12. Thumbnail sketches of a few family members who have made a mark in social arena
Padmashree Barrister George Joseph – educated in Edinburgh, stood shoulder to shoulder with Gandhi , Nehru and Vallabhai Patel was a member of Central Legislative Assembly(1937).Editor of ‘Young India’ and ‘The Independent’, jailed with Nehru(1921-23) and a member of Home Rule League (1918).Gave leadership to Simon Commission boycott and Vaikom Satyagraha. 65 Kurian Varghese – represented Chengannur as a member of Travancore State Assembly (M.E.1099)).Served as President of Malankara Syrian Catholic Congress.66 PadmaBhushan Pothen Joseph - influential journalist who earned international repute through his column ‘Over a Cup of Tea’. Worked as Chief editor of Hindustan Times, Indian Express, The Dawn and Deccan Herald . During Nehru’sPrime Ministership played a pivotal part in drafting the Journalists’ wages and working conditions .
P. Jacob (Oorayil) - Senior Associate Editor in 'The Hindu'.67 Mammen Kannanthanam – Prominent freedom fighter who took part in Vaikkom Satyagraha, Nivarthana Prakshobam etc was incarcerated only to resume as President of All Kerala Malanad Karshaka Sanghom and President of All Kerala Estate Workers Union and Secretary Kerala Socialist Party .68 PadmaShree P.M.Joseph - Was awarded Padmasree for his service to the field of sports. Founder of Laxmibhai National College of Physical Education , Gwalior .69 Abraham Vakil – Founder President of Chengannur Bar Council . Fought against isolation and denial of rights to the underprivileged ‘harijans’. Founder of ‘Kerala Kraisthava Sevaka Samithi’. Eapen Inchakalodil - took part in Nivarthana Prakshobam and all the other uprisings organized by State Congress .Election convener of Congress Party for Lok Sabha and Assembly elections . K.C.Koshy -The only Malayali among the 5 leaders of Naval Mutiny against British which was supported by Subash Chandra Bose’s supporters .Court martialled and jailed he was awarded the 24th Tamrapathra by Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. Thomman Thomman (1580-1655) - Trusted steward ( kaaryasthan)of Vanjipuzha chief (ruler of Chengannur).Authorized to reconcile disputes and advise on law and order in Vanjipuzha principality. Presented gold ring and ‘pattukara’ for organizing the Thrichittattu temple Ghat construction.( kshethrakulam). Kochandy Vakil - Only Christian Pandaravaka vakil under Princess Gouri Parvathibhai .Authorized to adjudicate on legal matters. Koshy Inspector(M.E.1032-1071) - One of the first Christian Inspectors in Travancore police .Rewarded a horse by police Commissioner Bensley for quelling the Muslim revolt in Kollam. T.V.Punnose - Assistant Textiles Commissioner, Research wing secretaryof University of Travancore ,Joint Director of Industries , General Manager Kerala Ceramics, Member of Government of India Development Council. K.K.John - Assistant Accounts General of Government of Kerala and Assistant Accounts Officer of Government of India . John Thomas –Served as Principal of St.John’s College , Ceylon and Head of Physics Department in American College, Madurai.. George Zachariah -. Additional Secretary government of Kerala , Private secretary to three ministers of Kerala - T.K.Divakaran , K.M Mani, P.J. Joseph . Chevalier George Verghese – Senior advocate Kerala High Court., awarded Chevalier title by the Pope for outstanding contribution to Church and public life. . K.J.George I.P.S.- Inspector General of Police and head of Public Grievance Cell ,he was awarded President’s medal for meritorious service . Dr.P.Zachariah- Principal of Christian Medical College , Vellore and Head of department of Physiology . Dr. John Joseph- renowned scientist and Director NASA Research Station at California , also head of Physics department at Tallahassee University,USA .Dr .Samuel Thomas - head of Physics department at Canada Military College .Dr. Cherian Thomas- Professor Zoology ,Christian College and visiting professor at Cochin University and Mahatma Gandhi University. Dr. George Varghese – H.O.D.Electronics and Telecommunications T.K.M. College of Engineering , he won Dr.Alexander Marthoma Award for contributions in field of music . Ninan Thomas- (Bombay Paappachan) First Malayali to play in Rovers Cup , Bombay and I.F.A.Shield , Culcutta. “Ninan Thomas was the first Indian to play in England’s first division football” said English footballer Johny Walker . Prof.Babu Zachariah- Doordarshan and Radio sports commentator for 35 years , H.O.D. English , Marthoma College and Principal St. Mary’s College for Women. Thomas John- proprietor Thomsