luxury sionary, and businesshotel in its vicinity.

That’s when Captain man, Captain Krishnan Nair realised his threeNair was awarded the decade-old dream with the launch of his first prestigious Golden hotel in Mumbai, Hotel Globe Award for the Leela, in 1986. Today, the Leela Group comprises six highest exports in luxury palaces and hotels in clothing in India by Mumbai, Goa, Bengaluru, Gurgaon, Udaipur, and New the Ministry of Textiles Delhi. In 2008, Captain Nair was listed in Business Week among 50 global octogenarians who still rock the world. He has received the Life-Time Achievement Five Star Diamond Award from the American Academy of Hospitality Sciences in 2009, and the Hotelier of the Century Award from the International Hotel and Restaurant Association.

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First woman judge of SC J

Justice M Fathima Beevi Former Supreme Court Judge

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ustice M Fathima Beevi was the first woman judge to be appointed to the Supreme Court of India, and the first woman judge of the Supreme Court of a nation in Asia.

Born on April 30, 1927, in Pathanamthitta district of Kerala, Fathima Beevi did her schooling from Catholicate High School, Pathanamthitta, BSc from University College, Thiruvananthapuram, and law from Government Law College, Thiruvananthapuram. After enrolling as an advocate in 1950, she began her career in the lower judiciary in Kerala.

She was appointed as the Munsiff in the Kerala Sub-ordinate Judicial Services in May 1958. She was promoted as the Sub-ordinate Judge in 1968, as the Chief Judicial Magistrate in 1972, and as the District & Sessions Judge in 1974.

In 1980, she was appointed as the Judicial Member of the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal. She was then elevated to the High Court as a Judge in August 1983.

She became a permanent Judge of the High Court in May 1984. She had retired as the Judge of the High Court in April 1989, but was elevated to the

Supreme Court as a Judge on October 6, 1989. She retired in April 1992.

She had later served as a member of the National Human Rights Commission, and as the Governor of Tamil Nadu (1997–2001).

As the Governor of the state, she had rejected the mercy Justice Fathima Beevi petitions filed by was elevated to the the four condemned prisoners in the Rajiv Supreme Court as a Gandhi assassination Judge on October 6, case.

She had also 1989. She retired in served as the ChairApril 1992. She later man of the Kerala Commission for became the Governor Backward Classes in of Tamil Nadu from 1993.

The Left parties 1997 to 2001 had discussed the nomination prospects of Fathima Beevi as the President of India, while the NDA government proposed the name of Dr A P J Abdul Kalam in 2002.

She has received several awards and recognitions, including a doctorate, the Mahila Shiromani Award, and the Bharat Jyoti Award.

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A noted historian, scholar M

M G S Narayanan Historian, academician

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uttayil Govindamenon Sankara Narayanan, also known as MGS, is a historian, academic, and former Chairman of the Indian Council of Historical Research (ICHR).

Born on August 20, 1932, MGS completed his primary education in Kerala before moving to Madras for his Masters in History from Madras Christian College. He topped the University of Madras in his post-graduation in 1953 and went on to complete his PhD from University of Kerala in 1973. His thesis, titled Perumals of Kerala, was published in 1996. He studied ancient scripts like Brahmi, Vattezhuttu, and Grantha, and is well-versed in classical Sanskrit and ancient South Indian scripts. MGS started his academic career in 1965 at the Post Graduation Centre of Kerala University at Calicut.

In 1968, he joined University of Calicut after its establishment and served in the Department of History in various positions, before retiring in 1992 as Dean of Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, a post he held from 1970. He held academic positions in MG University, Kottayam, and Mangalore University, and also served in various foreign universities, including the Institute of

Oriental Studies, Moscow University, School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London, and Tokyo University of Foreign Studies.

MGS served as ICHR’s First Member Secretary under Irfan Habib in 1990-92, and later, as its Chairman from July 2001 to December 2003. Mem- MGS studied ancient ber of the executive comscripts like Brahmi, mittee of the Indian History Congress since 1969, Vattezhuttu, and Granhe went on to become its tha, and is well-versed General Secretary during 1982-85. He was Presiin classical Sanskrit dent of the Indian History and ancient South Inand Culture Society in 2001 and member of aca- dian scripts. He was an demic bodies like Journal observer of excavations of Indian History, and Indian Historical Review. at Kodungallur He has published research papers in national and international journals. In 1994, he served as Chief Editor of Malabar, a compilation of research extracts. An observer of excavations at Kodungallur (1969-70), he discovered and published the Bindusara Brahmi inscription of Sanchi and many medieval Vattezhuttu inscriptions of Kerala.

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From civil service to Governorship M

M K Narayanan Governor, West Bengal

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ayankote Kelath Narayanan is the former National Security Advisor (NSA) to the Prime Minister of India and the incumbent Governor of West Bengal. Born on July 23, 1934, Narayanan hails from the Kelath family of Ottapalam in Palakkad district. An Indian Police Service Officer of the Tamil Nadu cadre, adjudged as the best all-round officer of the 1955 batch, he had completed his graduation from Madras Christian College. He is an alumnus of Loyola College, Madras, and holds a Masters in Economics from University of Madras.

After a brief stint as Sub-Divisional Police Officer in the erstwhile State of Madras, he went on deputation to the Intelligence Bureau in February 1959. He headed the Intelligence Bureau from 1987 to 1990, before leading the Joint Intelligence Committee.

He became the Chief of IB again in 1991, before retiring in 1992.

Even after his retirement, he remained closely connected with security-related matters. He was a member of the Task Force that revamped the intelligence system after the Kargil Committee Report in 2000.

Frequently consulted on security matters, he was a member of several expert panels, especially in the areas of counter-terrorism and counterintelligence.

He was the Special Advisor for Internal Security to the Prime Minister in May 2004. He had taken He had taken over as over as the NSA on the NSA on January January 25, 2005. As the NSA, his responsi- 25, 2005. As the NSA, bilities included advishis responsibilities ing the Prime Minister on foreign policy and included advising the defence matters, naPrime Minister on tional security issues, including internal seforeign policy, defence curity and intelligence, matters, and national and nuclear and space matters. security issues He led India in institutionalised security and strategic dialogues with several countries, including Brazil, France, Japan, Sri Lanka, Germany, Russia, the UK and the US. He was also the Prime Minister’s Special Representative for boundary talks with China.

He has been honoured with the Padma Shri and Gusi Peace Prize.

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Veteran politician and prolific writer M

M P Veerendra Kumar Politician, writer

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P Veerendra Kumar is a veteran politician and a prominent writer in Malayalam. A former Union Minister and Member of Parliament, he is the President of Socialist Janata (Democratic) Party and the Chairman and Managing Director of the Malayalam daily Mathrubhumi. He received the prestigious Odakkuzhal Award in 1997.

Kumar, who hails from Wayanad district of Kerala, completed his primary education from Wayanad and Calicut, and obtained Masters in Philosophy from Madras Vivekananda College. He also did Masters in Business Administration from Cincinnati University, Ohio, USA. Kumar has held the posts of treasurer and national committee member of the former Samyukta Socialist Party, state secretary of the Kerala unit of the Socialist Party, All India secretary of the former Socialist Party, convenor of the Opposition Co-ordination Committee, and vice-president and president of the former Janata Party. In 1979, Kumar took charge as the Managing Director of Mathrubhumi Printing & Publishing Company Ltd. He was an elected member of the Kerala Legislative Assembly during 1987-91. Elected

to the Lok Sabha from Kozhikode constituency, he was Union Minister of State for Labour, and later, Finance in 1996. Kumar is the author of 15 titles in Malayalam. One of his books, Ramante Dukham, has gone into 18 reprints. Amazonum Kure Vyakulathakalum won the Sahitya Akademi Award He is the author of in 2002. In 2008, his fifteen titles in Malaywork Hymavathabhoovil won the prestigious alam. One of his books Vayalar Award. His major Ramante Dukham, has works include Samanwayathinte Vasantham, gone into 18 re-prints.

Buddhante Chiri, GatAmazonum Kure tum Kanacharadukalum, Atmavilekkoru TheerVyakulathakalum won thayathra, Prathibhayute the Sahitya Akademi Verukal Thedi, Changampuzha: Vidhiyute VetAward in 2002 tamrigam, Thirinjhunokkumbol, Lokavyapara Samkhadanayum Oorakkudukkukalum, Roshathinte Vithukal, and Adhinivesathinte Adiyozhukukal.Currently, he is a member of the executive committee of The Indian Newspaper Society, Vice-Chairman of PTI, and Trustee of Press Institute of India-Research Institute for Newspaper Development.

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Father of Green Revolution D

Dr M S Swaminathan Agricultural scientist

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r Maankombu Sambasivan Swaminathan is a geneticist, parliamentarian, and international administrator, renowned for his leading role in India’s ‘Green Revolution’, a programme under which high-yield varieties of wheat and rice seedlings were planted in the fields of poor farmers. Known as the Father of the Green Revolution in India, he was honoured with the Padma Vibhushan in 1989.

Founder and Chairman of the M S Swaminathan Research Foundation, he wants India to be at the forefront of sustainable development.

Born in Kumbakonam on August 7, 1925, he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Zoology. During the time of wartime food shortages, he chose a career in agriculture and enrolled at the Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, where he graduated as valedictorian with another Bachelor of Science degree, this time in Agricultural Science. In 1949, he obtained a post-graduate degree with high distinction in Cytogenetics from the Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI) in New Delhi. He later received a UNESCO Fellowship to

continue his IARI research on potato genetics at the Wageningen Agricultural University, Institute of Genetics, in the Netherlands. In 1950, he studied at the Plant Breeding Institute of University of Cambridge School of Agriculture. After earning a PhD in 1952, he accepted a post-doctoral research asso- In 1999, Time magazine ciateship at the University placed him in the Time of Wisconsin, Department of Genetics, to help set up a 20 list of most influUSDA Potato Research Staential Asian people of tion. From 1972 to 1979, he was Director-General of the the 20th century. The Indian Council of AgriculUN Environment Protural Research, and Minister for Agriculture from gramme described him 1979 to 1980. He served as the Father of Ecoas Director-General of the International Rice Research nomic Ecology Institute (1982–88) and became President of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources in 1988. In 1999, Time magazine placed him in the Time 20 list of most influential Asian people of the 20th century. The UN Environment Programme described him as the Father of Economic Ecology.

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Pioneer in medical science D

Dr M S Valiathan Cardiac surgeon

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r Marthanda Varma Sankaran Valiathan is a renowned cardiac surgeon and a Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons.

Born on May 24, 1934, in Mavelikkara in Alleppey district of Kerala, Dr Valiathan graduated in medicine from Kerala University in 1956 and underwent post-graduate training in surgery in the United Kingdom before earning the Fellowship of the Royal Colleges of Surgeons of Edinburgh and England in 1960. He also did his Masters in Surgery from Liverpool University. He specialised in cardiac surgery at Johns Hopkins, George Washington, and Georgetown University Hospitals in the US and became a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons, Canada.

He served on the faculty of Georgetown University Hospital, US, Post-graduate Medical Institute, Chandigarh, Indian Institute of Technology, Madras, and the Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology (SCTIMST), Thiruvananthapuram. Recognised for his role in pioneering the joint culture of medicine and technology and laying the foundation for the medical

devices industry in India, he headed SCTIMST from 1974-1994, when it was notified as an institute of national importance by an Act of Parliament.

After this stint, he became the first Vice-Chancellor of Manipal University and played a significant role in its development.

As a Homi Bhabha Recognised for his role Senior Fellow and a in pioneering the joint student of Sanskrit, he had carried out a study culture of medicine and of the Charaka Samhita. technology and laying His work, The Legacy of Charaka, was published the foundation for the

by Orient Longman in medical devices indus2003. The companion volumes on the legacies try in India, he headed of the great trio of Ayurthe Sree Chitra Institute veda – Charaka, Suśruta and Vagbhata – were from 1974-1994 released by the same publisher in 2006 and 2009.

Currently, he is a National Research Professor of the Government of India pioneering scientific studies in Ayurveda. His contributions to medical sciences and technology have brought him many honours and awards, including the Padma Vibhushan in 2005.

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A master storyteller M

M T Vasudevan Nair

Writer, journalist and film director

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T Vasudevan Nair, popularly known as MT, is a Jnanpith Award-winning author, screenwriter, and film director. Honoured with the Padma Bhushan in 2005, he has won the National Film Awards six times, the Kerala State Film Awards 24 times, the Kendra Sahitya Akademi Award once, and the Kerala Sahitya Akademi Awards thrice.

Born in Kudallur village in Palakkad district on July 15, 1933, MT’s works are considered pathbreaking in the history of Malayalam literature. A master storyteller, MT’s romantic poignancy and tender portrayal of the human condition have endeared the author to his readers. His three seminal novels on life in the matriarchal family in Kerala are Nalukettu, Asuravithu, and Kaalam.

Randamoozham (The Second Turn), an epic novel, retells the story of the Mahabharata from the point of view of Bhima. Critics consider this book, which won the Vayalar Award in 1985, to be a masterpiece. His novel Swargam Thurakkunna Samayam bagged the Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award in 1986, while Kaalam got him the Kendra Sahitya Akademi Award in 1970.

Nalukettu also won the Kerala Sahitya

Akademi Award. MT has directed seven films, and written the screenplay for 54 films. He won the National Film Award for Best Screenplay four times for Oru Vadakkan Veeragatha (1989), Kadavu (1991), Sadayam (1992), and Parinayam (1994). He also won the National Award for Best Film in MT occupied and con1974 for Nirmalyam, and tinues to occupy many for Best Film on Environment Conservation/Presimportant positions in ervation in 2001 for Oru literary bodies, includCheru Punchiri. He won the Jnanpith in 1995. MT ing the presidentship occupied and continues to of Kerala Sahitya Akaoccupy many important and powerful positions in demi, and the chairvarious literary bodies, inmanship of Thunchan cluding the presidentship of Kerala Sahitya AkadeMemorial Trust mi, and the chairmanship of Thunchan Memorial Trust. The Library of Congress has in its collection 62 books, mostly by MT and some on him. Some of them are translations of his works into English.

MT has been the Editor of Mathrubhumi weekly for over two decades. He has been awarded an honorary degree of Doctor of Letters by Calicut University.

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In a freeze frame as Pareekkutty M

Madhu Film Actor

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adhavan Nair, popularly known by his stage name Madhu, is a prominent actor in Malayalam cinema. Apart from acting, he has also produced and directed films. He even had a film studio at one point in time.

A native of Thiruvananthapuram, Madhu started his career as a Hindi lecturer in Scott Christian College, Nagercoil. Later, he studied at the National School of Drama (NSD) and made his debut in N N Pisharody’s Ninamanija Kalpadukal in 1963.

The portrayal of the tragic character of Pareekkutty in Chemmeen, directed by Ramu Karyat, is considered to be the best among his performances. The film received the President’s Gold Medal. In a career spanning nearly five decades, Madhu has acted in more than 300 films.

Though he was a big success in commercial films, he is also known for being a part of parallel cinema.

He has acted in ace director Adoor Gopalakrishnan’s Swayamvaram, and P N Menon’s Olavum Theeravum.

Madhu’s directorial venture Priya was a trend-setter in Malayalam cinema. In this movie, he had experimented with the main character, turn-

ing him into an anti-hero. In all, he has directed 14 films. His directorial venture Sindooracheppu bagged the Kerala State Film Award for second Best Film in 1971.

In 1982 and 1992, he received the Kerala State Film Special Jury Award. Then, Mini, a film produced The portrayal of the by him, won the Kerala tragic hero Pareekkutty State Film Award for Best Children’s Film in in Chemmen, directed 1995. He is a recipient of

by Ramu Karyat, is the J C Daniel Lifetime Achievement Award. The considered to be versatile actor has done among Madhu’s best a couple of Tamil films like Dharma Dorai and performances. The Film Oru Ponnu Oru Paiyan. received the President’s He was even part of the Hindi film Saat Medal Hindustani, the debut film of Bollywood actor Amitabh Bachchan. Last year, a Malayalam book on Madhu’s life, titled Vellithirayude Madhavapurnima, was released on the sidelines of the 16th International Film Festival of Kerala.

Its English version, A Darling Lover of Silverscreen, was also released on the occasion.

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A pioneering influence on media M

Mammen Mathew

Chief Editor & MD, Malayala Manorama

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ammen Mathew is the Chief Editor and Managing Director of the 124-year-old Malayala Manorama newspaper, which has played a pivotal role in the evolution of Kerala. Based in Kottayam, the Malayalam newspaper, with a circulation of more than two million copies, is published from 16 centres in India and two centres abroad.

The Malayala Manorama Group has 41 other publications, including the English news magazine The Week. It also owns the internet portal Manoramaonline, television channels Manorama News and Mazhavil Manorama, and FM radio stations. He led the Malayala Manorama Group into the electronic age, while expanding its footprint in the publishing field. As Chief Editor, he is known for his intellectual integrity and innovative spirit as well as his commitment to protecting the heritage of Kerala. In 2005, the President of India conferred on him the Padma Shri in recognition of his contribution to journalism. He also received the Rajiv Gandhi National Award for excellence in journalism in 2005. He is the first Indian to be appointed a Trustee and Director of Thomson Reuters Founders Share Company Limited, London,

which oversees the implementation of the guiding principles of Reuters. He served two terms of five years each there. He was also chairman of the India section of the Commonwealth Press Union, London, for 6 years. He is serving a second term as a member of the Governing Council of the Nehru MeHe is the first Indian to morial Museum and Library be appointed a Trustee Society, Delhi, member of the National Integration and Director of ThomCouncil and an executive son Reuters Founders council member of the National Book Trust, India. Share Company Ltd, He was the President of the London, which overEditors Guild of India as well as the Indian Newspa- sees the implementaper Society. He has served tion of the guiding two terms as a member of Press Council of India; the principles of Reuters National Security Advisory Board; the Media Advisory Committee of National Education for India; and the National Commission on Population. Mathew was born in 1944, as the son of K M Mathew, former Chief Editor of Malayala Manorama, and Annamma, who had written two dozen best-selling cookbooks under the name Mrs K M Mathew.

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A ‘veeragatha’ indeed M

Mammootty

Film actor and producer

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uhammadkutty Ismail Panaparambil, popularly known as Mammootty, is a four-time National Award-winning actor and producer.

Honoured with the Padma Shri for contribution to Indian cinema in 1998, he has won the Kerala State Film Award seven times and the Filmfare Award 11 times.

Mammootty made an uncredited appearance in the film Anubhavangal Paalichakal, directed by K S Sethumadhavan in 1971. In the film, he is shown as part of a running crowd along with the then leading actor Sathyan. He was then a student at Maharajas College, Ernakulam. His next film was Kaalachakram in 1973, a Malayalam film directed by K Narayanan and starring Prem Nazir.

This was the first dialogued appearance, though he appeared only in one scene. In 1979, Mammootty got his first lead role in M T Vasudevan Nair’s Devalokam, which was never completed. He played an antagonist in his next film, Vilkkanundu Swapnangal, directed by Azad and written by M T Vasudevan Nair in 1980.

He then gradually got recognition through the films Sphodanam, Mela,

and Thrishna. He received his first State Award for Best Supporting Actor in 1981 for the film Ahimsa.

Films like Yavanika, directed by K G George, Aalkkoottathil Thaniye, and Adiyozhukkukal, scripted by M T Vasudevan Nair, established him as a leading actor in the Malayalam film industry. Dur- Honoured with the ing a career spanning three Padma Shri in 1998 for decades, he has acted in more than 360 films. He has also contribution to Indian acted in Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, cinema, he has won the and Kannada films. Mammootty has won the National National Film Award Film Award for Best Actor four times, the Kerala four times for Oru Vadakkan Veeragatha, Mathilukal, State Film Award seven Vidheyan, and Ponthan Mada. times, and the Filmfare Mammootty was honoured with D.Litt by Kerala Univer- Award 11 times sity and Calicut University in 2010. He is actively involved with the Pain and Palliative Care Society to improve the quality of life of cancer patients in Kerala. He is the ambassador of Jeevan Jyothi, a social project aimed at providing treatment for ophthalmic, cardiac, and liver diseases as well as renal dysfunctions, Haemophilia, or ENT disorders.

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Doyenne of Koodiyattam, Nangiarkoothu M

Margi Sathi

Nangiarkoothu, Koodiyattam exponent

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argi Sathi is one of the leading exponents of Nangiarkoothu and Koodiyattam, a 2,000-year-old classical Sanskrit drama tradition, recognised by UNESCO as ‘a masterpiece of the oral and intangible heritage of humanity’. Sathi is excellent in the enactment of all female characters in Koodiyattam.

Sathi was born in Cheruthuruthy in Thrissur district of Kerala.

At the age of 11, she joined Kerala Kalamandalam, the premier performing arts academy of Kerala, to learn Koodiyattam. For eight years, she studied under Painkulam Rama Chakyar, Mani Madhava Chakyar, and Ammannur Madhava Chakyar.

Sathi joined Margi, an organisation dedicated to the revival of Kathakali and Koodiyattam, in 1988. Sathi has been performing Koodiyattam and Nangiarkoothu since 1985. She has performed extensively in India and abroad. She has performed Nangiarkoothu, the solo part of Koodiyattam, as well as the female roles in Koodiyattam in France, Spain, the USA, Germany, Italy, and Switzerland. Sathi also got a rare opportunity to perform Koodiyattam at the UN-

ESCO headquarters in Paris in 2001, before the specially invited guests from all over the world to mark the UNESCO’s proclamation of Koodiyattam as a world heritage art. Her range of characters in Koodiyattam is phenomenal. She has added new dimensions to Nangiarkoothu through her enact- She got an opportunity ment of Srikrishnacharitham. to perform KoodiyatShe has scripted and published a performance manual tam at the UNESCO of Sriramacharitham (1999), headquarters in 2001, Kannakicharitham (2002), and Sitayanam (2008). Her before guests from all famous choreographies are over the world to mark Krishnaleela, Kamsavadham, Poothanamoksham, Rasleela, the UNESCO’s proclaand Gopikavastrapaharamation of Koodiyattam ham. She has also played a lead role in the Malayalam as a world heritage art film Nottam in 2006. She was conferred the Kerala Sangeet Nataka Akademi Award for Koodiyattam in 2002.

Sathi received fellowship of the Ministry of Culture in 1997 for a research project on Nangiarkoothu. In 2008, she bagged the Kaladarpanam Award, and in 2008, the Natyarathna Puraskaram.

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Saint of compassion M

Mata Amritanandamayi Devi Spiritual leader

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ata Amritanandamayi Devi, known throughout the world as Amma, is a spiritual leader from Kerala. Born into a family of fishermen as Sudhamani Idamannel, her education ended at the age of nine.

Even as a small girl, she drew attention by spending many hours in deep meditation on the seashore.

In 1981, the Mata Amritanandamayi Math, a worldwide foundation, was established. Amritanandamayi serves as the chairperson of the Math. Today, the Mata Amritanandmayi Math is engaged in many spiritual and charitable activities.

In 1987, at the request of devotees, Amritanandamayi began to conduct spiritual programmes across the world. The countries where she has held programmes include Australia, Austria, Brazil, Canada, Chile, England, Finland, France, Germany, and Malaysia. Amritanandamayi’s worldwide charitable mission includes a programme to build houses for the homeless and care facilities for the elderly, set up orphanages, provide relief and rehabilitation in the aftermath of natural disasters, free medical care, pensions for widows and disabled

people, aid for environmental protection groups, renovate and urbanise slums, and offer free food and clothing for the poor. These humanitarian projects are overseen by various organisations, including the Mata Amritanandamayi Math (India), the Mata Amritanandamayi Center (USA), In 1981, the Mata AmAmritanandamayi-Europe, ritanandamayi Math, a Amritanandamayi-Japan, Amritanandamayi-Kenya, worldwide foundation, and Amritanandamayiwas established. Amma Australia. Amritanandamayi is known for her serves as chairperson devotional songs. There are of the Math. Today, it more than 200 recordings of her bhajans. Amma’s is engaged in many disciples have transliterspiritual and charitable ated her conversations with devotees and spiritual activities seekers, producing several books on her teachings, including Awaken Children. The Amritanandamayi Math also publishes Matruvani, a monthly spiritual magazine, as well as Immortal Bliss, a quarterly magazine.

Amma inspires, uplifts, and transforms through her embrace, wisdom, and charities.

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The complete actor M

Mohanlal

Film actor, producer, and businessman

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ohanlal is a four-time National Award-winning Malayalam actor, producer, and businessman. He has won four National Film Awards two Best Actor Awards, one Special Jury Award for acting, and one Award for Best Film (as producer) - along with six Kerala State Film Awards for Best Actor. In 2009, he became the first actor to be given the honorary rank of Lieutenant Colonel in the Territorial Army of India. He was honoured with the Padma Shri in 2001.

Born on May 21, 1960, in Pathanamthitta district of Kerala, Mohanlal did his schooling from Mudavanmukal School and Model School, Thiruvananthapuram, and completed his BCom from M G College, Thiruvananthapuram.

Mohanlal made his acting debut in Thiranottam (1978), but the film was never released due to censorship issues. In the next venture, Manjil Virinja Pookkal (1980), considered to be his first film, he played the lead antagonist. He was 20 years old at that time. He followed that up with negative roles in several movies before establishing himself as a lead actor playing a wide variety of

characters in comedy as well as action films. He catapulted himself into the superstar league in 1986 after the success of Rajavinte Makan.

Mohanlal turned a film producer with the 1990 musical hit His Highness Abdullah. He has also acted in a number of Tamil and Bollywood films. He In 2009, Mohan Lal played notable roles in Irubecame the first actor var, directed by Mani Ratnam, and Company, directed to be given the honorby Ram Gopal Varma. Apart ary rank of Lieutenant from being an actor and producer, Mohanlal is involved Colonel in the Territoin film distribution, restaurial Army of India. He rants, and packaged spices businesses. was honoured with the He won his first State Padma Shri in 2001 by Award for the film T P Balagopal MA (1986). He won his the Govt of India first Filmfare Award for the film Sanmasullavarkku Samadhaanam (1986), and the National Film Special Jury Award for the film Kireedam (1989). Later, he won the National Award for Best Actor for Bharatham (1991) and Vaanaprastham (1999). He was awarded an Honorary Doctorate by Sree Sankaracharya University of Sanskrit.

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Legends of performing arts M

Mrinalini Sarabhai Classical dancer, instructor

Mallika Sarabhai

rinalini Sarabhai and her daughter Mallika Sarabhai are India’s celebrated classical dancers, choreographers, and instructors. Together, they manage Ahmedabad-based Darpana Academy of Performing Arts, an institute for imparting training in dance, drama, music, and puppetry.

Born in 1918 in Chennai, Mrinalini is the wife of world renowned physicist Vikram Sarabhai, the Father of Indian Space Programme. She spent her childhood in Switzerland, where she received her first lessons in Dalcroz, a Western technique of dance movements. She was educated at Santiniketan under the guidance of Rabindranath Tagore where she realised her true calling. She then went for a short time to the US where she enrolled in the American Academy of Dramatic Arts. On returning to India, she began her training in the South Indian classical dance form of Bharatanatyam under Meenakshi Sundaram Pillai, and Kathakali under the legendary Guru Thakazhi Kunchu Kurup. She has received many distinguished awards and citations in recognition of her contribution to art. Besides choreographing more than 300 dance dramas, she has

written many novels, poetry, plays, and stories for children. Her autobiography is titled Mrinalini Sarabhai: The Voice of the Heart. She was honoured with the Padma Bhushan in 1992. Her daughter Mallika is a social activist and an accomplished Kuchipudi and Bharatanatyam dancer.

Together, Mrinalini and Born in Ahmedabad, Mallika Sarabhai manshe completed her MBA from IIMage Ahmedabad-based Ahmedabad in 1974, Darpana Academy of and Doctorate in Organisational BePerforming Arts, an haviour from Gujarat institute for impartUniversity in 1976.

She has won many ing training in dance, accolades, includdrama, music, and ing the Golden Star Award for the Best puppetry Dance Soloist, Theatre De Champs Elysees, Paris, 1977. In 1989, she performed hard-hitting solo theatrical works, Shakti: The Power of Women.

After that, she directed and acted in numerous productions reflecting current social issues to raise awareness among people. She was honoured with the Padma Bhushan in 2010.

Classical dancer, activist

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Pioneer in Management Education P

Dr M V Pylee Academician

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rof Dr Moolamattam Varkey Pylee is a pioneer in the field of management education, an eminent education administrator, a distinguished academician, and an authority on Indian Constitution. He was honoured with the Padma Bhushan in 2006.

Dr Pylee was the Founder-Director of School of Management at Cochin University of Science and Technology (CUSAT). He turned the School into one of India’s leading management institutions. As the Vice-Chancellor of CUSAT from 1977 to 1982, he gave a new direction and thrust to the university by initiating a number of innovative job-oriented courses and programmes.

Dr Pylee has been intimately associated with a number of Central government organisations. Among them are the University Grants Commission (UGC), the All India Council for Technical Education, the Press Council of India, and Jawaharlal Nehru University.

Banaras Hindu University honoured him with an Honorary Degree of Doctor of Letters in 1997. He has 45 publications to his credit. Some of the books are Constitutional Govern-

ment in India, Federal Court of India, India’s Constitution, and Russia of My Experience.

Dr Pylee is a writer in Malayalam as well. He has written 11 well-known books. He has also written over 200 research papers, published in journals of national and international repute. He was the FounderThe honours and awards Director of School of he has received include Emeritus Professorship Management at Cochin of CUSAT, the AkshardUniversity of Sciham Award for unique achievements in the field ence and Technology of management, and the (CUSAT). He turned Paramacharya Award of the Centurian Trust, the School into one of Madras.

India’s leading manDr Pylee has been the Honorary Directoragement institutions General of Asian Institute of Development and Entrepreneurship.

The Padma Bhushan awardee has established a public charitable trust under the name ‘Prof Dr M V Pylee Foundation’ with a view to creating endowments as well as to give assistance to educational, cultural, and charitable causes.

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Pioneer in legal education D

Dr N R Madhava Menon Legal educator

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r N R Madhava Menon is a renowned legal educator and institution builder. In the early eighties, when the Bar Council of India proposed to build a new law school, Dr Menon volunteered for the job and set up the Bangalore-based National Law School of India University with a government grant.

The school was the first in India to use the Harvard Law School’s case study method. After a 10-year stint at the university, he was invited by the West Bengal government to set up the West Bengal National University of Juridical Sciences (NUJS) on the lines of the Bangalore initiative.

Before Dr Menon could complete his term as the Vice-Chancellor of NUJS, the Supreme Court asked him to take over as the first Director of the National Judicial Academy. Dr Menon has also been a teacher at the Faculty of Law, AMU, Aligarh, a member of the Law Commission of India, Chairman of the Indian Statistical Institute, Kolkata, Chairman of the Centre for Development Studies, Thiruvananthapuram, and a member of several expert committees. As a member of the Legal Education Com-

mittee of the Bar Council of India, and later, as the first Secretary of the Bar Council Trust, Dr Menon influenced the shaping of legal education policies.

In 2008, he was on the Board of Governors of the International Organisation of Judicial Trainers and also As a member of the Leadvisor to the Commongal Education Commitwealth Judicial Education Institute (Canada). tee of the Bar Council Author of several books, of India, and later, as articles, and monographs on a variety of legal subjects, the first Secretary of he was honoured with the the Bar Council Trust, Padma Shri in 2003. Appreciating his efforts for found- Dr Menon influenced ing the NUJS, the Internathe shaping of legal tional Bar Association had honoured him with the Liv- education policies ing Legend of Law Award in 1994. The Bar Council of India had also presented a Plaque of Honour to him for his contributions to the legal profession. Currently, he is the Scholar-In Residence of the Faculty of Law, AMU, and heading a committee constituted to evolve a comprehensive policy for autonomy of Central educational institutions.

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An accomplished career diplomat N

Nirupama Rao

India’s Envoy to the US

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irupama Rao is the incumbent Ambassador of India to the United States of America. Before this, she was the Foreign Secretary of India for a period of two years, the second woman (after Chokila Iyer) to hold the post.

Born on December 6, 1950, in Malappuram, Kerala, Nirupama did her schooling from Bengaluru, Pune, Lucknow, and Coonoor. She did her BA (English) Honors from Mount Carmel College, in Bengaluru in 1970, when it was affiliated with Bangalore University. Later, she obtained her Masters in English Literature from what was then known as Marathwada University in Maharashtra. She topped the All India Civil Services Examination in 1973 and joined the Indian Foreign Service (IFS). On completion of her training, she served in the Indian Embassy in Vienna (Austria) in mid-seventies. She did a stint as First Secretary in the Indian High Commission in Sri Lanka from 1981-83.

During her early years in the Ministry of External Affairs, she specialised in India’s relations with China, and was a member of the delegation of Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi when he made

his historic visit to Beijing in December 1988. She has served the government in several capacities, including Minister for Press Affairs in Washington, Deputy Chief of Mission in Moscow, stints in the Ministry of External Affairs as Joint Secretary (East Asia, External Publicity), making her the first This former foreign woman spokesperson of the secretary has served External Affairs Ministry, Chief of Personnel, Ambas- the government in sevsador to Peru and China, eral capacities before, and High Commissioner to Sri Lanka. Nirupama was a including Minister for Fellow at the Weatherhead Press Affairs in WashCenter for International Affairs at Harvard Univer- ington, Deputy Chief sity in 1992-93, where she of Mission in Moscow, specialised on Asia-Pacific Security. She was conand as Joint Secretary ferred the degree of Doctor of Letters by Pondicherry University in May 2012. She has written a book of poetry, named Rain Rising. Her poems have been translated into Chinese and Russian. Rao’s ambassadorial agenda includes working with Washington to bring stability to Afghanistan as it prepares for withdrawal of the US-led troops in 2014.

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Poet of the people O

Prof O N V Kurup Poet, lyricist, professor

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ttaplakkal Nambiyadikkal Velu Kurup, popularly known as ONV, is a famous Malayalam poet and lyricist who won the Jnanpith Award, the highest literary award in India, for the year 2007. He is considered one of the greatest living poets in India. He has been honoured with the Padma Vibhushan. He was also bestowed with an Honorary Doctorate

by University of Kerala.

ONV was born to O N Krishna Kurup and K Lakshmikutty Amma at Chavara in Kollam. After graduating in Economics, he joined Travancore University (now Kerala University) and pursued Master of Arts in Malayalam literature. He was a lecturer at Maharajas College, Ernakulam, University College, Thiruvananthapuram, Arts and Science College, Kozhikode, and Brennen College, Thalassery.

He served as the Head of Malayalam Department at Government Women’s College, Thiruvananthapuram. He was also a visiting professor at Calicut University. His first published poem was Munnottu (Forward), which appeared in a local weekly in 1946. His first poetry collection, Porutunna Soundaryam, came out in

1949. He has also published a book titled Dahikunna Panapatram (The Thirsty Chalice), which was a collection of his early poems between 1946 and 1956.

In addition to the valuable contributions he has made to the Malayalam literature, he is one of In addition to the valuthe leading lyricists able contributions he in the Malayalam film/drama/album has made to the Maindustry. He has taken layalam literature, ONV part in many dramas enacted by the Kerala is one of the leading People’s Arts Club, lyricists in the Malaywhich played a major role in the revolution- alam film/drama/album ary movements of the industry. He has won state.

It was in 1956 that the Jnanpith Award ONV had for the first time penned lyrics for a Malayalam film, Kalam Marunnu.

Since then he has been active in the film industry.

So far, he has won one National Award and 13 State Awards. He has penned about 900 songs for more than 230 films and numerous songs for plays and albums.

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‘Bhava Gayakan’ of Kerala P

P Jayachandran Playback singer

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alliyath Jayachandran is a National Award-winning playback singer from Kerala. He has won the Kerala State Film Award four times, the Tamil Nadu State Film Award four times, and the Kalaimamani Award from the Tamil Nadu government for his contribution to Tamil film music.

He is affectionately called the Bhava Gayakan (emotive singer).

At the tender age of eight, he learnt the notes of Mridangam and began singing devotional songs in churches. His father, Ravivarma Kochaniyan Thampuran of the Cochin Royal Family, was a learned musician, and mother Subhadra Kunjamma Paliyam Swarupam a music lover. Jayachandran received his first State Award in 1972 for the song Neelagiriyude in the Malayalam film Panitheeratha Veedu, composed

by M S Viswanathan. In 1975, he rendered Velli Then Kinnam Pol for the Malayalam film Penpada. Winner of a State Award in 1978, he was honoured with the prestigious National Award in 1985 for the song Sivasankara Sarva Saranya Vibho for the film Sree Narayana Guru. A song from the film Niram brought him the

third State Award in 1998. He also received the first Asianet Award and the Arabian Award for the same song.

Jayachandran is one of the singers who has delivered a lot of hits for Tamil music maestro Ilayaraja. His famous songs are Raasaathi Unnai and Kaathirundhu Kaathirundhu from VaidWinner of a State hegi Kaathirundhaal, MaAward in 1978, Jayyanginen Solla Thayanginen from Naaney Raaja achandran was honNaaney Mandhiri, Vaaloured with the preskaiye Vesham from Aarilirundhu Arubathu Varai, tigious National Award Poova Eduthu Oru from in 1985 for the song Amman Kovil Kizhakaaley, and Thaalaattudhey Vaan- Sivasankara Sarva Saam from Kadal Meengal. ranya Vibho for the film In 2001, he was selected as the most valuable singer Sree Narayana Guru in Malayalam films by the Swaralaya Kairali Yesudas Award Committee. A versatile singer, he has rendered about 1,000 songs for Malayalam films so far. He has also proved his acting talent in a few Malayalam films. In 2008, for the first time, he sang in Hindi for the film ADA...A Way of Life, along with Alka Yagnik.

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A progressive, caring NRI D

Dr P Mohamed Ali NRI businessman

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r P Mohamed Ali is a renowned Oman-based NRI businessman, philanthropist, and promoter of educational institutions. Founder of the Galfar Group, he has made significant contributions to infrastructure development in Oman and India and is regarded as a caring patron of the large Indian expatriate community in the Gulf region.

Dr Ali, a civil engineer, had arrived in Oman in 1972 and laid the foundation of the Group’s flagship company Galfar Engineering and Contracting Co, the largest private sector employer in the country. Over the years, Dr Ali’s business interests and operations have expanded to Abu Dhabi, Qatar, Kuwait, and India.

The Galfar Group directly employs over 65,000 people of different nationalities. The Group’s engagements cover the domains of civil and industrial construction; oil and gas; roads and bridges; manufacturing; heavy equipment; electrical and instrumentation; water and waste water management; education and hospitality. Dr Ali’s initiatives in Oman’s education sector include the Indian School, the Caledonian College of

Engineering, the Oman Medical College, and two operator training institutes that help young Omani nationals learn key heavy equipment and vehicle operation skills.

Dr Ali’s business ventures in India include Mfar Constructions in Bengaluru, and Mfar Hotels at Cochin, which Dr Ali’s business venmaintains the Le Meridian tures in India include Hotel and the International Convention Centre. Dr Mfar Constructions in Ali is a Founder-Director Bengaluru, and Mfar of Cochin International Airport Ltd, and Infrastruc- Hotels at Cochin, ture Kerala Limited, both which maintains the Le companies promoted by the Government of Kerala. Meridian Hotel and the The uplift of his native International Convenvillage community has always been close to Dr Ali’s tion Centre heart. In 2005, he founded the Talikulam Vikas Trust to help his fellow villagers. Besides, his PM Foundation promotes education among backward communities.

He is the Chairman of the Social Advancement Foundation of India, which helps weaker sections of society. He has been honoured with the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman.

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‘Payyoli Express’ grooms new athletes P

P T Usha

Former Athlete

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ilavullakandi Thekkeparambil Usha is one of the greatest athletes India has ever produced. Known as ‘Payyoli Express’, Usha has won 101 international medals for the country. She has been honoured with the Padma Shri and the Arjuna Award.

It was in 1976 that the Kerala government started a Sports School for women, and Usha was chosen to represent her district, Kozhikode. In 1979, when Usha participated in the National School Games, she was noticed by O M Nambiar, who went on to coach her throughout her career.

Usha made her debut in international athletics with participation in the Pakistan Open National Meet in 1980. She won four Gold Medals at the Athletics Meet.

The same year, she look part in the Moscow Olympics, though it proved to be uneventful. In the 1982 New Delhi Asiad, she won the silver medal in the 100m and the 200m events, and a year later, she struck gold in the 400m event at the Asian Track and Field Championship in Kuwait with a new Asian record. From 1983-89, Usha garnered 13 golds at ATF meets.

At the 1984 Los Angeles Olym-

pics, she finished first in the semifinals of the 400 metres hurdles, but faltered in the finals. She was the first Indian woman to reach the final of an Olympic event.

At the 6th Asian Track and Field Championship in Jakarta in 1985, Usha won five golds. The Payyoli Express A year later, at the has won 101 inter10th Asian Games in Seoul, she won four national medals for golds and one silver India. At the 1984 Los medal in the track and field events, with Angeles Olympics, new records in all the she finished first in the events.

Even after her semifinals of the 400 retirement from metres hurdles, but the track, she is very much active faltered in the finals in sports. She runs a sports school for girls, ‘Usha School of Athletics’, at Koyilandi, Kozhikode, grooming future athletes. The method of study, exercise, diet, psychological counselling, and attitude building are carefully planned and scientifically devised with the help of internationally acclaimed experts in the respective fields.

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Dynamic lady at the helm P

Pamela Anna Mathew Entrepreneur

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amela Anna Mathew, the Managing Director of Kochi-based O/E/N, is a dynamic entrepreneur.

Her father, K A Mathew, had started O/E/N in 1968. The eldest among three siblings, Pamela took over the company after her father’s death in 1986. She was the first woman to serve as the Chairperson of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) Kerala Council (2002-03). She has bagged the award for the best Chairperson of CII at the national level, for outstanding contributions to the industry. A post-graduate in economics, Pamela had joined the family establishment, O/E/N India Ltd, in 1974 as an executive trainee looking after inventories. An MBA holder, she gradually learnt the complexities of manufacturing electromechanical components like relays, switches, and other electronic items. She has 30 years of professional managerial experience. Pamela’s company is the market leader in the country in the field of electromechanical components. It caters to the needs of industry players in the Communications, Industrial Controls, Data Processing, Automotive, Defence, and Instrumen-

tation market segments. The quality management systems of the company are covered by ISO 9001 and ISO/ TS 16949 certifications. The manufacturing facilities of the company are located in Kochi (Kerala), Bengaluru, (Karnataka), and Pune (Maharashtra).

Being firm but compasShe was the first sionate with the workforce is woman to serve as a mantra Pamela had learnt from her father. She is the Chairperson of CII past President of the Cochin Kerala Council. She Chamber of Commerce, the Kerala Management Assobagged the award for ciation, and the Electronic the best Chairperson of Components Industries Association. Pamela is also CII at the national level closely associated with the for outstanding contriKerala State Productivity Council, and the Confedera- butions to the industry tion of Indian Industry.

Pamela is a role model for upcoming entrepreneurs. The Kerala Management Association had conferred the Management Leadership Award on her in 2011 for managerial excellence. Kerala State Industrial Development Corporation Ltd selected her for the Outstanding Entrepreneurship Award in 2011.

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The living legend of Ayurveda L

Dr P K Warrier

World renowned Ayurvedic physician

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ed by the legendary Ayurvedic physician Dr Panniyampilly Krishna Warrier, Kottakal Arya Vaidya Sala (AVS) has played a significant role in popularising the ancient healing system across the world.

As the Managing Trustee and Chief Physician of over a century old AVS, he has rendered yeoman service to the growth of Ayurveda in every respect.

A much sought after clinician of international repute, Dr Warrier’s keen interest in enrichment of the science and practice of Ayurveda has resulted in many valuable academic lectures and publications. He has imbibed the visionary zeal of his illustrious uncle, late Vaidyaratnam P S Varier as well as the modernistic outlook of his enthusiastic brother, the late P M Varier. He has been honoured with the Padma Bhushan for his meritorious service.

AVS, which started as a small village clinic in 1902, distributes its medicines all over India and abroad through 25 full-fledged branches, more than 1400 authorised dealers, and four hospitals. AVS is widely accepted as India’s authentic Ayurvedic treatment and research centre.

By setting up modern manufacturing units and increasing production without compromising on values and quality, AVS has made traditional medicine available in capsule, tablet, granule, and gel forms. AVS provides the traditional Panchakarma (five detoxification processes) therapies Dr P K Warrier has imat its hospitals. AVS is bibed the visionary zeal also involved in research in various fields of Ayur- of his illustrious uncle, veda, such as medicinal the late Vaidyaratnam plants, processing and production.

P S Varier, as well AVS has a publicaas the modernistic tion division which brings out a scienoutlook of his enthusitific journal, reports astic brother, the and books. It extends financial support to the late P M Varier Vaidyaratnam P S Varier Ayurveda College at Kottakkal. On the cultural front, it has a Kathakali troupe, known as the P S V Natyasangham, for propagation of the ancient classical dance-drama.

Dr Warrier has written his autobiography, Smritiparvam, and also authored a book called Padamudrakal, a collection of scientific papers.

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Turning Rs 50 to Rs 15 billion P

P N C Menon Entrepreneur

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uthan Neduvakkatt Chenthamaraksha Menon is an NRI entrepreneur based in Oman. With Rs 50 in his pocket, Menon began his entrepreneurial journey with a ticket to the Sultanate of Oman. With borrowed capital, he set up an interior decoration firm in 1976. Today, he runs the Rs 15 billion worth Sobha Group of Companies, which has major presence in the construction and real estate development sectors. Menon founded Sobha Developers Ltd in Bangalore in 1995. Today, the company has presence in more than 22 cities and 13 states of the country. It has completed about 80 residential projects and more than 200 contractual projects. Alongside his business, Menon has given equal importance to Sobha Group’s Corporate Social Responsibility programmes. The Group’s innovative CSR initiatives, aimed at empowering the rural poor, include Graamasobha, Sobha Academy, Sobha Health Care, Sobha Hermitage, and the Social Wedding Programme.

Graamasobha is a unique social developmental initiative sponsored by the Sri Kurumba Trust that aims to achieve comprehensive, sustainable social empowerment of below poverty line

families in Vadakkenchery and Kizhakkenchery grama panchayats in Palakkad district of Kerala. About 2,500 families have been adopted through an in-depth scientific poverty mapping programme called Social Empowerment Mapping Exercise as part of a Vision 2020 plan.

The programme covers Menon founded Sobha key human development Developers in Bangalore verticals like education, health, employment, in 1995. Today, Sobha water, sanitation, housing, Developers has presence and various other social empowerment measures. in more than 22 citSobha Academy is a trainies and 13 states of the ing centre that offers world class training in building country. It has completconstruction with state-ofed about 80 residential the-art facilities. He was awarded the prestigious projects Pravasi Bharatiya Samman by the President of India on the occasion of the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas in 2009. He was also nominated to the Prime Minister’s Advisory Council of Overseas Indians. Menon, who occupied the 897th position in the Forbes world billionaire list of 2008, is one of the richest Indians in the Gulf Cooperation Council countries.

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A great orator and writer A

Prakash Karat

General Secretary, CPI(M)

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noted politician known for his strong oratory, Prakash Karat has given a modern face to the Communist Party of India (Marxist). He is the current CPI(M) General Secretary.

Born in Letpadan, Myanmar, on February 7, 1948, into a family that hails from Elappully, Palakkad, Karat studied at Madras Christian College School in Chennai, and later, graduated in Economics from Madras Christian College with distinction. He then secured a scholarship at Britain’s University of Edinburgh for a Masters degree in politics. In 1970, he received an MSc degree from Edinburgh University for the thesis ‘Language and politics in modern India’.

It was at Edinburgh that Karat became active in student politics and met Professor Victor Kiernan, a well-known Marxist historian. His political activism began with the antiapartheid protests at the University.

Karat then returned to India in 1970 and joined the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), New Delhi, for a PhD programme. He worked as an aide to A K Gopalan, the then leader of the CPI(M) group in Parliament, from 1971 to 1973, while doing his PhD.

He was the president of the JNU Students’ Union from 1972-1973.

One of the founders of the Students Federation of India, he served as its President from 1974-1979. He became the Secretary of Delhi State Committee of CPI(M) in 1982. He held the post until In 1992, he was elected his election to the to the Polit Bureau of the Central Committee of the CPI(M) in CPI(M), and designated 1985. In 1992, he as the General Secretary was elected to the Polit Bureau of the of the CPI(M) at the 18th CPI(M), and desigParty Congress in 2005, nated as the General Secretary of the a post he holds even CPI(M) at the 18th today Party Congress in 2005, a post he holds even today. He is part of the Editorial Board of the theoretical journal of the CPI(M), ‘The Marxist’, and the Managing Director of Left Word Books, a leading Left wing publishing house.

He has authored Language, Nationality and Politics in India, and Subordinate Ally: The Nuclear Deal and India-US Strategic Relations.

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A thriving film-maker P

Priyadarshan

Film director, producer, screenwriter

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riyadarshan Nair is a National Award-winning film director, producer, and screenwriter. In a career spanning about three decades, Priyadarshan has directed over 80 films in several Indian languages, including Malayalam, Hindi, Tamil, and Telugu.

Born in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, Priyadarshan did his MA in Psychology from University College, Thiruvananthapuram. The son of a college librarian, he was a voracious reader during his teenage years. During his college days, he had written short plays and skits for Akashavani.

He was one of the first directors in India to introduce rich colour grading, clear sound, and quality dubbing.

Priyadarshan initially worked as an assistant scriptwriter in a couple of movies. Some of the Malayalam films for which he had written scripts turned into huge hits. In 1984, he made his debut as director with Poochakkoru Mookkuthi. In 1988, he directed Vellanakalude Nadu, based on a script by seasoned actor and screenwriter Sreenivasan, with veteran Malayalam actor Mohanlal in the lead role. This film revolved around corruption and other social issues. This film ended up

becoming one of the biggest hits in Priyadarshan’s career. He is known for his successful collaborations with Mohanlal during the 1980s and 1990s.

In 1996, Priyadarshan came up with his dream project, Kaalapani, a period film based on Indian struggle for Independence. This film, originally filmed in In 2007, his Tamil film Malayalam, was also dubbed Kanchivaram won the and released in Tamil, Telugu, and Hindi simultaNational Film Award for neously. Kaalapani brought Best Feature Film. The him several awards for the first time in his career. The Government of India film received three National honoured him with the Awards for best cinematography, best art direction, and Padma Shri in 2012 best special effects. Upon for his contributions to entering Bollywood, he had adapted stories from popular Indian cinema Malayalam comedy films.

These include Hera Pheri, Hungama, Hulchul, Garam Masala, Bhagam Bhag, Chup Chup Ke, Dhol, and Bhool Bhulaiyaa. In 2007, his Tamil film Kanchivaram won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film.

The Government of India honoured him with the Padma Shri in 2012 for his artistic contributions.

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A visionary business leader R

R Gopalakrishnan Corporate professional

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Gopalakrishnan is an Executive Director with the major corporate house Tata Sons, a holding company of one of the largest Indian business conglomerates, The Tata Group.

Gopalakrishnan graduated in Physics from St Xavier’s College, Calcutta. An engineering degree holder from IITKharagpur, he attended the Advanced Management Programme at Harvard Business School. Gopalakrishnan joined Hindustan Lever (now Hindustan Unilever) as a management trainee in 1967. In 1987, he joined the company’s management committee as Executive Director of exports. In 1991, he was appointed as Chairman of Unilever Arabia, based in Jeddah, to establish and manage Unilever’s consumer products business in Arab countries. On his return to India in 1995, Gopalakrishnan was appointed as Managing Director of Brooke Bond Lipton. Following the company’s merger with HLL, he was designated as Vice-Chairman of Hindustan Lever.

After 31 years with Hindustan Lever, Gopalakrishnan joined Tata Sons in September 1998 as its Executive Director. He is the Chairman of Tata Auto Comp Systems, Rallis India, and Metahelix Life Sciences, and Vice-Chairman

of Tata Chemicals. He serves as a Director at Tata Power and Tata Technologies. He is also holding the post of an independent Director on the boards of the Indian subsidiary of Akzo Nobel and Castrol India. Gopalakrishnan is a past president of the All India Management Association. In 2007, he After 31 years with authored his first book, Hindustan Lever, The Case of the Bonsai Manager: Lessons for Gopalakrishnan joined Managers on Intuition, Tata Sons in September published by Penguin India. In 2010, his 1998 as its Executive second book, When The Director. A renowned Penny Drops: Learning What Is Not Taught, writer, he serves as a was also published by Director at Tata Power Penguin India. His third book, What The CEO and Tata Technologies Really Wants From You: Four Straight As, is ready for publication by Harper Collins India. He has delivered guest lectures in India and abroad, and his articles have been published widely. He has also taught a credit course, ‘LWNT – Learning What’s Not Taught’, at the Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad, and other prestigious institutions.

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Tata’s trusted lieutenant R

R K Krishna Kumar Corporate leader

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K Krishna Kumar serves as a Senior Member of the Group Corporate Centre (GCC), the decision-making body that defines and directs the business endeavours of the Tata Group. Kumar holds a Master’s degree from Presidency College, University of Madras.

Kumar has nearly 40 years’ experience in management services at Tata Group. He was honoured with the Padma Shri in 2008. He was initially posted with Tata Industries, after which he moved to other Group companies. Once he joined TataFinlay, he became involved with Tata Group’s tea and coffee businesses.

His association with the plantation business had begun in 1982, when he was posted as the Vice-President of South India Plantation Division in Kochi. He had moved to Kolkata as Joint Managing Director of Tata Tea in 1988 and served as its Managing Director from May 1991 to January 1998. He served as Managing Director of Indian Hotels Co Ltd from August 29, 1997, to July 18, 2003.

He serves as the Chairman of various Tata Group companies. He is also the Vice-Chairman of Taj Hotels Resorts

and Palaces. He has been ViceChairman of Tata Global Beverages Limited (formerly Tata Tea Ltd) since 1997, and Vice-Chairman and NonExecutive Director of Indian Hotels Co. He also served as Chairman of the Board and Director of Indian Resorts Hotels Limited.

He has been a Director of Krishna Kumar has Tata Global Beverages Limnearly 40 years’ ited since May 5, 1987, and a Non-Executive Director of experience in manageOriental Hotels Limited since ment services at Tata September 21, 1997.

Currently, Kumar is a Group. He was initially director on the Tata Sons posted with Tata Inboard, Chairman of Tata Coffee, Infiniti Retail (Croma), dustries, after which he Tata Realty and Infrastrucmoved to other Group ture, Casa Décor, Tata Housing and Development Comcompanies pany, and Vice-Chairman of Tata Tea and Indian Hotels.

Kumar is a trustee of the Sir Dorabji Tata Trust, the Sir Ratan Tata Trust and some allied Tata trusts. He is a member of the governing council of the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, and Chairman of the governing board of Tata Institute of Social Sciences.

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A doyen of diplomacy R

Ranjan Mathai

India’s Foreign Secretary

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anjan Mathai is the incumbent Indian Foreign Secretary. He assumed charge in August 2011.

Born in 1952, Mathai hails from Thiruvalla in Pathanamthitta district of Kerala. He joined the Indian Foreign Service (IFS) in 1974, after completing post-graduate studies in Political Science from University of Pune. He has served at Indian embassies in Vienna, Colombo, Washington, Tehran, and Brussels.

As Joint Secretary (BSM) in the Ministry of External Affairs in New Delhi (January 1995 to February 1998), he headed the Division dealing with India’s relations with Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, and Maldives.

He was India’s Ambassador to Israel from February 1998 to June 2001, and to Qatar from August 2001 to July 2005. He held the post of Deputy High Commissioner of India to the UK from August 2005 to January 2007. Before his appointment as the Foreign Secretary, he had served as India’s Ambassador to France, with concurrent accreditation to the Principality of Monaco. Mathai recently stressed upon the need for

expediting construction of the TransAsian Highway, connecting India to other South Asian countries. He said this was a matter of priority for the government. “It is important to make this connection to the rest of South Asia. We have been discussing the highways with ASEAN and working things Ranjan Mathai last out. The stretch that we served as the Amare concentrating on is the Indo-Myanmar stretch. The bassador of India to rest of the countries will France, with concurrent have to look at their own stretches,” Mathai said. accreditation to the Under Mathai’s leaderPrincipality of Monaco. ship, India is also trying to strengthen the dialogue pro- He assumed the office cess with Pakistan. Mathai of Foreign Secretary on recently met his Pakistani counterpart Jalil Abbas August 1, 2011 Jeelani in New Delhi and held constructive talks with him. During the meeting, India and Pakistan considered introducing additional confidence building measures across the line of control in Jammu and Kashmir, including pilgrimage, bank facilities for bilateral trade, and six-month multiple entry permits for people-to-people contact.

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Proud winner of Oscar R

Resul Pookutty

Sound designer, editor, and mixer

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esul Pookutty is an Academy Award-winning film sound designer, sound editor, and mixer.

He, along with Richard Pryke and Ian Tapp, won the Academy Award for Best Sound Mixing for the film Slumdog Millionaire. He also won an award for the same film from the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA).

Born into a middle class family in Vilakkupara in Kollam district of Kerala, Resul first pursued graduation in law. But his desire to be a part of the film world made him drop law and pursue a course in direction at the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII), Pune. However, he couldn’t get into the stream he desired for. He made up for that by joining a course in Sound Recording and Sound Designing.

Resul made his debut in sound design with the 1997 film Private Detective: Two Plus Two Plus One, directed

by Rajat Kapoor. He got his big break in 2005, with the critically acclaimed film Black, directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali. He subsequently engineered sound for major productions like Musafir (2004), Zinda (2006), Traf-

fic Signal (2007), Gandhi, My Father (2007), Saawariya (2007) and Dus Kahaniyaan (2007). It was his first major international project, Slumdog Millionaire, that won him an Academy Award in 2009. Recently, Resul collaborated with the International Indian Film Academy Foundation (IIFA) Resul, along with to provide scholarships Richard Pryke and Ian to students from FTII. In 2010, the Resul PookuttyTapp, won the Academy IIFA Foundation provided Award for Best Sound annual scholarships worth Rs 224,000 to promote bud- Mixing for the film ding technical talents.

Slumdog Millionaire.

In 2010, Resul was honoured with the Padma He also won an award Shri. His journey from a for the same film from small village in Kerala to the Kodak Theatre in Los the BAFTA Angeles is truly inspirational for anyone who dreams of making it big in the film industry.

Resul recently engineered sound for a documentary, Liv and Ingmar, by Norwegian actress Liv Ullmann. The documentary is a tribute to Ingmar Bergman, an acclaimed Swedish director, writer, and producer for film, stage, and television.

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A vital part of the Infosys legend T

S D Shibulal IT Entrepreneur

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he success story of India’s legendary IT firm Infosys is not complete without due reference to S D Shibulal.

As the CEO, Managing Director, and Co-founder of India’s largest IT firm Infosys Technologies Ltd, he has played a significant role in shaping India’s IT saga.

Hailing from the coastal district of Alleppey in Kerala, Shibulal, popularly known as Shibu, took over the CEO’s post at Infosys from Kris Gopalakrishnan on August 21, 2011.

He holds a Master’s degree in Physics from Kerala University and an MS in Computer Science from Boston University. Shibu started his career in 1978 with the Bombay Electric Supply and Transport Undertaking (now Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport Undertaking). In 1980, he moved to Patni Computer Systems in Bangalore, where he met N R Narayana Murthy.

A year later, Infosys was co-founded.

Shibu had left Infosys in 1991 to join Sun Microsystems. But he returned to Infosys after five years. Shibu has held a number of senior leadership roles at Infosys, including Head of Worldwide Sales and Customer Delivery, and Head of Infosys Manufacturing and Distribu-

tion, and Internet Consulting Practice.

Shibu was instrumental in the evolution of the Global Delivery Model, which is considered the industry standard for delivery of outsourced IT service. Before becoming the CEO, he had served as the Chief Operating Officer of the company between June 22, 2007, and Shibu is focussed on August 20, 2011. As the strengthening strategic CEO, Shibu is focussed on strengthening strapartnership with clitegic partnerships with ents, increasing client clients, increasing client relevance, and evolving relevance, and evolving the company’s business the company’s busimodel towards achieving Infosys’ aspirations of be- ness model towards coming the next generaachieving Infosys’ tion global consulting and IT services corporation. aspirations Shibu is the Chair of the World Economic Forum’s Global Agenda Council on Emerging Multinationals, and the Co-chair of the Confederation of Indian Industries National Committee on IT, ITES and e-Commerce. He is a member of the Board of Trustees, the International Advisory Board, and the Metropolitan College Dean’s Advisory Board of Boston University.

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Trend-setter in feminist writing S

Sarah Joseph

Writer, social activist

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arah Joseph is a novelist and short story writer in Malayalam. She has won the Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award, the Kendra Sahitya Akademi Award, and the Vayalar Award for her novel Aalahayude Penmakkal (Daughters of God, the Father).

Considered to be a leading woman storyteller in the league of Madhavikutty (Kamala Surayya), Sarah has been at the forefront of the feminist movement in Kerala and is the founder of Manushi, a forum for women’s rights and democratic reforms.

Sarah was born into a Christian family at Kuriachira in Thrissur city in 1946. She began her professional career as a school teacher. Later, she did her MA in Malayalam and joined the collegiate service in Kerala. She has served as a Professor of Malayalam at Sanskrit College, Pattambi.

Sarah’s literary career began while she was in high school. Many of her poems appeared in Malayalam weeklies. Good at reciting poems at poets’ meetings, she had received appreciation from some of the great poets of Kerala.

Later, she took to fiction and began writing short stories. Her col-

lection of short stories, Paapathara, is considered a milestone in feminist writing in Malayalam.

She has published a trilogy including Aalahayude Penmakkal, Mattathi, and Othappu. Her works are essentially liberalistic, and have always been powerful enough to convey the plight Considered to be a of suppressed groups. The leading woman storynovel Othappu is about a woman’s yearning for a true teller in the league of understanding of spiritualMadhavikutty, Sarah ity and her own sexuality.

It has been translated into Joseph has been at the English by Valson Thampu forefront of the feminist with the title Othappu: The Scent of the Other Side. movement in Kerala.

In 2011, Sarah won the She is the founder of Muttathu Varkey Award for Paapathara.

Manushi She has won much critical acclaim for her Ramayana Kathakal. This work has been translated into English. Sarah’s novel Aathi has water as its theme. “At one level, the novel deals with the sociopolitical aspects of the human right to water. At another, it is an attempt to explore man’s spiritual connection with water,” says Sarah.

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Founder of Asianet S

Sashi Kumar Media personality

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ashi Kumar is a prominent media personality of Kerala. He was the Founder of Kerala’s first regional satellite TV channel Asianet. He founded and chairs the Media Development Foundation, a not-for-profit public trust which set up and runs the prestigious Asian College of Journalism in Chennai. He was the first West Asia correspondent of The Hindu in the mid-eighties. He directed the film Kaya Taran in Hindi, based on the short story When Big Trees Fall by writer N S Madhavan.

Sashi Kumar was born at Karoopadanna near Kodungalloor in Thrissur district of Kerala. He completed his graduation from Loyola College, Chennai, and postgraduation in History from Madras Christian College. Sashi Kumar started his career in Doordarshan as a newsreader and producer. Later, he worked in PTI-TV as Chief Producer and General Manager of PTI. He has authored and presented independent programmes on economy, politics, and culture on Indian television.

His film Kaya Taran (Chrysalis) won him the G Aravindan Award as the best debut filmmaker of 2004.

He has acted in Malayalam movies Iniyum Marichittillatha Nammal and Loudspeaker. He is a member of the Empowered Committee on Information, Communication, and Technology, Prime Minister’s Office, New Delhi, a member and India Director on the Board of Real News – Independent World Sashi Kumar is a memTelevision, and a member of ber of the Empowered the Anjuman (court) of the Jamia Millia Islamia Univer- Committee on Informasity, Delhi. He has received tion, Communication the South Asia Foundation Award and the Vijayaraand Technology, Prime ghavan Memorial Award for Minister’s Office, and contribution to journalism.

Sashi Kumar is of the a member of the Anjuopinion that the process of man of Jamia Millia renaissance in the media world should begin from Islamia University Kerala. In the era of the RTI Act and Wikileaks, information rushes to the people and none can cover up anything for long. “At the same time, credibility and freedom are equally important in media work. The faith of the people is paramount, and it is the duty of the media to see to it that it is not lost,” says Sashi Kumar.

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Man of versatility D

Dr Shashi Tharoor

Former diplomat, writer and politician

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r Shashi Tharoor is an Indian Member of Parliament, and former Minister of State for External Affairs. He was the Under-Secretary General of the United Nations for Communications and Public Information between June 2002 and February 2007. A successful author and human rights activist, he has served as the United Nations peacekeeper and refugee worker.

Born in London to Lily and Chandran Tharoor, both Keralites, Dr Tharoor was educated in India and the US. He did his PhD in 1978 from the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University, where he received the Robert B Stewart Prize for Best Student.

Dr Tharoor was also awarded an honorary D.Litt. by University of Puget Sound, and a Doctorate Honoris Causa in History by University of Bucharest.

He was the official candidate of India for the succession to UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan in 2006, and came a close second (to Ban Ki-Moon) out of seven contenders in the race. At the UN, he had also served as a senior advisor to the

Secretary-General, and handled key responsibilities in peacekeeping after the Cold War. Dr Tharoor has penned 12 books, as well as hundreds of articles, newspaper columns, and book reviews in a wide range of publications, including The New York Times, The He was the official Washington Post, Los candidate of India for Angeles Times, International Herald Tribune, the succession to UN Time, Newsweek, and Secretary-General Kofi The Times of India.

For two years, he has Annan in 2006, and served as a Contributing came a close second Editor and an occasional columnist for Newsweek (to Ban Ki-Moon) out International. of seven contenders in In 1998, Dr Tharoor was named a “Global the race Leader of Tomorrow” by the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. He is the recipient of several awards, including the Commonwealth Writers’ Prize, the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman, the Pride of India Award from the Zakir Husain Memorial Foundation, and the Hakim Khan Sur Award for National Integration.

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The man behind the nuclear deal S

Shivshankar Menon National Security Advisor

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hivshankar Menon is the present National Security Advisor to the Prime Minister of India. Prior to this assignment, he was the Foreign Secretary.

Born on July 5, 1949, Menon is a native of Ottapalam in Palakkad district of Kerala. He hails from a family of diplomats and aristocrats.

He is the grandson of K P S Menon, who was the first Foreign Secretary of India. Menon did his schooling from Scindia School, Gwalior, and Masters in History from Delhi University.

He started his career with the Indian Foreign Service in 1972. He has served with distinction in every portfolio that was allotted to him at the Ministry of External Affairs and the Indian embassies in Beijing, Vienna, and Tokyo. Menon served in Beijing as Second Secretary from 1974 to 1977. After serving at Headquarters from 1977-79 as Under Secretary in charge of Africa and then China, he was posted to Vienna as First Secretary from 1979 to 1983, when he was also the Alternate Governor on the IAEA Board and Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN Organisations in Vienna. Thereafter, he served

as the Director in the Department of Atomic Energy in Mumbai from 1983 to 1986. Menon served again in Beijing as Counsellor and Deputy Chief of Mission from 1986 to 1989. He was the Deputy Chief of Mission in Tokyo from 1989 to 1992. From 1992 to1995, he served at Headquarters as Joint Secretary Shivshankar Menon in charge of the North East started his career with Division. He then served as the Ambassador in Israel the Indian Foreign Ser(1995-97), the High Comvice in 1972. He has missioner in Sri Lanka (1997-2000), the Ambassa- served in the Ministry dor in China (2000-2003), and the High Commissioner of External Affairs and in Pakistan (2003-2006). the Indian embassies The Indo-US nuclear deal is considered to be the in Beijing, Vienna, and milestone of his career as Tokyo he worked hard to convince the Nuclear Suppliers Group to get a clean waiver for nuclear supplies to India.

Despite his busy schedule, Menon has managed to keep up his interests in classical music and the Himalayas.

In 2000, the Scindia School conferred on Menon the ‘Madhav Award’ for being an alumnus of eminence.

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A pioneer of the arts N

Soorya Krishnamoorthy Promoter of arts, culture

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ataraja Krishnamoorthy, better known as Soorya Krishnamoorthy, is a promoter of arts and culture, and former scientist. He is the FounderDirector of the Soorya Stage and Film Society, Thiruvananthapuram, which promotes Indian arts and culture and is renowned for organising the Soorya Festival, the longest and one of the most prestigious cultural events in India. Presently, he is the Chairman of Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi.

Soorya is a pioneer of the Light and Sound Show in Malayalam. He is the man behind the new theatrical art form, ‘Theatre of Freedom’, which has completed 30 years.

He has also written, conceived, and directed various stage shows. The Society has chapters in Singapore, Malaysia, London, Manchester, Zurich, Vienna, Rome, Koln, Dublin, Bahrain, Kuwait, Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Muscat, Doha, and Saudi Arabia. Born on April 11, 1951, in Kottayam district, Soorya did his schooling from Government Model High School, Thiruvananthapuram, pre-degree from Government Arts College, and graduation in Bachelor of Engineering from TKM College of Engineering, Kollam. In 1972, he joined

the Indian Space Research Organisation as a scientist/engineer. He worked under scientists such as former President A P J Abdul Kalam, C R Sathya, M R Kurup, Dr V R Gowarikar, and S Srinivasan for a period of 27 years. He has served as the Director of the Kerala State Film Development CorporaSoorya Krishnamoortion, three terms in sucthy is a pioneer of the cession. He was a member of the National Film Light and Sound Show Award Jury, the Kerala in Malayalam. He is State Film Award Jury, the NFDC Script Comthe man behind the mittee, and the National new theatrical art form, Jury for selecting Indian Panorama films.

‘Theatre of Freedom’, He has won the which has completed Prathiba Pranam Award for Outstanding Creative 30 years Artiste in 1994, the John Abraham Award for the film Society of Country in 1994, the National Award for Stage Craft and Direction in 1996, selection as one of the 101 world renowned living Keralites of the millennium by the state government, and Man Of The Year Award in 2003 for contribution to the arts from Limca Book of Records.

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An inspiring spiritual master

Sri M

Spiritual mentor, educationist

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Mumtaz Ali Khan, popularly known as Sri M, is a yogi and spiritual master who has integrated the kernel of all religions.

Sri M was born in 1948 in Kerala.

He nurtured a keen interest towards spiritual pursuits since childhood.

When he turned nine, a yogi, Maheshwarnath Babaji, brought about inner transformation in him. It paved the way for his definitive encounter with Babaji, his Spiritual Master, in the Himalayas at the age of 19.

Sri M took to teaching a few years after his Master passed away.

Since 1998, he has been holding discourses and conducting satsangs. He now travels extensively, quietly and steadily teaching and guiding people as per his master’s instructions.

His autobiography, Apprenticed To A Himalayan Master – A Yogi’s Autobiography, recounts his fascinating journey and experiences. Once, when he was asked to comment on the spiritual evolution of a person and the path he could possibly follow, Sri M said, “My Himalayan Master taught me that spirituality was not to be advertised. And spiritual evolution does not happen like a big bang. It’s

like the Milky Way. In my case, I was born into a non-Hindu family, and at the age of nine, someone picked me up and put me on the spiritual path.

Though my parampara is kriya yoga, I don’t think it suits all aspirants. I propound satsang even between two people. It cuts across When he turned nine, a barriers of caste and yogi, Maheshwarnath creed. Spiritual evolution is not diverse from Babaji, brought about regular living. Intervals inner transformation in of solitude are necessary, but you cannot him. It paved the way shut yourself totally. for his definitive enThe world around you is your touchstone to counter with Babaji, his spiritual practice.” master, in the HimalaSri M often says, “Go to the core. Theo- yas at the age of 19 ries are of no use”. Sri M is married and has two children.

He leads a simple life – teaching and heading the Satsang Foundation, which serves as the meeting point for spiritual seekers, besides promoting excellence in education. At present, he lives in Madanapalle, Andhra Pradesh.

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Man with telecom, eco solutions S

Subash Menon Entrepreneur

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ubash Menon, an entrepreneur based in Bangalore, has founded companies in information technology and environmental services.

Subash founded Subex in 1992 with a startup capital of Rs 20,000.

Under his stewardship, Subex has transformed from a systems integrator in the telecom hardware space to the global leader in the telecom software space for business optimisation.

Subex, which had migrated to the software space in 2000, has registered a magnificent revenue growth from $1.5 million in 2000 to over $100 million, recording a CAGR of 42% over a 12-year period.

Subash charted Subex’s growth from its humble origins as a one-man company to a global thought leader in the telecom software space with the successful launch of several products and with over 200 customers in more than 70 countries in six continents.

He also guided the company through a successful IPO in 1999 and seven acquisitions in the UK, the US, and Canada.

Subash founded Kivar Environ in 2009 to tap the huge potential in the environmental services space.

The company provides solid waste management and water management services for Urban Local Bodies.

It pioneered the concept of integrated solid waste management in India and has introduced several innovations in the sector.

Having started with a 10-member team in Subash charted 2009, the company Subex’s growth from now employs more than 1,500 people its humble origins as across several operata one-man company ing subsidiaries.

The company to a global thought operates long-term leader in the telecom concessions (15 to 30 years) in the above software space with the mentioned sectors and successful launch of is poised to grow significantly in the years several products to come.

Subash has over 26 years of experience in the areas of general management, and sales and marketing. He has presented numerous papers on technology and business in various countries. He is a graduate in Electrical Engineering from the National Institute of Technology, Durgapur, West Bengal.

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A saviour of blighted souls S

Sugathakumari Poet, social activist

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ugathakumari is a poet and social activist who has been at the forefront of environmental and feminist movements in India.

Known for having played a pivotal role in the ‘Save Silent Valley’ protest in the 1970s, she established Abhayagramam, a home for destitute women and a daycare centre for the mentally ill. She is the former chairperson of the Kerala State Women’s Commission. Sugathakumari was the Principal of Jawahar Balabhavan, and editor of a magazine, Thaliru.

She always draws inspiration from her father Bodheswaran’s poetry as well as his strong beliefs. “He was a freedom fighter filled with the rare ideals of patriotism and sacrifice,” says Sugathakumari. He influenced her deeply and led her eventually to the conviction that a writer has an important obligation as society’s conscience-keeper.

As the founder of Abhaya (refuge), an organisation which gives shelter and hope to female mental patients, she set an example for social activists. It was a chance visit to a government-run mental hospital in Thiruvananthapuram that prompted

her to launch Abhaya.

The poor conditions of the inmates embedded in her mind, pushing her to do something about it. “Let this land be a refuge for the homeless and unfortunate,” the Dalai Lama had said while laying the foundation stone for Abhayagramam. It did become Known for having a refuge for the mentally played a pivotal role in ill, destitute, drug addicts, and children of the ‘Save Silent Valley’ social outcasts. protest in the 1970s, She also very actively takes part in protests she established Abhayagainst the policies of the agramam, a home for authorities that obstruct the environmental equidestitute women and a librium. Some of her imdaycare centre for the portant poetic works are Kurinjippookkal, Thumentally ill laavarshappacha, Pathirappookkal, Paavam Maanavahridayam, Irul Chirakukal, Raathrimazha, and Ambalamani. She has received many awards and recognitions, including the Padma Shri, the Sahitya Akademi Award, the Odakkuzhal Award, the Vayalar Award, the Kerala Sahithya Akademi Fellowship, and the Ezhuthachan Award.

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Anti-trafficking crusader N

Sunitha Krishnan Social activist

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amed as Newsweek’s 150 Fearless Women of the World, Sunitha Krishnan is an internationally renowned activist known for her crusade against sex trafficking.

Hailing from Palakkad, Sunitha has been instrumental in rescuing hundreds of women and children from commercial sexual exploitation. As the Founder General Secretary of Prajwala (an eternal flame), an organisation dedicated towards the fight against girl child trafficking for the purpose of commercial sexual exploitation, Sunitha is known for having taken some pathbreaking moves against sex trafficking. A rare breed, Sunitha has committed her life to the mission as a full-time volunteer in Prajwala. Spearheading the anti-trafficking movement in India, Sunitha has demonstrated that it is possible to prevent and combat sex trafficking. Till date, over 7,000 children of women in prostitution have been prevented from being inducted into flesh trade, more than 7,600 women and children have been rescued from sexual slavery and rehabilitated, and millions have been sensitised on the issue of sex trafficking. Sunitha has been instrumental in advocating

for anti-trafficking policies all over the country and has been successful in putting in place victim-friendly policies in Andhra Pradesh, and the Nirbhaya policy in Kerala. Sunitha has sensitised thousands of police officers, prosecutors, and judges on the issue of sex trafficking.

It is due to her sole efSunitha Krishnan is forts that many governthe Founder General ments are now looking at standards of care in Secretary of Praprotection services. Apart jwala, an organisation from spearheading MAT (Movement Against Traf- dedicated towards the ficking), she is responfight against girl child sible for facilitating a movement against paid trafficking. She has sex - MAD (Men Against rescued hundreds of Demand). Sunitha’s efforts have been recogwomen and children nised both nationally and internationally. She has received the Perdita Huston Human Rights Award, the International Justice Award, the Global Leadership Award, the CNN-Real Hero Award, the Vital Voices Human Rights Award, and the John Jay International Leader Award.

The Government of India has honoured her with the Stree Shakti Puraskar.

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Among gems in education sector S

Sunny Varkey Edupreneur

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unny Varkey, the Founder and Chairman of GEMS Education, is a visionary and education entrepreneur. His formula for creating schools of excellence includes an enterprising blend of high education standards, innovation, and customer service. The success he brought in with perseverance and dedication will remain a true inspiration for others who want to enter this field.

Sunny Varkey believes passionately that all children have the right to quality education. In his ongoing mission to effect qualitative changes in society, his philanthropic commitments have helped improve the lives of thousands. He believes education is the most important issue in the world today because of the impact that education can have in reducing conflict, prejudice, poverty, and intolerance.

The dearth of good schools that can match global standards is a major problem today, according to Varkey.

The developing world is also not an exception on this count. He suggests that the private sector can work with governments and help build good schools. Recognising that quality

education and healthcare are two key cornerstones in an individual’s life, he also ventured into the healthcare sector by setting up a private hospital and Welcare World Healthcare Systems Ltd, a firm specialised in healthcare management and consultancy. He built the first private hospital He believes passionin the UAE and pioately that all children neered the development of the private healthcare have the right to quality sector. education. His philanVarkey has received many honours for his thropic commitments service to society. In have helped improve 2002, he was named one of the top 50 Nonthe lives of thousands.

Resident Indians in the He was honoured with world.

In 2009, he was hon- the Padma Shri oured with the Padma Shri by the Government of India for his contributions to education. In April 2012, Varkey was named a UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador in recognition of his contribution to innovative public-private partnerships that promise quality education to underprivileged children across the world.

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An eternal wordsmith T

T J S George

Journalist, author

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hayil Jacob Sony George is a veteran journalist, writer, and biographer who received the Padma Bhushan in 2011 for his contributions in the field of literature and education.

The fourth of eight siblings, George was born in Kerala to Thayil Thomas Jacob, a magistrate, and Chachiamma Jacob, a housewife. He lives in Bangalore with his wife Ammu. His roots are in Thumpamon, Kerala.

George has achieved distinction internationally as a professional author, serious political columnist, and biographer. After graduating from Madras Christian College in Madras (now Chennai), with an Honors degree in English Literature, he began his career with The Free Press Journal (Mumbai) in 1950. He moved through the International Press Institute, The Searchlight, and the Far Eastern Economic Review to become the Founding Editor of Asiaweek (Hong Kong).

He is currently the Editorial Advisor of The New Indian Express. A veteran journalist and one of the best known columnists in India, he continues his fight against social injustice, corruption, and political anarchies

through his columns. Besides being an editor, columnist, author, and eternal wordsmith, he has also been a longtime China watcher. After a gap of 10 years, he went back to China in 2008 to witness the Olympic preparations and wrote a series of articles about modern China.

A veteran journalist and Few mediapersons one of the best known have experienced the romance of journalism columnists in India, in as great a measure as T J S George continues George has.

Some of his famous his fight against social books are Ghoshayatra, injustice, corruption, one of the most interesting memoirs ever and political anarchies written in Malayalam, through his hard-hitting Krishna Menon, Lee Kuan Yew’s Singapore, columns The Life and Times of Nargis, The Enquire Dictionary: Ideas, Issues, Innovations, and Lessons in Journalism The Story of Pothan Joseph.

Apart from the Padma Bhushan, he has won the Basheer Puraskaram, Rajyotsava Award, Mohammed Koya Journalism Award, and Patrika Academy Award.

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A top notch bureaucrat T

T K A Nair

Advisor to the Prime Minister

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K A Nair is the Advisor to the Prime Minister of India holding the rank of Minister of State. He is an Indian Administrative Service officer of the 1963 batch from the Punjab cadre. Nair had earlier served as the Principal Secretary to Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh for seven years.

He took charge as Advisor to the Prime Minister from October 3, 2011.

Born in Kerala, Nair is regarded as the most powerful bureaucrat in the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) and the second most powerful bureaucrat in the country. During 1997-98, Nair was the Principal Secretary in the PMO, when I K Gujral was the Prime Minister. He was appointed as the Chairman of the Public Enterprises Selection Board shortly before the fall of the Gujral government. He had served as the Principal Secretary even during the tenure of Atal Bihari Vajpayee as the Prime Minister. He was Secretary, Ministry of Environment and Forests in 1996-97, and the Special Secretary in the Planning Commission in 1995.

Nair was the Chief Secretary to the Government of Punjab in 199596. He has been a part of the Prime

Minister’s delegation at several foreign engagements, such as the 2005 Washington Summit with the former US President George Bush. He was also engaged in behind-the-scenes diplomacy on behalf of the Prime Minister. Currently, Nair also serves as a member of the Board of He is the most powerGovernors of the Indian ful bureaucrat in the Institute of Management, Kozhikode, Prime Minister’s Office Kerala State Industrial and the second most Development Corporation, and the Centre for powerful bureaucrat in Research in Rural and India. During 1997-98, Industrial Development.

Nair was Principal SecNair has received retary, when I K Gujral a number of awards and honours. In 2009, was the Prime Minister he received the K P S Menon Memorial Award. In 2010, he was conferred with the 13th A K Nair Memorial Award for Excellence.

He was the recipient of the Mar Gregorios Award in 2010. He was also honoured with the World Malayalee Council Award for Excellence in Bureaucratic Service in 2011.

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Wipro’s transformational leader T

T K Kurien

Corporate leader

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K Kurien, fondly called TK, is the Chief Executive Officer of IT Business, and Executive Director, Wipro Limited. A Chartered Accountant by qualification, TK is also a member of the Wipro Corporate Executive Council.

With over 27 years of global diversified experience, which includes the ten years he has been with Wipro, TK has been instrumental in building and scaling many of Wipro’s businesses successfully. He has a track record for customer centricity, passion for excellence, and rigour in execution. A transformational leader, he has been influential in turning around the various businesses that he has spearheaded within Wipro, including the BPO, media, telecom and consulting businesses. TK is also credited with building global leadership for some of Wipro’s business units he led across the world.

Prior to taking over the role as CEO of the IT Business of Wipro in February 2011, TK was President of Wipro’s Eco Energy Business. In June 2008, he took on the responsibility of heading Wipro’s consulting arm, WCS (Wipro Consulting Ser-

vices), and spearheaded its growth, establishing it as a distinct offering by Wipro. From 2004 to 2008, TK had headed Wipro BPO, during which time he turned the business around to achieve market leadership, bestin-class profitability, and revenue growth. He was awarded the Global BPO T K Kurien has been Industry Leader Award by influential in turning IQPC (International Quality & Productivity Centre) around the various in 2007 for the exceptionbusinesses that he has al performance of Wipro BPO. In February 2003, spearheaded within he was the Chief ExecuWipro, including the tive of Wipro’s Healthcare & Life Sciences, a busiBPO, media, telecom ness segment of Wipro and consulting busiLtd formed in April 2002.

In his early years at nesses Wipro, TK had started the Telecom Internet Service Provider business, for which he managed to create a significant impact by accelerating revenue growth.Before joining Wipro, TK served as the Managing Director of GE X Ray from October 1997 to January 2000, and prior to that, he was the CFO of GE Medical Systems (South Asia).

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Reformer of the electoral system T

T N Seshan

Former Chief Election Commissioner

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irunellai Narayana Iyer Seshan, popularly known as T N Seshan, is a retired IAS officer who held several public offices in the government of India, including that of the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC).

He is famous for the electoral reforms made during his tenure as the CEC. Born into a Kerala Iyer family on December 15, 1932, in Palakkad district of Kerala, Seshan completed his primary education from Basel Evangelical Mission Higher Secondary School. After graduating from Madras Christian College, he secured a Masters in Public Administration from Harvard University.

Seshan joined the Indian Administrative Service as a trainee in 1955.

Since then, he held several senior posts in the government, such as Director, Ministry of Atomic Energy, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Space, Secretary, Department of Agriculture, Government of Tamil Nadu, Member (Personnel), Oil & Natural Gas Commission, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Space, Secretary to the Government of India, Ministry of Defence, and Secretary, Internal Security. He also held the position of Cabinet Sec-

retary and served as a member of the Planning Commission.

Seshan is most famous for introducing radical changes in the electoral system of India as the CEC. He is credited with having helped the government clean up the election process in India.

It was he who came up Seshan is most famous with the idea of an elecfor introducing radical tion card for every rightful voter. Seshan redefined changes in the electhe status of the Chief toral system of India Election Commissioner in every possible way. He as the Chief Election was also in the fray for Commissioner. He is the post of President of India in 1997. Seshan is credited with having the founder of Deshbhakt helped the govt clean Trust, an NGO devoted to social reforms in the up the election process country. He is now working as a permanent faculty at the Great Lakes Institute of Management, Chennai, and also serving in the advisory council of B-schools like National Management School, Chennai. He has also penned some books.

In 1996, Seshan was awarded the prestigious Ramon Magsaysay Award for Government Service.

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From diplomacy to new frontiers T

T P Sreenivasan Former diplomat

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P Sreenivasan is a former diplomat and Indian Foreign Service officer (IFS) who served the government in various capacities at the highest levels for 37 years. Currently, he is the Vice-Chairman of the Kerala State Higher Education Council. He did his BA and MA in English from University of Kerala before joining the IFS in 1967. After successful training for two years, he served as the Third Secretary in the Embassy of India, Tokyo, where he passed an advanced examination in Japanese language with distinction.

As the First Secretary in the Indian Mission, Thimphu (1971-74), he had nurtured an important relationship with the friendly neighbouring country and made a mark for his sensitivity and diplomatic skills. As the First Secretary (Political) and the Head of Chancery in the Embassy in Moscow from 1974-77, he brought about co-operation between India and the erstwhile Soviet Union. Having been handpicked by the then Foreign Secretary Jagat Mehta as his Special Assistant, from 1977-80, he had the unique experience of witnessing and assisting policy formulation at the

highest levels. The then Foreign Secretary rated him as one of India’s efficient diplomats. A former Permanent Representative of India to the United Nations, Governor for India of the IAEA, Ambassador to Austria, Slovenia, Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Nauru, Vanuatu, Solomon Islands, Tuvalu, Kiribati and As the First Secretary Tonga, Deputy Chief of Misin the Indian Mission, sion in the Embassy of India, Washington, and High ComThimphu (1971-74), he missioner of India to Kenya, had nurtured an imporhe retired in 2004. At present, he is a member of the National tant relationship with Security Advisory Board of the friendly neighbourthe Government of India, the Director-General of Kerala ing country and made a International Centre, and an mark for his sensitivity Advisor to Asianet television channel. He is also a visiting and diplomatic skills faculty in several universities.

He is the Executive Director of ‘IAEA 2020’, a project launched by the Director-General of the International Atomic Energy Agency, Vienna. He has penned three books: Words, Words, Words - Adventures in Diplomacy, Encounters, and Mattering to India - the Shashi Tharoor Campaign.

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India’s missile woman D

Dr Tessy Thomas DRDO Scientist

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ubbed as India’s “Missile Woman”, Dr Tessy Thomas is a key scientist at Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) who had played a key role in the development and test-firing of the country’s first intercontinental ballistic missile, Agni V. She is the first woman scientist to head a missile project in India and one of the very few women working on strategic nuclear ballistic missiles in the world.

Born into a small business family in Alappuzha, Dr Tessy graduated in Engineering from Government Engineering College, Thrissur. She has an MTech in Guided Missile from the Institute of Armament Technology, Pune (now known as the Defence Institute of Advanced Technology).

She started her career at DRDO under Dr A P J Abdul Kalam’s leadership and guidance.

Appointed as the Project Director for the 5,000-km range Agni V in 2009, Dr Tessy is based at the Advanced Systems Laboratory in Hyderabad. Dr Tessy was earlier Associate Project Director of the 3,000-km range Agni-III missile project. She was also the Project Director for Mis-

sion Agni IV, which was successfully tested in 2011.

Dr Tessy is an expert on all solid propellants systems. Her parents named her after Mother Teresa, the late Nobel laureate. Former scientific advisor to the Defence Minister and senior missile scientist V S Arunachalam praised Dr Tessy Thomas her for the role she played started her career at in the success of the Agni programme. “In projects such the DRDO under as these, a consensus needs Dr A P J Abdul Kalam’s to be built up. A woman does not easily give up her point of leadership and guidview; she can be persuasive ance. She was apand irritatingly persistent. It must have helped to have a pointed as the Project woman in charge,” he said.

Director for Agni-V in In January 2012, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh 2009 told the Indian Science Congress that Dr Tessy is an example of a “woman making her mark in a traditional male bastion and decisively breaking the glass ceiling”.

The media loves to call her ‘Agniputri’, or one born of fire.

In 2011, Dr Tessy won the Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Award, India’s top science prize.

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An outstanding physicist T

Thanu Padmanabhan Physicist, cosmologist

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hanu Padmanabhan is a wellknown theoretical physicist and cosmologist, whose research spans a wide variety of topics in gravitation, structure formation in the universe, and quantum gravity. He secured gold medals in the BSc and MSc programmes in Physics from University College, Thiruvananthapuram. At the age of 20, he had published his first research paper on general relativity. He had joined Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR), Mumbai, in 1979 for his PhD and become a faculty member there in 1980. He had spent a year at the Institute of Astronomy, Cambridge, in 1986-87. He moved to the InterUniversity Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics, Pune, in 1992 and took over as its Dean in 1997.

He is the elected President of the Cosmology Commission of the International Astronomical Union and Chairman of the Astrophysics Commission of the International Union of Pure and Applied Physics. He has also been the Sackler Distinguished Astronomer of the Institute of Astronomy, Cambridge, and a visiting faculty at many institutes, including California Institute of Technology, and Princeton University.

Honoured with the Padma Shri in 2007, he is the recipient of many national and international awards, including TWAS Prize in Physics, Infosys Prize in Physical Sciences, Miegunah Fellowship Award of University of Melbourne, GD Birla Award, Homi Bhabha Fellowship, Al-Khwarizmi InternaHe is the elected Presitional Award, Millennium dent of the Cosmology Medal of the CSIR, SS Bhatnagar Award, BM Commission of the InBirla Award, and INSA ternational Astronomical Young Scientist Award.

Padmanabhan has provid- Union and Chairman of ed a clear interpretation the Astrophysics Comof gravity as an emergent phenomenon and showed mission of the Internathat this paradigm extional Union of Pure and tends to a wide class of theories of gravitation, Applied Physics including Einstein’s theory. He has authored ten books which are used extensively in several universities and institutions all over the world. His popular science book, After the First Three Minutes, has been translated into Chinese, Polish and Portuguese. Another book, The Story of Physics, has been translated into several Indian regional languages.

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Being royally simple and down to earth S

Sri Uthradom Thirunal Marthanda Varma Head of Travancore Royal Family

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ri Uthradom Thirunal Marthanda Varma is the current titular Maharaja of Travancore. He is the younger brother of the last ruling monarch of the Kingdom of Travancore, Maharajah Chithira Thirunal Balarama Varma.

The Travancore Royal Family is one of the oldest surviving royal families with a history stretching back to more than a millennium. In managing the properties of the state and governing its territories, the Travancore Royal Family had a different approach - the king served as Padmanabha Dasa, ruling on behalf of God and swearing allegiance only to God. The recent discovery of treasure worth thousands of crores in the secret vaults of Sri Padmanabhaswamy Temple in Thiruvananthapuram turned the spotlight on Marthanda Varma. With simple demeanour, he says that the treasure belongs to the Lord. Today, the temple is considered to be the wealthiest temple in the world. Anyone who has visited the royal palace concurs with the general observation that simplicity is the main attribute of the members of this dynastic house, be it in attire, habits,

or lifestyle. Marthanda Varma is respected for his erudition. A graduate of the Travancore University, he is known for his deep interest and knowledge in the areas of religion, philosophy, and medicine. An expert photographer, Marthanda Varma’s works are now displayed at Kudira Anyone who has Maliga Palace, which visited the Travancore has been converted into a museum housing a royal palace concurs number of portraits and with the general obserartefacts of the royal dynasty. vation that simplicity The Sree Uthradom is the main attribute of Thirunal Marthanda Varma Chitralayam, set up this dynastic house, be at Ranga Vilasam Palace, it in attire, habits, or provides an authentic perspective on the glorilifestyle ous past of Travancore.

Conceived by Marthanda Varma, the museum’s collection includes rare photographs taken by him and other ace photographers like William D’Cruz, N P Hariharan, S Rajan, and B Jayachandran. Ranga Vilasam Palace was the traditional, permanent art and picture gallery of the Travancore royal family.

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Living legend of music V

V Dakshinamoorthy Carnatic Musician

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enkateswaran Dakshinamoorthy is a living legend in the field of music. He is a veteran Carnatic musician and music director of Malayalam, Tamil and Hindi films.

Born in Alappuzha district of Kerala, Dakshinamoorthy’s interest in music was nurtured by his mother Parvathi Ammal, who taught him the keerthanas of Thyagaraja Swamikal during his childhood. After finishing his schooling, he learned Carnatic music from M Venkatachalam Potty. He has more than 850 songs to his credit, rendered over a period of 50 years. He has retired from film music direction, but is still active in classical music.

Nalla Thanka, produced by Kunchacko and K V Koshy, was the debut film of Dakshinamoorthy as a music director. The hero of the film was Augustin Joseph, father of renowned playback singer K J Yesudas. The film also had songs sung by Augustin. Dakshinamoorthy went on to set scores for Yesudas and his son Vijay Yesudas as well. He set the scores for many songs written by Sreekumaran Thampi, forming a famous musician-songwriter duo like the Vayalar Ramavarma-G Devarajan and P Bhaskaran-Baburaj

duos. He has composed songs for 125 films, including Navalokam, Seetha, Viyarppinte Vila, Sri Guruvayoorappan, Kadamattathachan, Indulekha, Mangaiyar, and Thilagam.

Dakshinamoorthy’s evergreen compositions include Swapnangal Swapnangale Ningal, Pattu PadiyurakDakshinamoorthy kan Njan, Uthara Swayamlearned music from varam, Kattile Pazhmulam, and Vathil Pazhuthilooden. M Venkatachalam Dakshinamoorthy is the Potty. He has more guru of many singers and music directors, including than 850 songs to his P Leela, P Susheela, Kalyacredit. He has retired ni Menon, and Ilaiyaraaja.

He won the Kerala from film music direcState Film Award in 1971 tion, but is still active for his compositions in the films Vilakku Vanin classical music giya Veena, Marunattiloru Malayali, and Muthassi. In 2003, he received the coveted ‘Sangeetha Saraswathi Award’ from the revered Poojya Sri Guruji Viswanath of Manava Seva Kendra, Bangalore.

He has been awarded an Honorary Doctorate by MG University. He also received the J C Daniel Lifetime Achievement Award in 1998.

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A technological entrepreneur V

V K Mathews Entrepreneur

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K Mathews is the Founder and Executive Chairman of the IBS Group of Companies. Mathews founded the International Business Services Group in 1997, which is a provider of information technology to the travel, transportation, and logistics industries.

IBS offers products in the areas of airline operations, airport management, airline cargo, oil and gas logistics, travel, cruise, hospitality management, and ocean transportation.

A Master’s degree holder in Aeronautical Engineering from IITKanpur, Mathews did his executive management education from Harvard Business School, Boston, US. He started his career in 1979, teaching computer science to Army officers.

In 1981, he joined the IT division of Air India and played a key role in the implementation of computerised passenger services systems worldwide.

Subsequently, he joined The Emirates Group, where he contributed to the growth of the airline in various capacities from 1983 to 1997. As General Manager-IT of the Emirates Group, he was responsible for formulating and implementing Information Tech-

nology strategies for Emirates’ global operations. Mathews is an advisor to the Government of Kerala in the areas of IT, industry, management, and education. He is a member of the State’s IT Advisory Board, Higher Education Council, Planning Board of Kerala (Committee for Industry & IT), and figures Mathews is an advisor in the Board of Studies of to the Government of several colleges/universities.

Mathews is a member Kerala in the areas of of the Board of Directors IT, industry, manageof the Indian Institute of Information Technology and ment, and education, Management-Kerala, and a and Chairman of Group member of the TiE Kerala Core Group. He is the of Technology CompaChairman of Group of Technies, an industry body nology Companies (GTech), the industry body of IT of IT companies companies in Kerala, and Vice-Chairman of the CII State Council. He is also a member of the executive council of NASSCOM. He has received numerous honours and awards for his achievements, including the IT Kerala Award for Enterprise Excellence, and the Kerala State Sahridaya Vedi’s award of IT Man of the Year 2003.

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Icons of the performing arts V

V P Dhananjayan & Shanta Classical dancers

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annadil Pudiyaveettil Dhananjayan and his wife Shanta are the legendary dancing couple of India.

Born on April 17, 1939, at Payyanur in Kannur district of Kerala, Dhananjayan’s introduction to the performing arts came at a time when his family was struggling to make ends meet. Following a chance encounter with famous Kathakali exponent Guru Chandu Panicker, his father had decided to send him to Kalakshetra in Chennai. With a scholarship and distinction, he had acquired a post-graduate diploma in Dance (Bharatanatyam and Kathakali) from Kalakshetra. An expert in Mridangam and music, he also holds a BA in Economics and Politics. He was a leading dancer from 1955 to 1967.

Shanta was born on August 12, 1943, into a well-to-do Indian family in Malaysia. When Shanta was three years old, her parents were convinced that she would make an excellent dancer. They sent her to Kalakshetra when she had turned eight, a year before Dhananjayan. She did her post-graduate diploma in Bharatanatyam and also learned Kathakali and

Carnatic music. She was a leading dancer from 1955-1968.

Both of them believe that whatever they have been able to achieve today is due to the painstaking mentoring by their Gurus Rukmini Devi Arundale and Chandu Panicker and many other faculty members of The Dhananjayans Kalakshetra such as N S started their own Jayalakshmi and Sarada Hoffman. dance school, Bharata The Dhananjayans Kalanjali, in 1968 in left Kalakshetra in the late 1960s to build a caAdyar, Chennai. They reer on their own. They have received numertravelled to all major cultural centres across the ous awards, including world to present their art. the Padma Bhushan in The duo started their own dance school, Bharata 2009 Kalanjali, in 1968 in Adyar, Chennai. Today, it is a premier academy of dance and music. They have been conducting annual summer Gurukulam camps at the Satchidananda Ashram, Yogaville, Virginia, US, since 1988. They have received numerous awards, including the Padma Bhushan in 2009, for their contributions to the performing arts.

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Doyen among jurists J

Justice V R Krishna Iyer Jurist, writer

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ustice Vaidyanathapura Rama Krishna Iyer is a former Judge of the Supreme Court and Home Minister of the first Communist government of Kerala.

Born in a village in Malabar region of Kerala on November 1, 1915, Justice Iyer won the Kerala Legislative Assembly elections in 1952 as an Independent candidate and pledged support to the E M S Namboothiripad-led Communist government.

In 1957, he became the Minister for Home, Law, Power, Prisons, Irrigation, and Social Welfare, serving until 1959.

He was the originator of the Kerala Land Reforms Act, which drastically transformed the land holding pattern among the people of the state. He retired from politics in 1959.

Justice Iyer became a Judge of the Kerala High Court in 1968, and a Judge of the Supreme Court in 1973.

He has rendered several important judgments involving the interpretation of the Constitution of India and the statutory as well as personal law of Muslims. He retired from the Supreme Court in November 1980.

He was honoured with the Padma

Vibhushan in 1999.

Analysing and summarising his judgments, a book titled Muslim Law - An analysis of the judgments rendered by Justice V R Krishna Iyer was published in 2006.

There are more than 70 published books

by Iyer, including four He was the originatravelogues. Wandering tor of the Kerala Land in Many Worlds is his autobiography. There Reforms Act, which are five published books drastically transformed about him by other authors. Oxford University the land holding patPress has also released tern among the people a book, titled ‘Speaking for the Bench: Selected of the state. Justice Iyer Judgments of Justice V retired from politics in R Krishna Iyer.

Justice Iyer has 1959 delivered many prestigious lectures, including the Tagore Law Lectures on Human Rights (Calcutta University). His addresses in Dhaka and Karachi at the SAARC Law Conference are memorable.

He had also delivered a lecture on Victimology in Adelaide, Australia.

He is an activist in Victimology.

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The man behind Amul brand D

Dr Verghese Kurien Father of White Revolution

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r Verghese Kurien is the ‘Father of India’s White Revolution’.

Honoured with the Padma Vibhushan in 1999, he is the Founder of the Gujarat Co-operative Milk Marketing Federation (GCMMF), an apex cooperative organisation that manages the Amul food brand. He is recognised as the man behind the success of Amul.

Born on November 26, 1921, in Kozhikode, Dr Kurien is credited with being the architect of Operation Flood, the largest dairy development programme in the world. Dr Kurien helped modernise the Anand model of co-operative dairy development and engineered the White Revolution in India, making India the largest milk producer in the world. He graduated in Physics from Loyola College, Madras, in 1940 and then did BE (Mech) from College of Engineering, Guindy (then the University of Madras). After completing his degree, he joined the Tata Steel Technical Institute, Jamshedpur. He then went to the US on a government scholarship to earn his Master of Science in Metallurgical Engineering from Michigan State University. On May 13, 1949, he

arrived at the Government Research Creamery, Anand, on a Government of India deputation. Since then, he built the dairy development co-operative model into one of the largest and most successful institutions in India.

The Amul pattern of co-operatives had been so successful that, in 1965, the then Kurien helped modernPrime Minister, Lal Bahadur ise the Anand model Shastri, created the National Dairy Development Board to of cooperative dairy replicate the programme on development and a nationwide basis, citing Dr Kurien’s ‘extraordinary and engineered the White dynamic leadership’. He also Revolution in India, set up GCMMF in 1973 to sell the products produced by making India the largthe dairies. Today, GCMMF est milk producer in sells Amul brand products in India and abroad. Dr Kurien’s the world life story is chronicled in his memoir I too had a dream. Dr Kurien and his team were pioneers in inventing the process of making milk powder and condensed milk from buffalo’s milk, instead of cow’s milk. He has won numerous awards, including the World Food Prize in 1989, and the Ramon Magsaysay Award in 1963.

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The Bold and the beautiful V

Vidya Balan Film Actress

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idya Balan is a National Awardwinning actress, famous for the gritty portrayal of feminist characters in a number of Bollywood films. She won the National Award for Best Actress in 2011 for her bold portrayal of yesteryear actress Silk Smitha in the Hindi film The Dirty Picture. She has also won four Filmfare Awards.

Born into a middle class family in Palakkad on January 1, 1982, Vidya has appeared in Hindi, Bengali and Malayalam films. An ardent lover of films since childhood, she turned to the film world after completing her Masters in Sociology. Vidya got her first chance in a Malayalam film, Chakram, in which she paired with Mohanlal. However, the film was abandoned mid-way through production. Vidya then featured in three music videos, directed by advertising guru Pradeep Sarkar, for ‘Euphoria’, Shubha Mudgal, and Pankaj Udhas.

She then appeared in a lot of television shows and commercials. Her first project was a Surf Excel advertisement in 1998 as a model promoting the brand.

It was in 2003 that she made her debut in a feature film with the Ben-

gali drama Bhalo Theko, for which she won the Best Actress Anand Lok Puraskar.

Vidya then received positive reviews for her first Hindi film, Parineeta, in 2005. She followed it up with a leading role in the 2006 blockbuster Lage Raho Munna Bhai. Her The year 2009 marked consecutive hits include the beginning of a new Guru, Heyy Babyy, and Bhool Bhulaiyaa. The year era in Vidya Balan’s 2009 marked the begincareer as she portrayed ning of a new era in Vidya’s career as she portrayed five back-to-back roles five back-to-back roles to to wide criticial acclaim wide critical acclaim – Paa (2009), Ishqiya (2010), No and won several awards, One Killed Jessica (2011) including the National and the recent box-office hits The Dirty Picture (2011) and Award for Best Actress Kahaani (2012). These roles not only earned her several major awards, but also established her as one of the leading contemporary actresses of Hindi cinema. Of the four Filmfare Awards she has won so far, two were for Best Actress and one for Best Actress (Critics’ choice). She has also won three consecutive Screen Awards for Best Actress.

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A corporate czar Y

Yusuffali M A NRI businessman

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usuff Ali M A is a renowned NRI businessman. He is the Managing Director of Abu Dhabi-headquartered EMKE Group of Companies, which owns the LuLu Hypermarket chain in the Middle East. He was ranked the second richest Indian in the Gulf region by ArabianBusiness. com. He has been honoured with the Padma Shri and the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman.

Born in Thrissur district on November 15, 1955, Yusuff Ali did his schooling from Nattika and moved to Gujarat to do his diploma in Business Management & Administration. After that, he left for Abu Dhabi, where his paternal uncle, M K Abdullah, Chairman and Founder of the EMKE Group of Companies, was doing business. He developed the import and wholesale distribution of the group and ventured into supermarket business by launching LuLu Hypermarket. He is a member of the Central Wakf Council of the Government of India, Chairman of MES Medical College, Director of Cochin International Airport Limited, Vice-Chairman of Roots-NRK Development Initiative, and Chairman

of Lakeshore Hospital & Research Centre, Kochi. He was an independent Director of Air India. EMKE Group is best known in the Gulf through a chain of popular shopping malls, hypermarkets, supermarkets, and department stores. Foremost among them is the Lulu Chain of outlets, followed by He is the MD of EMKE Al Falah Plaza, and EmirGroup of Companies, ates General Market. The Group’s formidable position which owns the LuLu in retailing is ably supported Hypermarket chain in by an integrated network of import, distribution, and the Middle East. He wholesale marketing opwas ranked the second erations, apart from a crosscontinent network of outrichest Indian in the sourcing operations. EMKE Gulf region by ArabianGroup, with its 27,600-strong workforce from 29 differBusiness.com ent nations, and operational bases extending over the UAE, Oman, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Yemen, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, India, Indonesia, Kenya, Thailand, China, Hong Kong, Benin and Tanzania, is one of the most successful corporates of the times. With an annual turnover of $ 3.75 billion globally, the Group employs more than 22,000 Indians.

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SBI: A financial supermarket State Bank of India

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BI: Flagship of Indian Banking

State Bank of India has been at the forefront of all areas of banking and has, over the years, richly merited its status as the flagship of Indian banking. In several fields, the Bank has pioneered innovative measures and contributed significantly to the growth of the Indian economy, while improving its own profitability over the years.

Glorious Banking Tradition

The origins of State Bank of India date back to 1806, when the Bank of Calcutta (later called the Bank of Bengal) was established. In 1921, the Bank of Bengal and two other presidency banks (Bank of Madras and Bank of Bombay) were amalgamated to form the Imperial Bank of India. In 1955, the controlling interest of the Imperial Bank of India was acquired by the Reserve Bank of India and the State Bank of India was created by an Act of Parliament to succeed the Imperial Bank of India.

Present Profile

State Bank Bhavan, Mumbai

State Bank of India is the largest commercial bank in India in terms of assets, deposits, profits, branches, and employees. At the end of March 12, the bank had

a total loan portfolio of Rs 8,67,578.89 Cr, total deposits of Rs 10,43,647.36 Cr and recorded a net profit of Rs 11,707 Cr. The bank has a vast domestic network of 14,097 branches and staff strength of about two lakh. The Bank has 173 foreign offices spread across 34 countries.

The Bank also enjoys the distinction of the largest ATM network in the country with over 27,000 Group ATMs of the State Bank Group, from Leh in Ladakh to Kanyakumari in Tamil Nadu. SBI achieved full core banking status in 2008 when all the branches of the Bank were made functional on core banking system.

State Bank Group

The State Bank Group, including SBI and its Associate Banks, has an overwhelming presence in the Indian financial sector, commanding a market share of about one-fourth of deposits and loans of all scheduled commercial banks in the country. The Group, through its various non-banking subsidiaries, provides a whole range of financial services which include Life Insurance, General Insurance, Merchant Banking, Mutual funds, Credit cards, Factoring, Security Trading and Primary Dealership in the money

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market.

Awards and Accolades

The Bank’s footprints cover every facet of financial services resulting in the following Awards and Accolades, to quote a few: l Ranks 61 in 2011 in The Banker’s top 1000 world Banks. l Ranks No 4 in 2011 as per Fortune 500 India List. l Ranked Second under National Awards for excellence in MSE Lending for the FY 10-11. l Best Trade Finance Bank in India Award for 2012 by the Asian Banker l Skoch Financial Inclusion Award 2012 in ‘Access to Banking & Financial Services’ l Golden Peacock Award for Corporate Social Responsibility 2012 l Best Public Sector Bank under Rural Reach Category in the Dun & BradstreetPolaris Software Banking Awards 2011. l Won the Gold Awards in the Reader’s Digest Trusted Brand 2011 Survey, India, in two financial categories, namely Bank and Home Loan

Corporate Banking Global Markets Operations

Global Markets department provides foreign exchange services to customers. l It provides products like derivatives, gold forwards and Portfolio Management Services. l In addition to these, the bank also provides Indian rupee and Foreign Exchange l

Pratip Chaudhuri Chairman State Bank of India

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Derivatives to Corporates for hedging interest rate and currency exposures. l Portfolio Management Services section of Global Markets, one of the largest fund managers, is managing terminal benefit funds of various provident fund trusts.

Corporate Accounts Group (CAG)

CAG set up in 1995 to deliver best in class Corporate Banking services to the top most Corporates in the country. l Nearly five hundred such Corporates deal with CAG and client list includes industry leaders in every segment. l CAG has handled several high value deals of NTPC, Power Grid Corporation of India Ltd, Tata Steel Ltd, Bharati Airtel Ltd, Adani Power Ltd. etc. l The Bank also played a strategic role in global acquisition by major Indian Groups like Adani, JSW, Tata etc. l

Transaction Banking Unit

TBU focus on Cash Management Product, Trade Finance and Supply Chain finance l CMP Cheque and cash collection services in the Bank are now offered through 1133 authorised Branches located at 701 centres, while payment services comprising Dividend Warrants, Multi City Cheques, IOIs and e-payment are extended through all Branches. l e-Trade SBI, a Web-based online portal, to enable Corporates to lodge Letters of Credit, Bank Guarantees and Bills Collection/ Negotiation requirements online from l

PFSBU focusses on funding large projects in infrastructure sectors like Power, Telecom, Roads, Ports, Airports, Other Urban infrastructure as also other noninfrastructure projects in sectors like metals, cement etc., with certain threshold on minimum project cost. l Bank has engaged 19 former CEOs/Directors of leading PSUs with domain expertise in Energy, Transport, Mining, Telecom, Metals and Fertiliser Sectors to provide consultancy support in technical areas. l

SBI Capital Markets Limited (SBICAP)

SBICAP is one of the Non Banking Subsidiaries and leader in project finance, with over 40% market share. l It is a full service investment banking outfit offering Project Advisory Services, arrangement for structured Finance, Capital Market Services like Equity Issuances, Mergers & Acquisitions and arrangement for Private Equity, etc. l SBICAP is Ranked No 1 Mandated Lead Arranger for Project Finance Loans for Global Asia Pacific by Project Finance International (PFI). l It is Ranked No 1 Mandated Lead Arranger for Project Finance Loans for Global

by Dealogic l It is Ranked No 1 in Rights Issues in India by PRIME. l It is Ranked No 1 in Public Issues of Bonds in India by PRIME. l

Dr. M. Sreenatha Sastry CGM, Kerala any corner of the world. l E-VFS (Electronic Vendor Financing Scheme) & e-DFS (Electronic Dealer Financing Scheme) provide automated payment and settlement of supply chain transactions as also real time MIS to both Industrial Majors and their Vendors/Dealers.

Project Finance & Leasing Strategic Business Unit (PFSBU)

SBI for SME l

To provide specialised services to SME Entre-

preneurs, 400 Branches have been rebranded as ‘SME Branch’ l Relationship Banking: Under single window approach, the Bank is offering Relationship Banking to SME entrepreneurs. All MSME units with Credit limits of Rs 1.00 Cr and above are mapped to Relationship Managers (Medium Enterprises).

Relationship Manager (Small Enterprises) to handle MSE units with Credit limit between Rs10 lac and Rs1 Cr at select branches. l Special Schemes like Open Term Loan (Preapproved Term Loan), Standby line of Credit (contingency needs), Corporate Loan (CleanTerm Loan), Traders Easy Loan (Loan to Traders) to address the gap in financing SMEs l Pre-shipment and Post Shipment Credit to exporters with coverage of export credit, both ‘Whole Turnover Packing Credit’ and ‘Whole Turnover Post-Shipment Credit under ECGC with premium being absorbed by the Bank to reduce the burden of the customers. l SME Power Current Account: An Integrated Current Account, with eight variants with concessions in cash transactions, remittances, collections and various other banking needs, based on quarterly average balance maintained by the customer.

Looking Ahead

SBI is constantly analysing the dynamics of business scenarios and suitable schemes/products are developed or existing scheme modified to address the specific needs of Corporates/SMEs. As we go forward, Indian and global economic environment could remain challenging and the Bank is well-positioned to meet the competition.

The Bank will continue to remain vigilant to the new opportunities and challenges as the current economic environment warrants greater prudence.

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A successful journey that began in Kerala Apollo Tyres Ltd

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Apollo House

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pollo’s journey began in 1976 in the small town of Perambra, located in the beautiful Indian rubber plantation state of Kerala. In the following two decades, Apollo Tyres Ltd firmly established itself as a leader in the commercial vehicle tyre segment in India, under the stewardship of its Chairman Onkar S Kanwar. In early 1990s, it went on to establish another unit in Gujarat, and then one more unit in Kerala.

Till 2005, Apollo was clearly an Indian company with all its resources and markets concentrated within a single country. But its visionary leadership realised, that to be able to craft the finest products and services, one had to compete with the world’s best – for this alone would lead to the creation of benchmarks of excellence. This paved the way for overseas expansion.

Under the leadership of the young Vice-Chairman Neeraj Kanwar, Apollo spread its wings and went global.

Along the way, Apollo Tyres acquired Dunlop Tyres in South Africa in 2006 and Vredestein Banden in the Netherlands in 2009; both having established

Onkar S Kanwar Chairman Apollo Tyres

products, networks and markets within the passenger and commercial vehicles tyre segments. The two organisations have since been renamed as Apollo Tyres South Africa (Pty) Ltd and Apollo Vredestein B V. Apollo Tyres Ltd, headquartered in Gurgaon, India, manufactures tyres across categories – passenger vehicle, commercial vehicle, off highway, bicycle tyres, retreading material and retreaded tyres – and for almost all possible consumer needs.

The company currently has nine modern tyre manufacturing units across Asia, Africa and Europe, R&D Centres in India and The Netherlands, over 25 nationalities in its workforce, and its products are sold in 118 countries. The company’s key brands are Apollo, Dunlop (in 32 African countries) and Vredestein, with Kaizen, Maloya and Regal as support brands.

Apollo Tyres’ stocks are traded in India on the Bombay, National and Kochi Stock Exchanges, with around 53% shares held by the public, government entities, banks and financial institutions (June 30, 2012). For the financial year ending March 31, 2012, Apollo’s revenue stood at US$2.5 billion. India continues to be the largest market, accounting for 67% of the revenues, with Europe contributing 23%, and South Africa another 10%. In each of the domestic markets, the company operates through a vast network of branded, exclusive and multi-product outlets.

In 2011, Apollo refreshed its corporate identity to reflect the reality of its global customer base. Today, brand Apollo is powered by its core brand idea – to enable people to go the distance, safely.

At the heart of everything the brand does, lies the interest of its customers. Taking inspiration from this thought, the company’s new advertising campaign is titled You-First. You-First is about the focus on detail in everything that Apolloites undertake, across all levels in the company, keeping the needs of each customer and stakeholder at the forefront. It is about each Apolloite’s tireless search for quality and a passion for excellence to ensure that customers have a safe driving experience.

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The Godfather of Indian Publishing DC Books

DC Kizhakemuri with Dr Nelson Mandela

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tarted in 1974 by Dominic Chacko Kizhakemuri (popularly known as DC), doyen of publishing in India, DC Books is one of the nation’s most prestigious publishing houses.

DC Kizhakemuri

DC was a freedom fighter, social activist, columnist and writer. The ‘paperback revolution’ in India, driven by DC, made books affordable to the common man. He was instrumental in abolishing the tax on books in India. Pre-publication sales, book clubs and home library schemes in-

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troduced by him made reading a part of life in Kerala, which resulted in a high level of literacy.

A founding member of the Sahitya Pravarthaka Co-operative Society (SPCS) in 1945, DC’s leadership made SPCS the largest writers’ co-operative in Asia. DC played an active role in PN Panikker’s Library Movement, which was crucial in creating over 5000 rural libraries in a small state like Kerala.

DC’s vision and strategy, executed under his guidance, made Kottayam the first town in India with 100% literacy. The successful model of lotteries conducted by DC for building many public institutions in Kerala was adopted by the Government, and paved the way for the nationalisation of lotteries. For his contribution to society at large, DC was awarded the Padma Bhushan in 1999, making him the first person in the publishing Industry in India to receive this honour. (www.dckizhakemuri.com)

DC Books

DC Books is one of India’s top five literary publishing houses and the first one to be ISO certified. The company’s corporate office is in Kottayam, Kerala, the publishing hub of South India. The publisher of choice of the stalwarts of

the Malayalam literary arena, DC Books also actively promotes new authors in the literary scene.

DC Books publishes around 1500 books a year and has a wide range and high volume of content suited for the Indian market.

A strong editorial team continuously experiments with new formats and subjects while maintaining focus on core publishing areas. DC Books’ English–English–Malayalam Dictionary is the largest selling bilingual dictionary and the second largest selling dictionary in India. DC Books has the largest translation programme in India, introducing readers to fiction and nonfiction from across the globe.

DC Books has received the maximum number of awards among the Indian publishers for excellence from the Federation of Indian Publishers, the apex body of publishers in India. DC Books began its Middle East operations in 2009 with outlets in Dubai, Muscat, Sharjah and Ajman.

DC Books conducts International Book Fairs, the largest international book fairs in the region with participation from over 300 international publishers. The annual event, conducted in two of the major cities of South India, is a 12-day book fair as well as a literary festival. Well-known authors from India and abroad attend these events and it is a part of the cultural calendar of the respective cities. The book fairs have so far attracted more than two million visitors.

The DC Group has also ventured into eBooks

through a Group-promoted company, EC Media, the first in India with a complete eco-system in digital books.

The Week magazine has made a special mention of DC Books’ eBooks programme in its 30 Life Changers from 1982–2012 edition (Vol 30 No 36, June 24, 2012). It is now one of the biggest aggregators of Indian books.

DC Media

DC Kizhakemuri Founder DC Books

DC Media, the magazine publishing wing of DC DC Kizhakemuri with Jawaharlal Nehru Books, publishes Education Insider, a pan-Asian B2B Current Books magazine for the education sector; Future Current Books, started in 1952, with Medicine, a pan-Asian industry magazine for over 60 years of expertise in book sales, is the medical sector; News ’n’ More, a current the sister concern of DC Books. It is one of affairs and general knowledge focussed magathe top three retail bookstore chains in India zine for students; Emerging Kerala, a magawith close to 50 retail outlets. Retail formats zine which focusses on the socio-economic include destination stores, tourist bookshops development of Kerala; and Pachakuthira, and academic bookshops in small, medium a magazine which intervenes into the socioand large sizes. Many innovative marketing political space. and promotional methods have been successMango fully implemented by Current Books. Current Mango is the children’s imprint in English Books is present in every nook and corner of brought out by DC Books. Mango publishes Kerala, the state with 100% literacy. (www. activity books, creative fiction and retold currentbooks.com) classics and appeals to readers, from toddlers DC Animation to teens. Mango focusses on Indian content as DC Animation is a new venture initiated well as that from different parts of the world.

by DC Books in the area of animation and enContent development, school books, encyhanced content. It has some of the finest aniclopaedias and multi-media are the new areas mators in India and has been awarded many that Mango is venturing into.(www.mangobprestigious contracts. (www.dcanimation.in). ooks.net) 159

Engineer success, the Galfar way Galfar Engineering & Contracting

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Galfar had undertaken the Indore-Ujjain Expressway four-laning project

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alfar Engineering & Contracting SAOG (Galfar) is Oman’s largest construction company with EPC capability in Oil & Gas, Roads & Bridges, and Civil & Utilities sectors, operating in Gulf Cooperation Council countries as well as India. Over the last four decades, Galfar has established itself as the “Preferred Partner in Development” in Oman with a turnover in excess of $1 billion and a group turnover of over $2 billion.

The company employs a workforce of over 28,000 and prides itself as the largest employer of Omani nationals in the private sector. Persistent endeavours towards excellence in construction quality, safety, performance, employee satisfaction, and social responsibility have enabled it to become the most trusted and sought after Engineering, Procurement, Construction, Operations & Maintenance, and Project Management company in the region.

Since its inception in 1972, Galfar, with its strong leadership, has executed a focussed strategic vision. A public limited company, listed at the Muscat Securities Market, Galfar has been successful in creating an excellent track record in ensuring shareholder confidence. For the short term, growth is built into the order book, based on the plans of its major clients and partners. It has identified areas for growth based on regional trends and evolving market conditions.

Galfar always has the highest concern for safety. For setting best records in terms of safety in its operations, it has won several awards from government organisations, clients, and the ‘Sword of Honour’ from the British Safety Council.

Dr P Mohamed Ali Vice-Chairman & MD Galfar Engineering and Contracting SAOG

Galfar, with its Oil & Gas, EPC, Civil & Utilities, and Roads & Bridges Business Units, has the experience and expertise to undertake construction projects of scale and technical complexity. Its portfolio of completed and ongoing projects is impressive and diverse.

In the Oil & Gas sector, the company has undertaken several large-scale projects for Petroleum Development Oman, which value in the range of $200 million to $370 million. In addition, the company is executing several EPC and non-EPC contracts. It is PDO’s biggest contractor in terms of value of jobs and resources deployed. In the Civil and Utilities sectors, it has undertaken projects including major hospitals, palaces, stadia, power and water distribution, and sewerage collection & conveyance. The marine projects include ports, harbours, jetties, seawalls and breakwaters.

In the Roads and Bridges sector, Galfar is known for some of the best executed projects in the region. Projects of significance are the Dualisation of Wadi Adai Al Amerat Road, Rushtaq-Miskin Road, Rehabilitation of Batinah Highway, and the Muscat Expressway.

Committed to social responsibilities, Galfar is providing suitable training, employment and growth opportunities to Omanis at all levels. The promoters of the company are major shareholders in medical colleges, engineering colleges, and training institutes. Galfar strives to be

a leader in the Omanisation programme.

Galfar-India

Headquartered in Gurgaon, GalfarIndia aims to be the industry leader as a market-driven engineering construction company renowned for excellence, quality, performance, and reliability.

Projects in India

* Four-laning of Indore-Ujjain Expressway * Four-laning of Ghaziabad Aligarh Section of NH-91 * Six-laning of ChandikoleJagatpur - Bhubaneswar section of NH-5.

Mfar Constructions Pvt Ltd

Established in India in April 1996, Mfar Constructions Private Limited is the brainchild of two outstanding men – Dr P Mohamed Ali, Vice-Chairman & Managing Director of Galfar Engineering and Contracting SAOG, Muscat, and C D George, Founder of Chemmanur Group of Companies. Mfar has successfully executed a number of projects in Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, and Kolkata.

Mfar is led by B K Dhar, who has vast and varied experience in the construction industry.

Quality, speed, safety, and modernisation are the hallmarks of this company.

The company aims to contribute to the nation-building efforts in a substantial way.

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Providing top class healthcare Lakeshore Hospital & Research Centre Ltd national locations like Middle East, Africa, UK, Europe, and USA.

Pillars of strength

Under the eminent leadership of Padma Shri Dr. Philip Augustine, MD & CEO, relentless support from the Chairman, Padma Shri Yusuff Ali M A and the Directors on the Board, Lakeshore Hospital has been scaling new heights in the Indian medical service sector.

About Lakeshore

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et up as a public limited company in 1996, Lakeshore Hospital & Research Centre Ltd commenced its operations in January 2003 as a Multi Super Speciality Corporate Hospital. Within a short span of nine years, the hospital has gained for itself an international reputation for excellence. Patients visit Lakeshore Hospital from all across India and from several inter-

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l A 350-bedded Multi Super Speciality Corporate Hospital with over 35 clinical departments. l 150 full-time medical staff, over 700 nursing staff, and a total employee strength of nearly 1,600. l Services of several Medical Consultants who are pioneers in their respective fields. The hospital also has one of the best Gastroenterology & Oncology teams in the country. l World class infrastructure, including state-of-the-art equipments, aids the hospital in handling over 90 per cent of investigations in-house. l Nationally recognised support services of Pathology, Radiology and Molecular Biology. l Internationally acclaimed Gastroenterology and GI Surgery Department with facilities up to liver transplantation.

Dr. Philip Augustine Managing Director & CEO Lakeshore Hospital & Research Centre Ltd

l One of the best known centres of Endoscopy in the country, offering the latest technologies of Wireless Capsule Endoscopy, Endoscopic Ultrasonography, Double Balloon Enteroscopy and Spyglass Cholangiopancreatography. l Large volume centre for Minimally Invasive Surgery. l Best known centre in India for management of pancreatic diseases, including Endotherapy and Pancreatic Surgery. l Reputed Oncology centre of Kerala which pioneered peripheral stem cell therapy in adults and children. l Diabetology service of international standards. The hospital pioneered insulin pump therapy in South India, and offers world class diabetic foot care (Podiatry). l Comprehensive trauma care centre. l Distinguished Orthopedic centre with Sports Medicine, Regenerative Medicine, and reputed Joint Replacement Services.

It pioneered ceramic joint replacements in Asia. l Favoured medical tourism destination of India; exclusive partnership institution for several foreign governments for treatment of their citizens in India. l High-end medical packages like Liver Transplantation, Kidney Transplantation, Bone Marrow Transplantation, various Joint Replacement Surgeries, Interventional Cardiology, Cardiac Electrophysiology (EP), and Cardiac Surgery. l Interventional Neurology (Pin hole) procedures like Aneurysm clipping and

various Therapeutic Endoscopic and Laparoscopic procedures. l The hospital offers post-graduate medical education under the Diplomate of the National Board (DNB) programme in various disciplines.

Way Ahead

Dr. Philip Augustine, MD & CEO, says, “Seeing the establishment and growth of Lakeshore has been a challenging but satisfying experience. It indeed was a dream come true for me and the entire Lakeshore family. The future depends on consolidating the head start this institution has achieved in the healthcare scenario of the country. The already planned expansion programme and diversification should take Lakeshore to greater heights.”

Lakeshore Management’s future plan

l The hospital is now expanding its bed strength to 750. l A much-needed state-of-the-art cancer hospital is being planned, which will also offer subsidised treatment for BPL family members. l There will be more focus on medical tourism. l There is a plan to establish a family medicine department to extend domiciliary medical care to the needy, especially senior citizens, in Cochin and surrounding areas. l There are plans to start an Education & Research Institute in the near future.

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Synonymous with premier lifestyle housing Mather Projects

Mather lifestyle villas

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K M I Mather Chairman Mather Projects

ather Projects is the realty wing of the Mather Group, which was incorporated in 1944, and is led by its Chairman Shri K M I Mather. Mather Group has interests in housing, hospitality, services and investments in healthcare and education. The company has recently transitioned to a total professional management with oversight by independent directors.

Mather Projects began in a modest way undertaking individual projects. Today, it is a full-fledged housing company, synonymous with lifestyle housing in the state. With numerous projects completed and many more ongoing in under a decade, Mather today has cemented its position as the leading builder in Cochin, creating the homes customers most aspire to own.

Mather, which has a customer base of over 2000, has built over 3.0 Million plus sq.ft to date. Projects from Mather are usually located in the elitist residential areas, central locations or in scenic settings such as the waterfront. Luxury and aesthetics are Mather’s forte. With each project, it reinvents design. Clean, minimalist and contemporary finishes are given preference. The result is astounding elegance that is trendy without being ostentatious.

Mather focusses on beautiful finishes; be it for the interiors of an apartment, or for its common areas. By incorporating and adapting international designer

brands and design concepts, Mather has quietly effected a lifestyle revolution in Kerala. The common areas of Mather’s buildings are beautifully laid out, landscaped and lit. Homes are spacious and airy, displaying the quality that comes from using only the best materials.

Mather homes are all about luxury.

The company has recently launched its Platinum Range of homes which offers apartments and villas where no luxury will be compromised. It has been created exclusively for the well-travelled home owner, who appreciates the Mather, which has a cusquality of a tomer base of over 2000, well-made product and has built over 3.00 Million the effort plus sq.ft to date. Projects that goes into creating from Mather are usually something located in the elitist resirare and signature. dential areas, central locaWith numerous celebri- tions or in scenic settings ties buying such as the waterfront.

Mather homes, and Luxury and aesthetics are the sold out Mather’s forte projects continuing to appreciate in value, there is no doubt that Mather has managed to capture the imagination of the Kerala society.

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The Trusted name in Healthcare Medical Trust Hospital, Cochin, Kerala

A class apart

A strong resolve to hold on to its core values of ethics, compassion and innovation in pursuit of excellence has helped Medical Trust Hospital, Cochin, to be one among the premier healthcare providers in India. Since its humble beginning as way back as in 1973, founded by the unparalleled visionary in Dr. P. A. Varghese (late), Medical Trust Hospital has come a long way in achieving the eminent stature that it now enjoys among the health care providers of the state. This was pos-

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sible by providing affordable state-of-theart and quality health care for the masses making sure that every health seeker receives holistic personalised care. Many have come with great gusto but a few have survived the trials of time over the last four decades as Medical Trust Hospital has done nor does it believe in blowing its trumpet on the myriads of charity work that is undertaken in the hospital on a day to day basis. Today, Medical Trust Hospital is a 750-bed NABH accredited multisuperspecialty tertiary referral hospital strategically located in the heart of Cochin, serving as a healing point for numerous patients beyond geographical boundaries.

It stands tall with internationally accepted clinicians and protocols and unparalleled achievements in terms of standard of care delivered. Spreading its wings, the hospital has tapped the potential of Health Tourism already establishing itself as a major provider in the league competing with stalwart five star facilities in other major Indian cities purely on the foundation of merit and reputation.

Wingspan

Providing comprehensive healthcare encompassing all possible specialties has been a passion unyieldingly pursued for the past four decades.

Looking at the array of specialty and super spe-

cialty facilities available under one roof and only full time specialists with excellent clinical exposure, Medical Trust Hospital is proud to claim its position among the front-runners of this field in terms of the span of specialties covered and the unmatched expertise in Critical care. The hospital is keen on adding on specialists, procuring state-of-the-art technology and always encouraging subspecialisation in superspecialties. As a result, it has an enviable spread of Departments covering all aspects of Clinical, and support services that is at par with the best of international standards. The excellent administration team of Medical Trust with dedication, perseverance and undying passion has been successful in harmoniously orchestrating various disciplines in this temple of healing. Poly Trauma Management is one key challenge which the hospital has taken head on right from its initial days. The success and reputation that the hospital enjoys in this field is a testimony to the single minded passion of the management in this field and to the dedicated teamwork of the talented specialists always striving for better results. Medical Trust has been able to achieve landmark figures in providing excellent post-treatment quality of life to the poly trauma victims. This feat was instrumental in tremendously improving the health scenario of the state. Sports medicine is another unusual but important area where a lot of pioneering work

has been done

by Medical Trust Hospital as evidenced by it being preferred over others to provide medical assistance in Regional, National and International sport events in Kerala. The department has been the official healthcare provider for prestigious P.V. Antony events in the state Managing Director like the Volvo Ocean race India stop-over; Cricket One day Internationals and Indian Premier League. The development of a fully equipped Sports medicine facility has been the first of its kind in Kerala and still remains to be the most sought after one.

The breakthrough endeavors that revolutionised Kerala HealthCare…

Pioneering has been so much a passion that it has turned into a habit over the years and Medical Trust Hospital has been setting and resetting standards and goals in Healthcare with itself to compete with in many areas of healthcare requirement. With the relentless spirit to overcome the hurdles on the path, the hospital was the first to organise Multi Super Specialties in private sector in the state. Pioneering work, be it cardiac transplantation, severed bilateral limb reimplantation, Cadaver and live renal transplantation or multi organ transplantation, Medical Trust Hospital always found encouragement in setting standards

and goals and improving on them. Be it the initiation of Video Assisted Thoracoscopic procedures and Cochlear Implant programme or introduction of cutting edge technology like neuronavigation and micro neurosurgery, again Medical Trust Hospital has etched a mark for itself. Efforts and motivation to uphold this tradition has been the key stress areas of the management hoping to break higher and more difficult barriers.

Out of the box- Reaching out to the Community and touching lives…

Round the clock traffic Accident Help Line and rapid action booths equipped with ambulances and trauma technicians at key city points, preventive clinics and camps according to the recurring needs of the community, health care educational programmes, health awareness campaigns, education of key social components like traffic and other police, ambulance drivers, college students on basic life support skills etc are some of the many areas that Medical Trust Hospital has been able to bring about an impact in striving for “health for all”, the enigmatic WHO target. The hospital proved its dedication to the society by launching yet another thoughtful community project in 1998 – Senior Citizens Health Care Plan. Over 2000 senior citizens have registered as members enjoying the various benefits of this scheme. Close co-ordination with police, corporation and district administrative officials in times of disaster and mass casualities has earned Medical Trust Hospital a slot unparalleled in dealing with emergencies of this magnitude in a truly professional manner.

Education, Training & Research - the direction forward…

Diplomate National Board of Examinations’

postgraduate teaching programmes in more than 15 specialities and superspecialities, a fellowship programme in Critical care and quality paramedical courses in a variety of allied specialities which are duly approved, adds to the sheen of the hospital campus and uplifts its strive to be the best in the field. The innumerable research publications churned out from the institution being presented at national and international levels are an eye opener to most other institutes in the state and the country. This is owing to the daily patient population accounting to over one thousand five hundred that passes through the gates of this institution that provides invaluable clinical material for ethical research techniques.

The road ahead

“Medical Trust Institute of Medical Sciences” is envisaged as a unique combination of a world class Medical Institute and a Medi-city sprawling over twenty five lakhs square feet that will encompass all perceivable modalities of Medical Sciences with special focus on Oncology, Reproductive Medicine, Transfusion Medicine, Robotic Surgery and Medical Genetics at Irumpanam on Seaport-Airport road in Cochin. This dream project is aimed at integrating world-class medical education and research in collaboration with the global leaders in the field and holistic health care facilities. A world class convention centre in the campus will be an arena for connoisseur forums, and landmark events opening new avenues in healthcare and positioning the institute as a Knowledge hub for the generations to follow.

Medical Trust Hospital will continue to strive for excellence in patient care, medical education, and research and community service helping Kerala to emerge as a Global destination for healthy living.

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Redefining GenNext banking South Indian Bank

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outh Indian Bank (SIB), a robust private sector bank that has always remained in the forefront, even during the challenging times, is one of the earliest banks that came into being during the Swadeshi movement. It was a dream come true for a group of the most innovative entrepreneurs of Thrissur, which established the bank on January 29, 1929.

Today, SIB operates 712 branches across the length and breadth of our country, thereby establishing its presence in 27 states and union territories.

SIB constantly reorients its strategies for the ever-changing South Indian Bank (SIB), a and dynamic requirements robust private sector bank of the customer and is both customer-centric and employee- that has always remained empowered, thereby effectively in the forefront, even durtaking its business to a stupening the challenging times, is dous figure of over Rs 65,000 crore. The bank employs over one of the earliest banks that 6200 personnel and serves over came into being during the 62.5 lakh customers across the globe.

Swadeshi movement.

The bank has recorded a spectacular profit of over Rs 401 crore for the year ended March 31, 2012.

SIB’s Values

“Customer service is our mantra and to render it with the perfect blend of tradition and technology.” l

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SIB’s Strengths

South Indian Bank has a strong capital base of Rs 113.5

Dr V A Joseph

Managing Director & CEO South Indian Bank

crore as on 30.06.2012 and the total capital funds of the bank stood at Rs 2290.59 crore as on 30.06.2012. The bank’s capital adequacy ratio stands at 13.16% (BASEL II). NPA levels of the bank are very low in the entire banking industry with Gross NPA at 1.08% and Net NPA at 0.35% as on 30.06.2012. l SIB has 100% Core Banking Solution. l SIB is a financial supermarket maintaining tie-up with leading business partners for various allied financial services such as LIC for Life Insurance and M/s Bajaj Allianz General Insurance Company for General Insurance. The bank has tie-up with 13 leading Mutual Fund companies to offer Mutual Fund products to the customers. The Bank was appointed as a Point of Presence to provide services to subscribers of New Pension System introduced by PFRDA. l Forex business – The bank has three lakh plus NRI customers who contribute to over 20% of the bank’s forex business.

In order to cater to the needs of SIB’s NRI clients, the bank has online Real Time Remittance arrangements with 32 Exchange Houses and four banks across the globe.

SIB Flash is an online remittance facility that informs the beneficiary and the remitter of the remittance through SMS within 60 seconds of remittance. SIB offers managerial support to HADI Exchange at five branches in UAE. l SIB’s success is propelled by a dedicated team of over 6200 personnel, wherein

a majority of them are professionally qualified and young.

Present Management

The Board of Directors comprise Amitabha Guha, Chairman, Dr V A Joseph, MD & CEO, and seven Non-Executive Directors. The Managing Director is assisted

by Executive Directors Abraham Thariyan and Cheryan Varkey.

SIB’s Accomplishments

l South Indian Bank has won the Technology Excellence Award 2011-12 from IDRBT (Institute for Development and Research in Banking Technology), the technical arm of the Reserve Bank of India. This is the third time it has bagged this award. l South Indian Bank received two awards for asset quality and priority sector lending in the Dun & Bradstreet banking awards 2010-11. South Indian Bank is the only old generation private bank in India to win this prestigious accolade. l Best Website Award from Kerala Management Association. l The Businessworld India’s Best Bank 2010 award. l The best ‘Asian Banking Website’ award from Asian Banking & Finance Magazine.

SIB’s Future Goals l South Indian Bank is eyeing an ambi-

tious business target of Rs 1,00,000 crore with a presence of 750 branches by March 2014.

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SBT: A financial supermarket State Bank of Travancore

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tate Bank of Travancore (SBT) was originally established as the Travancore Bank Ltd on September 12, 1945, in the erstwhile Princely State of Travancore with a paid-up capital of Rs 1 crore. Thirty per cent of the capital was contributed by the then Government of Travancore and the rest by 4,000 shareholders. The Bank became a Scheduled Commercial Bank in 1946, and in 1960, it became a subsidiary of the State Bank of India and assumed its present name.

SBT grew in size from 195965 through a series of takeovers, SBT has a network of 920 amalgamations and mergers.

SBT is a part of the State Bank branches. Of these, 708 Group.

SBT has its corporate office branches are in Kerala, while in Thiruvananthapuram and six the rest are spread over all Zonal Offices (five in Kerala metros outside Kerala. A and one at Chennai) and two Regional Offices (one at Mum- tech-savvy bank, SBT serves bai and another at New Delhi). its customers with state-ofIn addition, there are spun-off Regional Offices at Kannur, the-art technologies.

Palakkad, Nagercoil, Allepey, Pathanamthitta, Kollam, Mavelikkara, Bengaluru, and Coimbatore.

The Corporate Data Centre of the Bank is at Belapur, Navi Mumbai, along with all Banks of the State Bank Group. A Disaster Recovery Centre, a standby unit of CDC Belapur, is functioning at Chennai. The Bank has a full-fledged integrated Treasury Department functioning in Mumbai. The Pay-

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P Nanda Kumaran

Managing Director State Bank of Travancore

ment and Settlement Group at Mumbai manages Real Time Gross Settlement (RTGS) and National Electronic Funds Transfer (NEFT) - the funds transfer initiatives of the Reserve Bank of India that are straight through process enabled at all the branches of the Bank. A Disaster Recovery Centre for payments and settlement is functioning at Head Office, Thiruvananthapuram.

As of June 2012, SBT has a network of 920 branches. Of these, 708 branches are in Kerala, while the rest are spread over all metros outside Kerala. A techsavvy bank, SBT serves its customers with state-of-the-art technologies. All the branches of the Bank are fully computerised and networked under Core Banking Solutions with Internet Banking and Mobile Banking facilities.

The Bank has installed 948 ATMs for improving customer convenience.

These ATMs are part of the 27000+ ATM network of State Bank Group, the largest ATM network in India. International ATM-cum-Debit Cards are available to customers to make withdrawals throughout the world.

The Bank provides remittance facility from the US and the UK through “Xpress Remit” Product. The unique remittance product “Money Trans” provides speedy remittance facility from the Gulf to the domestic clients having account with any Bank. Online Share Trading facility

“eZ-Trade” gives ‘3 in 1’ advantage with Savings, Demat and Trading facilities.

The Bank also provides other financial products like Life Insurance (in tie-up with SBI Life), Mutual Fund Investments (in tie-up with five Mutual Funds) and General and Accident Insurance (in tieup with SBI General Insurance Co Ltd).

Thus the Bank has become a Financial Supermarket offering full spectrum of products under one roof.

Many new initiatives under Business Process Re-Engineering have been rolled out in the Bank, which have brought in revolutionary changes in the day-to-day functioning of the branches. The Bank has excelled in the areas of Rural Housing, Educational Loans to needy students, finance to Self-Help Groups and retail banking. The Bank has tailor-made products to service the customers in all segments.

The Bank sells pure 999.9 assay certified gold coins in various denominations through select branches in tie-up with the State Bank of India. The Bank has a representative office in Dubai. It manages two Exchange Houses - City Exchange LLC, Dubai, and M/s Global Money Exchange Company, Oman.

The Bank has on its rolls 12,738 staff members, comprising 4,681 officers, 5,920 clerical and cash department staff, and 2,137 subordinate staff, inclusive of 446 part-time employees.

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Global leader in spice oleoresins Synthite Industries Limited

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ynthite Industries Ltd was among the first in India to enter into the nascent field of spice oleoresin manufacture in the seventies.

Today, Synthite has become the global leader in spice oleoresins and other plant-derived natural product solutions with a turnover of over $160 million (Rs 880 crore), commanding over 30 per cent share of the global market.

C V Jacob is the visionary behind the success of Synthite Industries Ltd. Since the pioneering start in 1972, the company has grown to become the world’s most trusted spice ingredient provider. Synthite’s quest for quality makes it the preferred choice of its clientele in more than 90 countries.

Synthite transforms a multitude of pure plant species into flavour and fragrance ingredients, colourants and nutraceuticals. The modern plants and equipment, precision instruments, and passionate people ensure value delivery.

The product bouquet has more than 500 varieties. Synthite has six manufacturing units in India and owns a private industrial park viz., Synthite Taste Park. The Company has offices in the US, Europe, China, and Sri Lanka. It is gearing up to attain a target of Rs 3000 crore by 2020.

High-end instrumentation and the best analytical minds work together at Synthite to

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benchmark quality levels against global standards. The C U Varkey Centre for Research at Synthite has been recognised for its in-house research contributions by the Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of India.

The company has two joint ventures: Aromco Flavours India (P) Ltd, offering a range of sweet flavours designed for use in all applications, and Symega Savoury Technology (P) Ltd, which is into the manufacturing of seasonings for the food industry. They make Synthite one of the largest integrated flavour houses in the world, offering total solutions in flavours.

In fact, the world’s largest food processing companies shop at Synthite when they require a flavour, or a fragrance ingredient.

A diversified conglomerate, Synthite has six business verticals namely, Bio-Ingredients, Spice, Farm Tech, Hospitality, Realty, and Wind Energy. The Group enterprises are Ramada Resort, a boutique resort on the banks of Lake Kumbalam, and Riviera Suites, a first of its kind apartment hotel in Kerala.

The company has an exceptional record in employee relations. The group employs about 1,800 people; for the past 40 years, it has not lost a single day over labour unrest. It may be recalled that Synthite is the first company in Kerala to implement the pension scheme in the

CO2 Plant

C V Jacob

Chairman and Founder

George Paul Director

private sector, covering all employees, in the early 1990s.

The social awareness and commitment to the poor and needy prompted Synthite to establish the CVJ Foundation, which brings together the CSR initiatives of Synthite under one umbrella. The CVJ foundation focusses on education, healthcare, and housing schemes. The Foundation carries out various community development programmes throughout the year.

Synthite has won National Awards for outstanding export performance during the years 1976-77, 1977-78, 1978-79, 1983-84, and 1990-91 from the President of India, and export awards and rolling trophies of Spices Board regularly from 1976 onwards.

Synthite Industries Limited was accorded ISO 9001 certification with HACCP in August 1994 - the first food company in India to obtain the same. In the year 2005, Synthite Lab received the NABL accreditation.

Its facility is now certified with ISO 22000, ISO 14001, OHSAS 18001 & PAS 99.

Jacob, Synthite’s founder, has received many awards and honours for his contributions to the industry, including the Udyog Patra Award from the Vice-President of India, the Vyvasayasree Award from the Ernakulam Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Appreciation Award from Fragrance and Flavour Association of India, the Jaycees Business Entrepreneur Award, and the Kerala Management Leadership Award from the Kerala Management Association.

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Empowering the youth TKM Group of Institutions that are collectively vying for a deemed university status.

“My father always believed that a society can be awakened only through education. It was his social commitment that resulted in the formation of TKM Educational Trust in 1956,” says Chairman of TKM Educational Trust Shahal Hassan Musaliar, the eldest son of Thangal Kunju Musaliar.

Today, the Trust runs a college of engineering, an arts and science college, a management institute, a technology institute, a school of architecture, a school of communication and information technology, and two higher secondary schools.

TKM College of Engineering, Kollam

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oted entrepreneur, writer, philanthropist, and educationist late Thangal Kunju Musaliar established the first private engineering college in Kerala in 1958, a time when there was only one such institution in the state.

Today, his son is working ceaselessly on his father’s dream of empowering students from the backward section of society through a number of institutes

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The college offers courses in seven branches of engineering and architecture at the undergraduate level, and five post-graduate and three part-time programmes. The Departments of Civil Engineering and Mechanical Engineering have been recognised as Research Centres

by University of Kerala. The college has been identified as a Centre of Consultancy by a good number of industrial and public service units under the State and Central governments.

TKM College of Arts & Science, Kollam

This college offers bachelor courses in Physics, Chemistry, Bio-Chemis-

try, Botany, Zoology, Mathematics, English language and Literature, Commerce, and Islamic History. It has post-graduate programmes in Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics, English language and Literature, and Commerce.

TKM Institute of Management, Karuvelil

This is one of Kerala’s premier Bschools with a reputation for moulding top notch management professionals. It offers a fully residential two-year MBA programme affiliated to University of Kerala, with a dual specialisation in the functional areas of Marketing, Finance, Human Resources, and Operations and Systems. The pedagogical system at the institute is multifaceted, including classroom sessions, case studies, live industrial assignments, guest lectures, and summer projects. The institute has state-of-the-art facilities, and an eminent and highly experienced faculty. The institute’s alumni occupy coveted positions in leading organisations in India and abroad.

TKM Institute of Technology, Karuvelil

Shahal Hassan Musaliar Chairman TKM Educational Trust

This is a Centre of Excellence offering BTech in Electronics and Communication, Computer Science & Engineering, Electrical & Electronics, Electronics & Bio-Medical Engineering and Food Technology, Mechanical Engineering, and Civil Engineering at the under-graduate level, and five post-graduate programmes – VLSI & Embedded System, Opto Electronics,

Communication Systems, Computer and Information Science Engineering, and Software Engineering.

TKM School of Communication and Information Technology

This is a centre of distance education, approved by Madurai Kamaraj University.

The centre offers courses in the distance education mode and attracts a large number of students who are unable to pursue formal educational on a regular basis.

TKM Centenary Public School and TKM Higher Secondary School are the other institutions being run by the TKM Educational Trust.

As conceived by its founder, TKM institutions have always been working towards the empowerment of students from the economically and socially backward classes.

“The institutions are not led by profits but by the quality of education,” says the Chairman of TKM Educational Trust.

“By charging nominal fees from our students, we make sure that common men do have access to our institutions. Apart from this, we offer several scholarships to meritorious students. We have a very powerful alumni association, which offers assistance to students from humble backgrounds,” says Shahal.

On TKM Educational Trust’s expansion plans, Shahal says, “We are planning to start many post-graduate programmes at our institutions. Internationally accredited programmes are also on the anvil.”

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Navigating uncharted waters Trans Asia Group of Companies

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rans Asia Group stands as a testimony of success guaranteed by the providential combination of the right dream, vision to serve, commitment to quality, focussed effort, gridlock teamwork, and dynamic leadership.

The group had a humble beginning as a non-descript rans Asia has evolved into shipping agency, started by Johnson Mathew, a small a prominent shipping line town guy, who dared to operating in over 50 ports dream big.

After a short stint in across the globe and is a the Middle East with a formidable contender in the well-known Liner, Johnson Mathew returned to his global logistics arena (with hometown, Kochi, in Kerala, in the 1990s with dreams of an operating fleet of 17000 starting an enterprise of his TEUS with an average export own. India was then surging of 10000 TEUS per month). full steam ahead towards economic milestones and Johnson found it opportune to do his bit. With his experience of over a decade in the logistics industry, he had found his forte through which he could lay the foundation for his corporate venture, M/s Trans Asian Shipping Services (P) Ltd, in 1992 at Kochi.

The initial foray was made as Agents for

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Johnson Mathew K

Chairman & Managing Director Trans Asia Group of Companies

Norasia Line, from 1993 to 2003. The vast knowledge, gained from its agency business, readied the company to start a new chapter – Trans Asia Line (TAL, as often referred to in the market). Trans Asia Line was launched with its own shipping operations in the Middle East, South East Asian ports, India and subcontinents, and China, among other places. The operations set sail with the vision “To develop into a global service provider of integrated logistics that provides excellent customer-centric logistic solutions”. Trans Asia has evolved into a prominent shipping line operating in over 50 ports across the globe and is a formidable contender in the global logistics arena (with an operating fleet of 17000 TEUS with an average export of 10000 TEUS per month).

In less than nine years, having established its niche in shipping, Trans Asia Group has ventured into new challenges like plantation, Container Freight station, ship building, and retailing commercial space. Trans Asia has forayed into cardamom and coffee plantation, planting over 150 acres and providing livelihood for around 100 labourers.

Kerala shows promises of becoming a prominent IT hub in the near future. Keeping in step with this development, in January 2005, Trans Asia launched the ‘Trans Asia Corporate Park’, a space customised to the needs of IT/ITES enterprises with design and facilities at par with global standards.

Drawing upon its decade-long experience of handling agency operations, Trans Asia soon took long strides, establishing its place in the ship building activity within the country. Trans Asia built its first indigenous multipurpose container vessel designed for service along the coast in all major and minor ports. Named M V Karuthal, the vessel presently operates in the Middle East Gulf, harbouring the vision to eventually operate along the Indian coastline.

Driven by leadership that is focussed, ambitious, and balanced, the company promises to sail past horizons previously unchartered. Trans Asia takes pride in its excellent workforce, which, in turn, gives back its unflinching support and service in all endeavours. Spurred on by the dimensions that his once small dreams have attained, Johnson is inspired to diversify.

He aspires to take along with him the team that has stood by him through thick and thin. Even in the face of personal difficulties, Trans Asia has been to him a motivation to overcome and take life by its horns.

Regardless of the industry he ventures into, meeting aspirations of customers and nurturing the workforce remains two priorities close to the heart of its CMD, Johnson.

Being a relatively young company, Trans Asia has many more frontiers to sail past. As is apparent from its journey thus far, reflecting the company’s commitment to developing and providing excellent service to its customers, employees, and society.

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Dr B S Krishnan Managing Trustee

Grooming tomorrow’s technologists

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Adi Shankara Institute of Engg & Technology

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SIET is a socially committed institute, whose objective is to provide a good environment for individuals to transform into technologically superior, spiritually elevated, and responsible citizens. The institute has tie-ups with Infosys, Sri Ram Group of Companies, and TCS, among other leading corporates.

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stablished at Kalady in 2001 with the aim of providing value added technical education, Adi Shankara Institute of Engineering & Technology (ASIET) is one of the most sought after institutes in Kerala today.

ASIET is a socially committed institute, whose objective is to provide a good environment for individuals to transform into technologically superior, spiritually elevated, and responsible citizens. The institute has tie-ups with Infosys, Sri Ram Group of Companies, and TCS, among other leading corporates.

At present, the management of ASIET is being led by Dr B S Krishnan, the Managing Trustee. College principal Dr S G Iyer is ably assisted by a group of young, dedicated and competent faculty.

The institute has been accredited with the ISO 9001:2008 certification. This is the first new generation engineering college to get the prestigious international standards certification for its qualitative system of technical education. So far, seven batches have passed out with excellent academic results under M G University (14 university ranks and 85 per cent pass percentage). ASIET offers the four-year, eight-semester BTech

courses in Applied Electronics & Instrumentation, Electronics & Communication Engineering, Computer Science & Engineering, Electrical & Electronics Engineering, and Information Technology and Mechanical Engineering. ASIET provides three post-graduate courses: MTech in VLSI & Embedded Systems, Power Electronics & Power Systems, and Computer Science & Engineering.

The institute introduced an MBA course in 2004, recognised by the All India Council for Technical Education and affiliated to Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam. Students can opt for specialisations in Marketing Management, Human Resource Management, and Financial Management.

Multinational companies regularly visit the campus to recruit qualified students. Some of the companies that visited ASIET during 2011-12 are TCS, CTS, HCL Technologies, Accenture, UST Global, Reliance Communications, PCIL, L&T Infotech, Sutherland Global Services, Godrej Infotech, IGate Patni, Sri Ram Group of Companies, Videocon, Blue Star, IBS, Orion India, Federal Bank, South Indian Bank, MPhasis, ICICI Bank, and HDFC Life.

E M Najeeb

Chairman & Managing Director

ATE: An ace in multiple sectors

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Airtravel Enterprises Group

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irtravel Enterprises (ATE) Group began its journey way back in 1976 with a quest to discover a simple philosophy of making travel hassle-free. Today, as a group, ATE Group soars far and high with diversified interests in all areas of Travel, Holidays, Hotels, Spa, Tourism Consultancy, Healthcare Management, Information Technology, Leisure Consultancy, Advertising and Event Management.

y delivering uncompromised service to customers for the past three-anda-half decades, ATE Group has been able to grow into a group of international repute. Its presence has spread to all major metros and cities of India and international locations.

ATE has achieved various distinctions, awards and certificates for excellence in productivity, performance, and foreign exchange earnings. In the travel sector, the ATE Group companies are Airtravel Enterprises, Great Aviation Services, Great India Business, and Great India Tourism Planners and Consultants International.

In the leisure sector, the Group companies are Great India Tour Company and Great India Car & Coach Rental. In the hospitality sector, the Group companies are Great Gateway Leisure, Great India Holidays, The Capital Hotels & Resorts, Ela World Spa, The Bekal Discovery Resort and Spa, and Tea Valley Resort. In the infrastructure sector, the Group has presence through Great India Estates Pvt Ltd. In the media and communications sector, the Group companies are Chrysalis Communications

Pvt Ltd and Reflections Advertising and Marketing Pvt Ltd. In the healthcare sector, Kerala Institute of Medical Sciences and KIMS Pinnacle Comprehensive Cancer Centre represent the Group’s interests.

Professionals at handling instant international and domestic airline reservations, air ticketing, travel documentation, worldwide hotel reservations, cargo clearing and forwarding, customer handling, and event management, Airtravel Enterprises India Ltd holds ticket stock of almost all major international and domestic airlines. It is India’s leading travel and destination management company with 16 IATA locations across the country, including major metros like New Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, Goa, Hyderabad, Calicut, Cochin, Trivandrum, and Abu Dhabi, with over 500 professionals and an annual turnover of $50 million.

ATE Group is a member of various travel and tourism trade bodies such as PATA, ASTA, TAAI, and TAFI. It has been continuously recognised as a top agent by various international and domestic airlines.

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Boby M Jacob

Managing Director

An essential part of daily life

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Sabu M Jacob

Managing Director

Anna Kitex Group

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ocated in the agrarian village Kizhakambalam in Ernakulam district of Kerala, Anna Kitex Group of Companies has a turnover of over Rs 5 billion. It was founded in 1968 by successful entrepreneur and visionary late M C Jacob, who played a key role in the growth of Kizhakambalam as an industrial hub.

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aving started as a small scale aluminium utensil manufacturing unit with eight employees, the company has grown exponentially to become a multi-unit, multi-product conglomerate. Anna Kitex Group directly employs about 15,000 people. Today, the group is managed by M C Jacob’s dynamic sons Boby M Jacob and Sabu M Jacob.

The Group’s first venture, Anna Aluminium, was the first company to obtain ISI certification for all its products.

Kitex, a globally renowned textile brand, was launched in 1975. The brand covers a wide range of products, such as Lungis, Dothies, Bed Sheets, Griege Fabrics, Shirtings and Suitings, manufactured using 100 per cent high quality cotton.

Saras Spices, the first packed masala in Kerala, was launched in 1976. It is the first company to get the Agmark certificate for curry powder and masalas. The curry powders and masalas are made of pure spices, 100 per cent

natural without addition of any artificial colour, or flavour. Saras brand has now introduced curry powders and masalas in granule form for the first time in India.

It was in 1993 that Anna rolled out a new product under the brand name ‘Chakson’. Today, the brand comprises products ranging from Pressure Cookers, Thermal Rice Cookers, Non-Stick Cookware, and Induction Cooker, to other Cookwares. Scoobeeday bags, a rage among students across the country, is the only brand among school and college bags to have an ISI certification in India.

The other major products of the Group include travellers’ bags under the brand name ‘Trawellday’; Scoobee Loobee kids’ wear; inner garments under the ‘Agna’ brand for women, and ‘Adonis’ brand for men; and Ellys brand of Herbal Extracts. The Group company, Kitex Garments Ltd, is the largest exporter of baby garments in India.

T S Asok

Managing Director

Building happiness

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Artech Realtors

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rtech Realtors has set an unprecedented pace in terms of growth and secured a distinct preference among very choosy customers.

This growth has been enabled by the power of new thinking, epitomised by the leadership of T S Asok and his highly trained, motivated and talented team.

country’s declaration of man’s inalienable rights to “Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness” became the mission of a builder. That’s how Artech Realtor’s journey began in 1994, as a small builder dedicated to building happiness. Today, that mission has given happiness to thousands of families while enabling the company cross many milestones.

For the past one-and-a-half decade, the landscape of Kerala has been changing, literally, with the boom of real estate in the state. Malayalees were being introduced to world class living options like never before, be it in quality construction, latest architectural design, or excellent amenities. Lifestyles are being redefined every now and then since more and more people are opting for qualitative and convenient residential complexes.

Fastest growing realtor in Kerala In a sector known for rapid developments, Artech Realtors has set an unprecedented pace in terms of growth and secured a distinct preference among very choosy customers. This growth has been enabled by the power of new

thinking, epitomised by the leadership of T S Asok and his highly trained, motivated and talented team. To them, new thinking means new opportunities to understand and deliver the promise of ‘happiness’ to its customers. Thus, the Artech brand is now synonymous with commitment, quality, service, and excellent project options. On July 15, 2012, Artech set a new record in Kerala’s construction industry with the bhoomi poojas of three new projects on the same day.

The strength of a nation comes from the collective happiness of millions of households. In keeping with its mission of bringing quality construction to different income groups, Artech has a wide range of offerings, from super luxury to premium projects.

New projects will be launched soon in Kottayam, Kochi, and other cities as part of its pan-Kerala expansion programme. After all, there is nothing more pleasurable than building more and more happiness in emerging Kerala. A super luxury residential and recreational sea side complex, the first of its kind in Kerala, is also on the anvil.

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Dr P K Warrier

Managing Trustee & Chief Physician

A pioneer in Ayurveda, discovering new frontiers

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Arya Vaidya Sala, Kottakkal

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rya Vaidya Sala (AVS) was established in 1902 by a great visionary, the late Vaidyaratnam P S Varier, as a village clinic.

It has now grown into a multi-unit, multi-disciplinary, multicrore organisation having operations in different areas of the Ayurvedic system. It has three state-of-the-art medicine manufacturing units. The third unit was started recently at Nanjangud in Karnataka.

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ecognising the significance of the changing trends, Arya Vaidya Sala (AVS) has launched a set of new generation medicaments to cater to the needs of the young. Nearly 500 different classical formulations, falling in 16 basic dosage presentation forms, are produced by AVS. These medicines are distributed all over India and abroad through 25 full-fledged branches, more than 1400 authorised dealers, and four hospitals.

All the classical panchakarma therapies and the reputed Kerala special therapies are administered by AVS in an authentic manner. Twentyseven per cent of the patients hail from foreign countries. The 160-bed Charitable Hospital at Kottakkal extends these treatments, boarding and lodging, services and medicines free of cost to the patients. It provides facility for allopathic treatment as well.

AVS is also involved in conducting research in various fields of Ayurveda, such as medicinal plants, processing, and production. An apex Research Advisory Board has been constituted

with Dr M S Valiathan as its Chairman and other scientists of repute as members.

Research projects are taken up as either in-house endeavours or as collaborative ventures with the International Development Research Centre of Canada, the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, and the Department of Science and Technology of the Government of India.

AVS is headed by Dr P K Warrier, Managing Trustee & Chief Physician, and supported by a Board of Trustees.

A doyen of the Ayurveda physicians’ fraternity of the country, Warrier represents everything that is authentic and pristine in Ayurveda.

He has not only added value to the traditional practices of Ayurveda by making valuable contributions to research and innovation, but also taken this holistic science of healthcare to distant shores of the world. He has rendered a yeoman service to the growth of Ayurveda in every respect.

Rama Varma

Managing Director

A giant corporate tree with a rich history

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Aspinwall & Co Ltd

or centuries, Egyptians, Arabians, Chinese, and Europeans kept flocking to the shores of Kerala in search of spices and riches. Some of them plundered the hills and the plains, and went home wealthy.

A few of them stayed back and nurtured the economy of the land.

One such outstanding personality who made Cochin his home was the English visionary John H Aspinwall.

In 1863, John was inducted as a partner into Scott Brothers. He acquired that business in 1867, and launched Aspinwall & Company, offering a range of shipping services, besides carrying on business in timber, spices and agro products.

Today, the Aspinwall Group has distinguished presence in Shipping Services, Rubber Plantations, Coffee Process & Trading, Natural Fibre Products, and Tours and Travels.

When the English company offered to disinvest its holdings in 1971, the Travancore Royal family acquired the controlling shares in the Group.

Shipping Services

It is a hub of activity in areas like liner services, clearing and forwarding, air cargo services, ship agency services, stevedoring services, and cargo consolidation services.

Coffee

The Group has a major presence in the entire coffee supply chain, from input supplies to plantations, processing, trading, and export.

Rubber

The Group, which owns and manages about 2,000 acres of rubber plantations in Northern Kerala, produces high-grade centrifuged latex and technically specified natural rubber.

Natural Fibre Products

The product range includes entrance mats, corridor mats, carpets, matting, rugs, runners, mesh matting and geo-textiles.

Tourism and Hospitality Aspinwall Tours offers dozens of carefully designed, cost-effective tour packages.

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K A Mohamed Saleem Managing Director

A reliable builder

O Sunil Kumar V Director

Anil Varma K Director

Asset Homes

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sset Homes, an award-winning builder, has created quality residential landmarks in Kerala. This new generation builder, which has carved a niche for itself in Kochi, Thiruvananthapuram, Kottayam and Kannur, recently ventured into Thrissur. Asset Homes is steadily widening its network by creating new dimensions to lifestyle living across Kerala.

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ver a period of five years since its inception, Asset Homes has completed 26 projects in Kochi and Thiruvananthapuram. Asset Homes is trusted for on-time delivery and customer satisfaction.

Kerala’s most awarded builder: National and international bodies have honoured Asset Homes with the most reputed awards, including the Bloomberg International Property Award 2011, CNBC Awaaz CRISIL Credai Real Estate Award 2010 for India’s Most Innovative Project, Realty Excellence Award 2011 for India’s Young Achiever of the Year, Realty Excellence Award 2010 for India’s Emerging Developer of the Year, and the Rotary International Vocational Excellence Award 2009-2010. Asset Homes has the rare distinction of being the first builder to complete a CRISIL 7 star-rated project in Kerala - Asset Signature, Thiruvananthapuram. Asset Signature has also won the national recognition for being one of the three “Best Residential Apartments” in the Affordable Housing

Non-Metro Category at the CREDAI Real Estate Awards 2012. Asset Silver Swan, Aluva, has got a 6 star rating from CRISIL. Variety is the spice of life: Asset Homes has an ingenious variety of conceptual homes such as Digital Homes, CRG Homes, Town Houses, Waterfront Lifestyle Homes, and Super Luxury Sky Villas. Innovative designs and superior construction, coupled with international amenities in the most sought after locations, perfectly coexisting with the nature, are its signature features. Asset Homes has 16 ongoing projects - each is unique and a class apart from the rest.

Complete home solutions: Asset Homes provides complete solutions to the home buyer. A separate wing, called Asset Care, takes care of property management, interior designing, and maintenance for non-resident customers. It also has a lifestyle concept store, called Zing, in Kochi, which offers premium and unique interior designer products and solutions.

A company with sustainable solutions

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BCG Group

iverse. Driven. Dedicated. BCG Group first made its mark in the realty sector in 2003. Under the leadership of Rekha and Renu C Babu, the Group has emerged as a responsible corporate, offering a host of services in realty, education, healthcare, and horticulture.

Having developed almost a million square feet, the company is in the process of developing an additional half-a-million square feet in the residential and commercial sector across several districts of Kerala. In 2010, BCG Education Services entered into a strategic partnership with the Pearson Group, one of the foremost publishing houses in the world, to start the Guardian Public School at Cochin and Palghat.

In 2011, the Group launched the award-winning BCG Health Square, India’s first multidisciplinary healthcare mall, to bring a horde of health and wellness-related activities under one umbrella. Set up with an investment of Rs 50 crore, BCG Health Square is spread over 1,10,000 sq. ft. The project has the potential to transform the profile of Kochi into a unique healthcare destination.

This year, the BCG Group has taken a number of forward-looking initiatives in the field of healthcare and environment education. l BCG Group launched launched ARTH Homeopathy as part of attempts to promote homeopathy as an authentic and effective medical stream. l It launched Veda Vaidyasala, the first Ayurvedic centre in India to offer ‘Rasayana Vacheekarana Kuti’ treatment. Through intense research in curative Ayurvedic medical practices, the Group is in the process of setting up an Ayurveda Hospital and a Medical College in Kerala. l The group also launched Veda Haritam, an initiative at Palakkad to promote theoretical and practical environment education.

The company believes in sustainable solutions and has won multiple awards for its innovations, especially in healthcare infrastructure.

The Group’s Directors have won ‘The Women in Leadership’, ‘Realty Plus’, and ‘Best Women Entrepreneurs’ honours for their excellence in different fields. Now, the Group is in the process of setting up a $100-million Health Village in Kerala.

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Promoting academic excellence

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DCSMAT Institutions

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CSMAT Institutions, promoted by DC Kizhakemuri Foundation and India’s leading publisher DC Books, are the fastest growing ‘Centres of Excellence’ in Kerala’s education sector.

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CSMAT Institutions, managed by DC Kizhakemuri Foundation, was started in 2001 as a tribute to Dominic Chacko Kizhakemuri, recipient of the Padma Bhushan & Tamrapatra, a freedom fighter, social activist, columnist, writer, and publisher, who was instrumental in promoting literacy and reading habits among Keralites.

DCSMAT started Management Education in 2002 in Vagamon in Idukki district of Kerala. According to various surveys conducted by leading magazines and journals, DCSMAT is considered as one of the 100 leading Management Education Institutions in India. It ranks among the three leading B-Schools in Kerala as well.

Since its inception, DCSMAT has carved out a unique niche. The pedagogy, focussing on student-centred learning, includes case study-based facilitation, case writing, daily seminar on current affairs, active mentoring, building sector and domain expertise on various areas. DCSMAT Institutions are 100% residential in nature with faculty, staff and students living on campus. The

main campus is located in 30 acres in Pullikanam Hills of Vagamon, less than two hours away from Cochin Business District and Cochin Airport. Our City Campus is based in the sprawling 75-acre Kinfra Film & Video Park in Kazhakootam, near Technopark.

DCSMAT has the largest number of MBA seats in the region. Admissions are purely through merit. DCSMAT runs PGDM programmes at both campuses.

All its programmes are approved by the All India Council for Technical Education, New Delhi, and affiliated to the respective Universities in the region.

The vision of DCSMAT Group is to grow into an educational destination of choice, providing world class learning in the fields of management, engineering, traditional medicine, finance, and premium schooling.

DCSMAT plans to set up Vagamon International School, a prep school, DC School of Medical Research, DCSMAT School of Technology, DCSMAT Malabar Institute of Management in Northern Kerala, and DC School of Management & Technology.

Prince George

Managing Director & CEO

Leads broking, financial services

Doha Brokerage & Financial Services Ltd Established in 1992, Doha Brokerage & Financial Services Ltd is the flagship company of the DBFS Group. The company was promoted primarily to provide services to retail investors in equity markets. Over the years, the Group has diversified into the entire spectrum of brokerage and related financial services.

Departing from the traditional brokerage, the Group pursues a total wealth management and investmentcentred approach. The Group has a network of over 250 branches, spread across India. It also has presence in Oman, Dubai, and Doha.

Strategic partner As a testimony of its commitment to world class service standards and an impeccable track record, the Group has been chosen by Doha Bank of Qatar for its maiden investment in India in the financial services sector. The Group enjoys a strategic tie-up with Doha Bank and is an associate of Doha Bank.

The Group now offers services under the umbrella brand name ‘DBFS’. The financial services industry in India is in the throes of a big leap. At this stage, the Group has a strong partner, who can commit resources and provide necessary management guidance. Doha Bank, with its reach and technological excellence, will be able to provide the necessary impetus to take the company to the next orbit. Doha Bank has already taken 49% equity stake in the

Group; and is committed to infuse huge investments.

Executive management R Seetharaman, Chairman (Nominee Doha Bank); Prince George, Managing Director and CEO; K V Samuel ViceChairman (Nominee - Doha Bank); Binny C Thomas, Suresh Yezhuvath and Paul Thomas are the directors of the company.

Group companies Doha Brokerage & Financial Services Ltd, DBFS Securities Ltd, DBFS Derivatives Commodities Ltd, DBFS Commodities DMCC, DBFS Finance & Leasing (I) Ltd. The Future The Group nurtures an ambitious expansion plan. Besides rolling out a host of new products and services, the Group is getting set to widen its presence in India and overseas. With the support of its strategic partner, the Group is well-placed to substantially scale up its operations and become a leading brand in the global financial service space.

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Navas Meeran Managing Director

The Eastern revolution

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Eastern Group

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rom a quaint hill town in the foothills of the Western Ghats began a culinary revolution under the brand name ‘Eastern’. Today, the Eastern Group has become a force to reckon with in the world of spices and condiments. Conquering the Indian spice market with powdered spices, masala mixes, breakfast staples, and a host of products, Eastern Condiments stands as a market leader.

Eastern was spearheaded by M E Meeran, who founded Eastern Trading Company as a wholesale provision business in 1969 in Adimali in Idukki district of Kerala. He expanded it to a trading business in 1975 as Eastern agencies and set up Eastern Condiments in 1983. A proactive visionary with a distinctive talent in decision-making, he steered the company to greater heights and successes. His legacy lives on.

Navas Meeran succeeded his father as the Managing Director of the company in 2011. His flair for innovation has led Eastern through new ventures and new markets. On the quality assurance front, the Eastern Group has a spice and food testing laboratory, Eastern Central

Laboratory, in Adimali. Spread over 3,500 sq. ft., the laboratory is one of India’s foremost fully automated, modernised microbiology testing facilities for food ingredients and the first lab in Asia to employ the internationally accredited Biomeruix microbiology instrumentation for augmented advanced detection with full automation for analysis of microbial parameters and other pathogens in food ingredients.

Eastern Treads Ltd is a part of the Eastern Group. An ISO 9001-2000 certified public limited company, it is engaged in the manufacture of quality pre-cured tread, cushion/bonding, gum and black vulcanising cement.

On the Corporate Social Responsibility front, Eastern has invested extensively in Wind Farms in Nagercoil and Coimbatore districts of Tamil Nadu and Ramakkalmedu in Idukki district of Kerala. The Group has joined hands with ‘Ambulance For All, Mumbai’, a registered not-for-profit organisation associated with the London Ambulance Service. Commonly called as 1298, the ambulance service has been introduced in Cochin city.

P V Mathew

Chairman, Governing Body - FISAT

FISAT - An emerging education destination

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Federal Institute of Science And Technology

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ISAT is the brainchild of Federal Bank Officers’ Association Educational Society, an initiative of Federal Bank Officers’ Association. Managed by a trade union on a ‘not-for-profit’ basis, FISAT has an unwavering commitment to serve society with a focus on excellence. FISAT is the first engineering college to implement AICTE tuition fee waiver scheme in the state. Further, the management offers full fee concession to top rankers up to entrance rank 2000.

ederal Institute of Science And Technology (FISAT) is a dream destination of the engineering aspirants in the South. Since its establishment in 2002 at Homis Nagar, Mookkannoor, near Angamaly, the birth place of Late K P Hormis, Founder of Federal Bank, FISAT has emerged as one of the most soughtafter engineering colleges.

The cream of students with top ranks in entrance examinations have opted for FISAT in the centralised allotment of engineering seats by CEE in 2012-13. In Management quota admissions too, many students with full marks in subjects and top ranks joined FISAT. The Institute has been attracting students from all over the country and the Middle East.

FISAT Management has proved that quality education can be provided at affordable cost to meritorious students.

Consistent academic results, excellent placement records, and remarkable achievements in arts and sports have made FISAT the favourite

choice of students.

The research centres in the college play a crucial role in kindling the research interests of students. They could acquire funding support from AICTE to strengthen their activities.

FISAT is the only self-financing engineering college from Kerala that has been listed by IIT Kanpur for SURGE Programme. IIT Bombay has recently approved FISAT as one of its remote centres for project ‘Ekalavya’.

FISAT is now a post-graduate institution having eight B Tech batches, three M Tech, two MBA and MCA with 2500 students. A team of eminently qualified faculty is translating the vision of the management into reality. Forty acres of lush green campus provide an ambiance conducive to learning.

Superb guidance and support by the Management team led by P V Mathew, Chairman, Anthony Johnson, Vice Chairman and P Anitha, Treasurer, enable FISAT to achieve its goals. Dr K S M Panicker is the Principal.

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P Sulaiman

Managing Director

High life with HiLITE

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HiLITE Builders Pvt Ltd

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rom Kerala’s finest residential apartments to world class shopping malls, HiLITE Builders has come a long way. The builder has completed many landmark projects such as HiLITE Metromax, the first CRISIL rated project in North Kerala, and The Focus Mall, the first shopping Mall in Calicut.

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iLITE Builders Private Limited is a Calicut-based company that has been developing premier properties since 2003. Within a short span of nine years, the company has become one of the most trusted builders in Kerala.

From Kerala’s finest residential apartments to world class shopping malls, HiLITE Builders has come a long way.

The builder has completed many landmark projects such as HiLITE Metromax, the first CRISIL rated project in North Kerala, and The Focus Mall, the first shopping Mall in Calicut. Here’s a lowdown on the ongoing/upcoming projects: HiLITE City – A world within itself HiLITE City, an urban integrated township, spanning across 16 acres at the bustling NH Thondayad bypass, will give a facelift to Calicut and provide a world class living experience with its residential, commercial, and retail spaces. Aptly called a world within itself, the City houses a shopping mall with more than 200 Indian and international branded retail outlets, an eight-screen multiplex, food courts, 400 luxury apartments, office spaces for commercial enterprises, and a massive

car parking facility that can accommodate more than 3,000 cars.

The project, scheduled for completion in 2013, throws up a huge investment opportunity for investors far and wide. HiLITE builders assure guaranteed rental returns along with capital appreciation for the project.

HiLite Mall, a major attraction of the project, would be one of the biggest in India, considering its brand mix, selling volume and architectural brilliance.

The mall blends retail and entertainment spaces, including a 1,20,000-sq. ft hypermarket, 50000-sq.ft department store, and 35000-sq.ft gaming zone.

HiLITE Platino Yet another prestigious project from HiLITE Builders, HiLITE Platino is a state-of-the-art business centre which will add a new dimension to the commercial landscape of Kochi.

Strategically located at Vytilla, the most promising commercial hub on the NH Bypass, Kochi, this unique property boasts of ultra-premium amenities and world class infrastructure. The project offers location and cost advantages for the prudent investor seeking good returns on investment.

V K Mathews

Founder & Executive Chairman

Leading IT solution provider

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IBS Software Services

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BS is undoubtedly one of the most inspirational stories coming out of the state of Kerala. Established on five core values - commitment, passion, precision, integrity and respect for the individual - IBS started operations in 1997 from a small office in Technopark, Trivandrum, with 55 staff members. Today, IBS is one of the most successful and very few IT product companies from India, operating globally as a true multinational corporation, with over 2,000 professionals from 30 different nationalities across 10 global locations. It competes with the most proven companies in the world, has as clients the best names in the industry and is well-positioned to be the number one IT solutions company for the air transportation industry by 2020.

The successful growth story is driven by the vision and zeal of one person – VK Mathews.

nmatched by any global player, IBS has invested over 6000 person years to create IT Products - Intellectual Property (IP) on new-gen technologies that today manage the mission-critical operations of some of the best airlines, busiest airports, top oil and gas companies, leading cruise lines and tour operators world wide, helping them maximise efficiency, improve revenue, manage growth and reduce costs. In the aviation industry, IBS brings to the table the widest bouquet of offering across different lines of business – passenger service systems, airline & airport operations and cargo management – making it a one-stop shop for technology solutions. In the non-aviation sector, IBS offers customised solutions for upstream oil & gas logistics, cruise reservations, tour and hospitality management. IBS owns the IP rights to 17 software products in these business areas.

IBS’ IT services, again exclusively for the travel, transportation and logistics vertical, include business & technology consulting, application development & maintenance, managed services, independent verification & validation, data warehousing and business intelligence.

IBS Growth: IBS has posted a CAGR of 47.5% year on year resulting in a 900fold increase in initial capital invested.

In 2007, General Atlantic LLC invested over Rs 300 crore ($60 million) for a minority shareholding, one of the largest PE investments into Kerala. IBS has made six company acquisitions in the past 10 years – two in Europe, three in the US and one in India, increasing business knowhow and adding depth & breadth to its offering to the travel, transportation and logistics industry.

IBS’ customer list of over 170 includes leading global corporations such as Airlines & Airport companies: British Airways, KLM, Virgin Atlantic, Iberia, Lufthansa, Emirates, Etihad, Qatar Airways, Oman Air, Qantas, Air New Zealand, Japan Airlines, All Nippon Airlines, Nippon Cargo Airlines, Cathay Pacific, Malaysia Airlines, China Eastern, China Southern, Jet Airways, Indigo, JetBlue, Hawaiian, Copa Airways, London’s Heathrow & Gatwick Airports, Tokyo International Airports (TIACT) etc.; Travel, Cruise & Hospitality Companies: Starwood, Harrahs, Hyatt, RCCL, Cunard, Eurostar, MSC Cruises, etc.

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Joy Alukkas Jewellery

Chairman & Managing Director

Fashion & Silk

The World’s favourite jeweller Money Exchange

Developers

Luxury Air Charter

Mall

Joyalukkas Group Joy Alukkas plans an investment of Rs 1,500 crore in Kerala within the next three years Plans include: l State-of-the-art 300 - bed Cancer specialty hospital in Thrissur l 8 Mall of Joy’s l 8 Jolly Silks showrooms l 50 Money exchange centres l 7 new jewellery showrooms l The Rs 1,500 crore investment will create 6,000 additional job opportunities in Kerala 192

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he man with midas touch, Joy Alukkas set up his first jewellery showroom in the year 1987 in the UAE. Today ‘Joyalukkas’ is a multibillion dollar global conglomerate and the Group’s business interests include Jewellery, Money Exchange, Fashion & Silks, Malls, Luxury air charter & Realty.

In 2002, he commenced his Indian operation from his native state, Kerala, and has rapidly expanded it to become one of the largest jewellery retail chains in India. Joyalukkas Group today employs over 5,000 people and has presence across Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, and in key cities of Mumbai, Delhi & Gurgaon.

His dream and passion for Kerala

Joy Alukkas’s vision for the Group is to ‘enhance people’s lifestyles’ and his primary focus now is to rapidly expand his business in Kerala. His objective is to complement the development of the state and create as many employment opportunities as possible in Kerala.

Joy Alukkas is the first entrepreneur

to set up a luxury air charter service in Kerala. He plans to procure two more aircrafts before the end of the year to expand the Joy Jets service and network. In the next three years, Joy Alukkas plans to build 8 Mall of Joy’s in Kerala, which is slated to be one of the most unique concepts in Malls.

Themed around ‘celebration’ shopping, Mall of Joy will offer the best mix of shopping for weddings, birthday and any special occasions.

He also opened his first money exchange centre in Kochi and plans to grow this to 50 outlets in Kerala within the next three years. Other expansion plans include seven additional jewellery outlets and eight Jolly Silks across Kerala.

This visionary entrepreneur also plans to build a state-of-the-art specialty cancer hospital in Kerala.

Joy Alukkas’s dream for Kerala, “I wish to see the people of Kerala as global citizens and the state as an international destination with infrastructure and talent that compares to the best in the world”.

Dr M I Sahadulla

Chairman & Managing Director

Focus is on tertiary care

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Kerala Institute of Medical Sciences (KIMS)

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erala Institute of Medical Sciences (KIMS), one of Asia’s leading tertiary care hospitals, is a landmark healthcare destination in Kerala, initiated by KIMS Healthcare Management Ltd. The 450-bed multidisciplinary super speciality hospital was started with the objective of providing world class healthcare services and specialised medical facilities at affordable costs.

t KIMS, our strength is the team of highly qualified, well-experienced senior consultants who are ably supported by high calibre nursing professionals, and paramedical staff. With the focus on delivering most modern healthcare services, KIMS healthcare professionals are provided with advanced technologies in medicine and management.

KIMS has to its credit the unique achievement of national (National Accreditation Board for Hospitals & Healthcare Providers - NABH) and international (Australian Council on Healthcare Standards International) accreditations for its dedicated healthcare of uncompromising quality. We are empanelled with government and semi-government institutions in India, the Republic of Maldives, the Sultanate of Oman, Bahrain, the UAE, the US, and the UK. KIMS is an empanelled centre for Australian/Canadian Visa Medicals.

Dr M I Sahadulla is the Chairman of KIMS Group of Healthcare Institutions, which has presence in Kerala

and five Gulf Cooperation Council countries.

A senior consultant in Internal Medicine, Dr Sahadulla did his MBBS and MD from Medical College, Trivandrum, and subsequently became fellow of the RCP Ireland and London.

He had been working in Saudi Aramco (Arabian American Oil Company) hospitals in Saudi Arabia since 1975 to 2001, when he joined as Chairman & Managing Director of KIMS Healthcare Management Ltd and Kerala Institute of Medical Sciences. He was a well-known teacher at Medical College, Calicut, and as a clinician, he was subsequently involved in Healthcare Quality and Infection Control and Accreditation in Aramco. Then he acquired an MBA from University of Leeds, UK, and became a Healthcare Manager in the administrative services of Saudi Aramco.

His experience as a teacher, clinician, and healthcare manager makes him an eminent leader in healthcare in India. He has won many awards in the field of entrepreneurship in India.

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Geethika Sudip

Jt. Managing Director

A pioneer then, a pioneer now

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Kerala Travels Interserve

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erala Travels (KT) was the pioneer of tourism in Kerala – bringing out the first tourism brochure, crafting the first tour package and much more. Ethical business practice and customer-friendly service are the foundation on which the company has been built. But KT does not merely rest on past glory – the company continues to push the boundaries of innovation in travel.

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ong before Kerala became God’s Own Country, Kerala Travels was already playing the perfect host to visitors seeking a slice of paradise.

Kerala’s first-ever travel company, Kerala Travels Interserve, was founded in 1959 by Col G V Varma of the royal family of Travancore, and P G C Pillai.

Kerala Travels (KT) was the pioneer of tourism in Kerala – bringing out the first tourism brochure, crafting the first tour package and much more. Ethical business practice and customer-friendly service are the foundation on which the company has been built. But KT does not merely rest on past glory – the company continues to push the boundaries of innovation in travel.

“Kerala and Kerala Travels were born a few years apart from each other,” says Geethika Sudip, Joint Managing Director and third-generation member of Kerala Travels. “Hence, we have a deep commitment to Kerala as a destination. We believe in eco-friendly, social tourism that takes into account all participants, especially the local community.”

Award-winning and path-breaking projects from the KT family are plenty

– Thekkady Tiger Trail involved the rehabilitation of poachers as forest guides; Lullaby@ Varkala is a unique venture that links together anganwadi children, their families and visitors to Varkala in a harmonious bond.

While continuing the glorious tradition of personalised service, KT has stayed updated with the technological changes in the travel and tourism scene. Becoming a founder-member of Interserve, a trail-blazing travel consortium, Kerala Travels Interserve ushered in an era of worldwide reach and personalised service through a network of 128 offices worldwide.

In 2009, Kerala Travels Interserve redefined the Indian travel scene by becoming the first operator to offer packages to Arctic and Antarctic regions.

Travellers were thrilled to partake of an opportunity to explore the final frontiers – the ultimate travel experience on earth.

“But the adventure of travel doesn’t end there… Our latest project, Saura Yathrika, is a space camp for school kids in Singapore. A stepping stone to the next milestone for Kerala Travels Interserve – space travel!”

M P Ahamed Chairman

Beauty meets quality

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Malabar Group of Companies

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alabar Gold & Diamonds is the flagship company of the Malabar Group, whose unique business model represents more than thousand investors from India and the Middle East. Well-positioned in the market, Malabar Gold & Diamonds, which has 71 outlets worldwide, is in a robust growth phase.

alabar Group of Companies is committed to honesty and fairness to achieve a leadership position in all its core business areas, utilising the best and most appropriate technologies, applying the finest manufacturing disciplines, and most efficiently marketing high quality products to consistently give its customers the best value for their money.

In 1993, the Malabar region finally got a trusted jeweller after a long wait when our company started operations in Calicut with the brand name ‘Malabar Gold’. ‘Malabar Builders’, launched in 1995, was yet another stepping stone. Today, the Malabar Group, headed by Chairman M P Ahamed, is best known for its enviable engagements in the international business arena. Adopting the culture of ‘Malabar’ in every sense of the word, the jeweller has emerged as the perfect choice of crores of satisfied customers through its enduring commitment to purity and quality within a short span of 19 years. For creating a distinct international brand identity, we joined hands with Brand Union, a

global branding agency, and underwent a logo revamping on March 26, 2012 as Malabar Gold & Diamonds. Malabar Gold & Diamonds is the flagship company of the Malabar Group, whose unique business model represents more than thousand investors from India and the Middle East. Well-positioned in the market, Malabar Gold & Diamonds, which has 71 outlets worldwide, is in a robust growth phase. Known for excellent Indian craftsmanship, our exclusive brands Divine, Ethnix, Era, Mine, Starlet and Precia are famous all over the world. The Group intends to expand beyond India and GCC to the Far East countries like Indonesia, Malaysia, Bangkok, Singapore, and China, and Srilanka, and the US and the UK. Now, we are ranked among the top five jewellery retailer groups in the world.

The Group has successfully branched out into other business sectors as well. Malabar Builders India Ltd, the housing development division of the Group, is engaged in constructing villas and apartments in different parts of the state, apart from the commercial projects spread all over India.

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Thomas John Muthoot

Chairman & Managing Director

A formidable Group with diverse interests George Muthoot Director

Thomas Muthoot Executive Director

Muthoot Pappachan Group

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he Muthoot Pappachan Group (MPG) is a versatile business house that has a formidable, nationwide presence in Financial Services, Real Estate, Hospitality, Healthcare, Automotive Services, and Alternate Energy. MPG has a turnover of over Rs 20,000 crore ($ 4.2 billion). Muthoot Fincorp, the flagship company of the Group, has over 2700 branches, serving more than 40,000 people every day. Through its unique product offering, Express 3 minute Gold Loan, it has revolutionised the way gold loans are disbursed.

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uthoot Capital Services Ltd, listed on the Bombay Stock Exchange, is focussed on automobile finance, particularly the two- and threewheeler segment. Muthoot Housing Finance Company Ltd, a venture headquartered in Mumbai, aims to cater to the housing needs of urban and semi-urban segments. ‘MPG’ Hotels and Infrastructure ventures offer asset management solutions to the hospitality and real estate development sectors.

The Group made a mark in the automotive vertical market with Honda cars and bikes, Jaguar and Land Rover, and Yamaha bike dealerships.

Another visionary initiative by MPG is Muthoot Alternate Energy Resources, a wind farm unit in Tamil Nadu. It recently entered the healthcare sector, launching its first orthopaedic trauma centre under the brand name Muthoot Lifebrigade.

The Group entered the microfinance business in 2010. It is now a growing portfolio, catering to the weaker sections of society. Through Muthoot Mahila Mitra loans, it provides income generating loans of Rs 8000-Rs 15,000

to women entrepreneurs under Joint Liability Group programmes, targeting households located in rural areas, semiurban areas and urban slums. Over 3,25,000 women have benefitted till date through this initiative.

Thomas John Muthoot, Group Chairman & Managing Director, has effectively spearheaded the Group since 1984. He paved the way for the diversification of MPG into major sectors such as alternate energy, hospitality and automotive services.

In 2009, the Chamber of Commerce, Thiruvananthapuram, selected him as ‘Businessman of the Year’ for his contributions to the hospitality sector.

Thomas George Muthoot, Director, Muthoot Pappachan Group, is the driving force behind the visionary growth of the Group. His penchant for technology and efficient administration ensure that the Group stays at the cutting edge of development.

Thomas Muthoot, Executive Director, Muthoot Pappachan Group, is an expert in microcredit. He leads MPG’s drive to introduce innovative and efficient loan products.

R Amalorpavanathan Chief General Manager

Nurturing the rural economy

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NABARD

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ABARD is the only development financial institution belonging to the banking fold which has successfully reached out to the remotest rural communities through various models of community-based development interventions, most of which are funded through grants without any profit motive.

ational Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) was created through an Act of Parliament on July 12, 1982, as an apex institution for all matters pertaining to policy, planning, and operations in the field of credit for agriculture and other economic activities in rural areas, and the supervision of Cooperative Banks and Regional Rural Banks.

With 30 regional offices across India, in addition to its network of 406 District Development Offices, NABARD continues to enliven the rural economy and engenders allround development and prosperity in pursuit of its mission of “promoting sustainable and equitable agriculture and rural prosperity through effective credit support-related services, institution development, and other innovative initiatives”.

NABARD’s SHG-Bank Linkage Programme has become the world’s largest project of its kind with 82.68 lakh saving linked groups. It is the largest financial inclusion programme which has significantly encouraged women’s empowerment. NABARD is

also supporting the government’s efforts to create rural infrastructure.

In Kerala, NABARD has been actively associated with all developmental initiatives of the state government.

Kerala has successfully adopted the Self Help Groups’ model of thrift-based saving and the Joint Liability Group model for credit expansion. NABARD has nurtured the Kudumbashree initiative during the initial stages of development. Besides, 18 lakh people in the state have the Kisan Credit Cards, an innovative credit delivery mechanism introduced to provide hassle-free, timely and adequate credit.

During 2011-12, NABARD disbursed Rs 5162 crore for various development projects in the state, including Rs 55.62 crore for watershed development in the districts of Palakkad, Wayanad and Kasargod. In addition, Rs 113 crore has been sanctioned for supporting the capacity expansion programme of the Kerala government through Kerala State Warehousing Corporation. NABARD is also supporting the business diversification activities of the Primary Agriculture Credit Societies.

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G Suseelan

Managing Director

A successful Indo-Japanese JV

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Nitta Gelatin India Ltd

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itta Gelatin India Ltd (NGIL), formerly Kerala Chemicals and Proteins Ltd, is one of the most successful Indo-Japanese joint ventures. Established in 1975, it is promoted by Kerala State Industrial Development Corporation Ltd in collaboration with Nitta Gelatin Inc, Japan.

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itta Gelatin India Ltd (NGIL), formerly Kerala Chemicals and Proteins Ltd, is one of the most successful Indo-Japanese joint ventures.

Established in 1975, it is promoted by Kerala State Industrial Development Corporation Ltd in collaboration with Nitta Gelatin Inc, Japan. The company is listed at the Bombay and Cochin Stock Exchanges. Since inception, the company has had an impressive growth history, and the turnover in 2011-12 was Rs 246 crore. It is expected to touch Rs 300 crore in 2012-13. It earns foreign exchange to the tune of Rs 150 crore per year through exports.

The flagship product of the company is pharmaceutical grade Gelatin, used to make hard and soft Gelatin capsules. Gelatin is manufactured at a state-of-the-art manufacturing plant in Kakkanad in Ernakulam district of Kerala. The manufacturing technology is provided by the principals, M/S Nitta Gelatin Inc. Globally, Nitta Group is the fourth largest Gelatin manufacturer.

The company has five manufacturing plants. In addition to Gelatin, NGIL also manufacturers Ossein, Dicalcium Phosphate, Collagen Peptide, Gelixer

CollagenPep (consumer product for knee joint health), Nutrigold, Chitosan, and organic manures. The products of the company are known for their quality. The B2B customers of the company are leading national and international companies. NGIL employs about 500 people.

The company forayed into consumer business with the launch of Gelixer CollagenPep as an effective health food supplement to improve joint health and quality of life. This is a formulation based on the product ‘Collagen Peptide’. NGIL is the only manufacturer of Collagen Peptide in India.

The company is poised for further growth with the launch of a series of healthcare products being developed by its in-house R&D and the application centres of its principals in Japan and USA. It is also expanding and consolidating the Gelatin business. The medium term goal of the company is to reach a turnover of Rs 500 crore by 2014-15.

NGIL Managing Director G Suseelan is an alumnus of Trichur Engineering College and School of Management Studies, Cochin University.

An industrial growth accelerator

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P K Ahammed, Chairman, K E Moidu, Managing Director, K E Shanavaz, Joint Managing Director

Peekay Group

eekay Group was established in 1942 by Haji P K Moidu, a legend of his time, known for his grand vision.

Today, under the spirited leadership of Haji Moidu’s son, P K Ahammed, the Group has consolidated its presence in the industry as one of the most respected Indian family business houses, with an annual turnover exceeding Rs 600 crore.

Headquartered at Kozhikode, Peekay Group is a conspicuous example of the industrial development of Kerala and its areas of interest include steel, real estate and construction, plantation, education, healthcare, flour mills, and charitable institutions.

Peekay Steel Castings (P) Ltd is the flagship company of the Group with manufacturing units in Calicut and Coimbatore. The company manufactures value added high quality steel castings of Carbon Steel, Stainless Steel, Alloy Steels of various compositions and special steel in various sizes and weights, ranging from half kg to 15 tonnes per piece, for the oil and gas, power, mining, earth moving, transportation and other engineering sectors.

About half of the company’s output is exported to the USA, European Union, Japan, Korea, ASEAN and the Middle Eastern countries. The company has

the expertise to produce nuclear castings as well. Peekay Rolling Mills (P) Ltd manufactures TMT Bars in sizes 8,10,12,16, 20 and 25 mm in grades Fe415, 500D and 550, using world renowned TEMPCORE process under license from CRM, Belgium. It is the first rolling mill in Kerala to possess both BIS license and ISO 9001certification. Both steel compaeekay Group, nies are among which runs three the largest roller flour mills, sets contributors to the excheq- aside profit earned for Corporate Social uer and have won top duty Responsibility initiapayer award in tives year after year. the organised private sector under the Calicut Central Excise Commissionerate for four years. They have won the top award for industrial safety from the government of Kerala and the National Safety Council (Kerala Chapter).

Peekay Group, which runs three roller flour mills, sets aside the profit earned for Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives year after year. Substantial contributions are made towards educational institutions, hospitals, and orphanages.

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Shyam Sundar Agarwal Chairman & Managing Director

A steely dominance

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Premium Ferro Alloys Ltd

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remium Ferro Alloys Limited is the leading manufacturer of High Strength Reinforcement Steel in Kerala. The brand “Premium”, known for its superior quality, has helped the company in becoming a major player in this segment for over a decade in Kerala. The company’s Promoter, Chairman and Managing Director, Shyam Sundar Agarwal, belongs to an enterprising Marwari family, hailing from Sri Ganganagar district of Rajasthan.

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remium Ferro Alloys Limited is the leading manufacturer of High Strength Reinforcement Steel in Kerala.

The brand “Premium”, known for its superior quality, has helped the company in becoming a major player in this segment for over a decade in Kerala.

The company’s Promoter, Chairman and Managing Director, Shyam Sundar Agarwal, belongs to an enterprising Marwari family, hailing from Sri Ganganagar district of Rajasthan. The family, which has history of three generations in manufacturing and trading across India, has a major presence in Steel Manufacturing, Flour Milling, Textiles, and International Trading of Commodities. Agarwal arrived in Kerala in the mid-eighties to set up a flour mill in the state, considering the growing market potential here. This was followed by setting up of a Steel manufacturing Plant in 1992. He has been closely associated with the imple- mentation of various other family projects in th neighbouring states. Agarwal is assisted by his son, Rahul Bayawala, the Executive Director of the company.

Agarwal is actively associated with the industry and trade associations like The

Confederation of Indian Industry, Indian Chamber of Commerce & Industry and All India Induction Furnaces Association, among others. He is also actively involved with many social organisations like the Jan Kalyan Society and Friends of Tribals Society.

Premium Ferro Alloys Ltd has been selected as a “Model Unit” under the United Nations Development Programme – Global Environment Facility, implemented by the Ministry of Steel, Govt of India. The company is an ISO 9001:2008 certified unit; ISO 14001, the internationally recognised standard for environmental manage- ment , is under imple- mentation. “Premium” Reinforcement Steel has received ISI certification (IS: 1786-2008 & IS: 2831-2001) from the Bureau of Indian Standards. The product, which commands a premium in the domestic market, is exported to various countries around the globe. It is manufactured in a state-of-the-art plant using the latest Thermo Mechanical Treatment technology, which results in excellent ductility, high bend ability, better corrosion resistance, superior weld ability and stronger bonding with concrete.

Dr A M Anvar

CMD and Chief Physician

The mantra of ‘Precise Ayurveda’

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Punarnava Ayurveda Hospital Pvt Ltd

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ver since its inception in 1990 in Kerala, Punarnava Ayurveda Hospital has been at the forefront to provide the best Ayurveda treatment services against a wide range of diseases. The success rate in certain ‘difficult to treat’ cases has proved Punarnava’s credentials.

Punarnava, which is ISO 9001-2008 certified, has Green Leaf accreditation, the highest level of classification for Ayurveda centres, from the Kerala government’s Department of Tourism.

yurveda, the most sought after science of life today, is the most ancient healing system in this planet.

At Punarnava Ayurveda Hospital, we practice this age-old wisdom in its pristine form. In fact, the word ‘Punarnava’ means ‘renewed’. We call our treatment modality ‘Precise Ayurveda’, as we incorporate the latest advancement in medical science to make the diagnosis foolproof.

Ever since its inception in 1990 in Kerala, Punarnava Ayurveda Hospital has been at the forefront to provide the best Ayurveda treatment services against a wide range of diseases. The success rate in certain ‘difficult to treat’ cases has proved Punarnava’s credentials.

Punarnava, which is ISO 9001-2008 certified, has Green Leaf accreditation, the highest level of classification for Ayurveda centres, from the Kerala government’s Department of Tourism. Based in Kerala, Punarnava has four centres in Cochin – at Edappally, Kaloor, Vyttila, and Panampilly Nagar

- and KIMS Ayurveda and Research Center, KIMS Hospital, in Thiruvananthapuram.

For the last two decades, these hospitals have been instrumental in providing Ayurvedic healthcare to hundreds of patients who arrive from various parts of the globe. Today, Punarnava receives patients from more than 26 countries, including the US, the UK, Germany, and Japan. A pioneer in the healthcare industry, Punarnava Hospitals are known for: • Dedicated service of excellent physicians from both streams – Ayurveda and modern medicine • Ayurvedic treatment experience of more than 20 years • Usage of genuine, self-made Ayurvedic medicines • Incorporation of most modern technologies for foolproof diagnosis • Well-trained, friendly therapists and staff • Uncompromising approach towards quality and class 201

Adv T A Vijayan Executive Director

A trend-setter in professional education

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SNGCE Kolenchery

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ree Narayana Gurukulam College of Engineering (SNGCE) is a new-age multi-disciplinary institute offering a gamut of courses in Engineering, Computer Applications and Management streams.

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nitiated and managed by Sree Narayana Gurukulam Trust, a registered charitable trust formed by a group of visionaries, the institution aims to uphold the ideals of the great social reformer Sree Narayana Guru (1855-1928).

The institution, which started functioning in 2002, has assumed multiple dimensions, both in the sphere of academics as well as in infrastructure facilities, within a short span of time. The institution received the ISO 9001:2008 certification in 2009 and is accredited by the International Accreditation Organisation (IAO). The college is affiliated to Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam, Kerala, and approved by the All India Council for Technical Education, New Delhi.

Building on over 10 years of excellence, the institute has become a trend-setter in professional education in the state. The spectrum of learning in the institution includes under-graduate programmes in Electronics and Communication Engineering, Computer Science and Engineering, Mechanical Engineering , Electrical and Electron-

ics Engineering, Civil Engineering and Post Design, Computer Aided Structural Engineering, Power Electronics and Computer Science Engineering.

The college is manned by a team of 171 teaching and 80 non-teaching staff.

SNGCE is equipped with modern amenities that facilitate professional learning. The campus is WiFi-enabled and has installed the most advanced e-learning facility, D-Space Repository System. The Internet centre provides Net access through BSNL dedicated Multiple Lease Line having 10 MBps bandwidth. Besides the central library, all departments have separate reference libraries that cater to the research needs of the teaching fraternity. Excellent hostels are provided for boys and girls inside the campus. A fleet of 18 college buses ply from far-flung destinations, providing easy conveyance to both faculty and students. The campus is spread over 40 acres of greenery at Kadayiruppu, four km North of Kolenchery and 14 km South of Perumbavoor. The nearest airport is Kochi International Airport, just 30 km from the campus.

Ravi Menon Chairman

Technology meets aesthetics

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Sobha Developers Ltd

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ith three decades of experience in creating resplendent interiors of palaces and masterpieces in the Middle East, P N C Menon founded Sobha Developers Ltd in 1995. Over the years, the Rs 15 billion enterprise has metamorphosed into one of the fastest growing and only backward integrated real estate players in India, thanks to its top-notch quality, customer-centric approach, uncompromising business ethics and robust engineering.

obha’s business philosophy is to deliver world class quality. Today, over 50 million square feet of built-up space stands as testament to this commitment across the country.

The company is primarily focussed on residential and contractual projects.

Its residential projects include presidential apartments, villas, row houses, super-luxury and luxury apartments and plotted developments that are equipped with amenities such as a club house, a swimming pool and a shopping complex, all of which lay a strong emphasis on environmental management, water harvesting and the highest safety standards. On the contractual side, Sobha’s project portfolio includes corporate offices, convention centres, software development blocks, multiplex theatres, hostel facilities, guest houses, food courts, restaurants, research centres, and club houses for the biggest names in the country like Infosys, Taj Group, ITC, HCL, Dell, HP, and Bosch. All Sobha projects are

aesthetically pleasing and ergonomically created, providing the best value propositions. The company’s in-house R&D department continually evaluates the latest innovative techniques in construction and finds ways to integrate them in its several work processes, ensuring the maximum value to its customers at every stage.

Sobha’s strength lies in its unique backward integration model, which means the company has all the vital competencies and in-house resources to deliver a project right from conceptualisation to completion. This premium in-house service includes India’s largest wood working factory, a metal works and glazing factory, and a concrete products factory.

Sobha has time and again been acknowledged for the quality of its projects by various prestigious institutions of repute. It is an organisation where quality meets excellence, technology meets aesthetics, and passion meets perfection.

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P H Kurian, IAS

Principal Secretary - IT

Kerala’s IT growth propellers

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K G Girish Babu CEO, Technopark

Jijo Joseph

CEO, Infopark

Technopark & Infopark

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echnopark is the single largest IT Park in the country with six million sq. ft. IT/ITeS built-up area with 270 companies and 40,000 IT/ITeS professionals.

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echnopark, the first IT Park in the country, was set up by the Kerala government in 1990. By virtue of its world class ICT infrastructure, fine human talent, and support from the State government, Technopark in Trivandrum has become a leading IT/ ITES player in the country. It will soon become an IT powerhouse.

Technopark operates a Special Economic Zone on its campus with IBS Software and Services and Tata Consultancy Services as co-developers. Development of the second phase of Technopark in 86 acres is underway. Being developed as a Special Economic Zone, it has two co-developers - Infosys Technologies and UST Global. For Phase III, Technopark has already acquired 92 acres adjacent to the existing Technopark Campus. It has obtained formal approval for SEZ development in 27 acres.

Technocity Project An integrated IT Township project is coming up in a 450-acre campus five kms away from the Technopark Campus. Tata Consultancy Services would be setting up its Global Learn-

ing Academy, Asia’s largest training academy, in 83 acres with an investment of Rs 1500 crore.

Kollam Technopark The first phase of this Technopark, with a built-up space of one lakh sq.ft., is ready for occupation. Companies can commence operations by December 2012. Developed plots will be offered on lease basis to interested co-developers. Once completed, the Park is expected to generate employment opportunities for about 8,000 IT professionals.

Infopark

Infopark, located at Kochi, has ambitious plans to become one of the major IT Parks in the country. With this vision, it has been growing rapidly ever since its inception in 2004.

Within a short period of time, it has attracted investments from IT majors like Tata Consultancy Services, Wipro, Affiliated Computer Services, OPI Global, IBS Software Services, and US Technology. The Infopark campus is divided into a Special Economic Zone (SEZ) and a non-SEZ facility.

C Balagopal

Managing Director

Leading supplier of blood bags

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Terumo Penpol

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ounded more than 26 years ago by a visionary who quit the Indian Administrative Service, Peninsula Polymers (PENPOL) turned out to be the country’s first blood bag manufacturer. The company’s Founder and Managing Director, C Balagopal, started this venture by developing this unique technology in collaboration with the Sri Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology. At that time, blood centres in India were using bottles or imported blood bags.

n spite of initial difficulties, the company emerged as the leading player in the blood transfusion market in India and also started exporting blood bags. In the meantime, the company started a medical equipment division to manufacture equipment used in the collection, storage, and processing of blood and blood components.

In 1999, the company entered into a joint venture with Terumo Corp, a Japanese medical equipment major, and changed its name to Terumo Penpol Limited (TPL). TPL today has a turnover exceeding Rs 120 crore, with exports to more than 50 countries in Asia, Australia, Europe, and Latin America. The company has a headcount of more than 1000 people. TPL is the largest producer of blood bags in Asia (outside Japan) with a capacity exceeding 20 million bags per annum.

The company has been growing at a rate of around 20 per cent for the last few years.

TPL products have received stringent quality and regulatory certificates including ISO 9000, ISO 13485, CE

Marking, ANVISA, etc. TPL remains the market leader in India not only in terms of sales, but also in introducing advanced practices in Blood Banking and Transfusion Medicine.

The company manufactures a variety of blood bags including safety feature bags, TAB and In-line filter bags, as well as a range of blood bank equipment, including blood bank refrigerators, deep freezers, blood collection monitors and donor stations. The company also sells imported products from Terumo BCT, the blood transfusion division of Terumo Corp.

The products include automated blood collection systems where people can donate only the required blood component instead of whole blood, and therapeutic apheresis systems which can perform therapeutic plasma exchange and stem cell collection for the treatment of cancer and various other conditions.

Inspired by its philosophy to “contribute to society through healthcare”, TPL continues to grow as a global company.

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K C Sanjeev

Chairman & Managing Director

Well-bound is Welbound

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Welbound Worldwide

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elbound Worldwide is synonymous with adhesive binding in India. The Group manufactures various machines that complete the post-press cycle from paper folding machines to three knife trimmers. Together with its partners, the Group delivers technology that converts the printed information into a well-bound book.

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even out of ten books made in India, one way or the other, has been touched by Welbound - be it folding, gathering, hot melt glue binding, or trimming.

Welbound Worldwide was established in 1989, by K C Sanjeev, a young entrepreneur, along with N Kumar, a design engineer. They shared a common passion to develop a stateof-the-art equipment for the graphic art industry, at affordable prices. P Sajith, a marketing professional, joined this team in 1991. Welbound went on to change the way books are bound in India. Since then, Welbound has developed more than 15 products and variants, with indigenous expertise.

From folding to trimming, the products complete the book binding cycle. Welbound has worked closely with all the links in the value chain of book publishing. There are strong partnerships with publishers (print buyers), printers, and bookbinders, and the Group has tried to evolve as an important link in

access of education. The business process was to employ the machine as the beginning of a relationship. Then came extended services like supply of consumables, process training, assistance in trials, annual maintenance contracts and so on. The long term, consistent relationship with the customer helped the Group gain market leadership, despite availability of cheaper imports. Welbound partnered with publishers, printers, bookbinders and exercise notebook manufacturers to deliver better bound books. The strategic partnership with world leaders in adhesives, Henkel Adhesives, helped Welbound deliver complete solutions to the book binding industry. Welbound also has tie-ups with a few European manufacturers for the production of their machines and accessories in India.

For his contributions, Sanjeev has won many awards at the national and state level, the important ones being the Indian President’s Award for entrepreneurship, for two consecutive years.

INDEX 100 Eminent Malayalees Adoor Gopalakrishnan 51 A K Antony 52 A Ramachandran 53 Abraham koshy 54 Abraham Verghese 55 Ajit Balakrishnan 56 Akkitham Achuthan Namboothiri 57 Allah Rakha Rahman 58 Artist Namboothiri 59 Arundhati Roy , Mary Roy 60 Azad Moopen 61 B Ekbal 62 B Ravi Pillai 63 C Balagopal 64 C J George 65 C K Menon 66 C V Jacob 67 E C G Sudarshan 68 E M Najeeb 69 E P Unny 70 E Sreedharan 71 G Madhavan Nair 72 G Shankar 73 George Gee varghese 74 Gita Gopinath 75 I M Vijayan 76 Jose Dominic 77 K Bahuleyan 78 K G Subramanyan 79 K J Yesudas 80 K K Venugopal 81 K M Cherian 82 K N Panikkar 83 K P P Nambiar 84 K R Gouri Amma 85 K S Chithra 86 K T Thomas Justice 87

Kalamandalam Gopi 88 Kalamandalam Kshemavathy 89 Kanayi Kunhiraman 90 Kavalam Narayana Panicker 91 Kochouseph Chittilappilly 92 Kris Gopalakrishnan 93 Krishnan Nair Captain 94 M Fathima Beevi Justice 95 M G S Narayanan 96 M K Narayanan 97 M P Veerendra Kumar 98 M S Swaminathan 99 M S Valiathan 100 M T Vasudevan Nair 101 Madhu 102 Mammen mathew 103 Mammootty 104 Margi Sathi 105 Mata Amritanandamayi Devi 106 Mohanlal 107 Mrinalini Sarabhai and Mallika Sarabhai 108 M V Pylee 109 N R Madhava Menon 110 Nirupama Rao 111 O N V Kurup 112 P Jayachandran 113 P Muhammed Ali 114 P T Usha 115 Pamela Anna Mathew 116 P K Warrier 117 P N C Menon 118 Prakash Karatt 119 Priyadarshan 120 R Gopalakrishnan 121 R K Krishna Kumar 122 Ranjan Mathai 123 Resul Pookutty 124 S D Shibulal 125

Sarah Joseph 126 Sashi Kumar 127 Shashi Tharoor 128 Shivshankar Menon 129 Soorya Krishnamoorthy 130 Sri M 131 Subhash Menon 132 Sugathakumari 133 Sunitha Krishnan 134 Sunny Varkey 135 T J S George 136 T K A Nair 137 T K Kurien 138 T N Seshan 139 T P Sreenivasan 140 Tessy Thomas 141 Thanu Padmanabhan 142 Uthradom Thirunal Marthanda Varma 143 V Dakshinamoorthy 144 V K Mathews 145 V P Dhananjayan and Shanta Dhananjayan 146 V R Krishna Iyer 147 Verghese Kurien 148 Vidya Balan 149 Yusuff Ali M A 150

Promising Organisations State Bank of India

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Appolo Tyres 156 DC Books 158 Galfar 160 Lakeshore Hospital & Research Centre Ltd 162 Mather Projects 164 Medical Trust Hospital 166 South Indian Bank 168

State Bank of Travancore Synthite Industries Limited TKM Group of Institutions Trans Asia Group of Companies

170 172 174 176

Adi Shankara Institute of Engg & Technology 178 Airtravel Enterprises Group 179 Anna Kitex Group 180 Artech Realtors 181 Arya Vaidya Sala, Kottakkal 182 Aspinwall & Co Ltd 183 Asset Homes 184 BCG Group 185 DCSMAT Institutions 186 Doha Brokerage & Financial Services Ltd 187 Eastern Group 188 Federal Institute of Science And Technology 189 HiLITE Builders Pvt Ltd 190 IBS Software Services 191 Joyalukkas Group 192 Kerala Institute of Medical Sciences 193 Kerala Travels Interserve 194 Malabar Group of Companies 195 Muthoot Pappachan Group 196 NABARD 197 Nitta Gelatin India Ltd 198 Peekay Group 199 Premium Ferro Alloys Ltd 200 Punarnava Ayurveda Hospital Pvt Ltd 201 SNGCE Kolenchery 202 Sobha Developers Ltd 203 Technopark & Infopark 204 Terumo Penpol 205 Welbound Worldwide 206

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DC Books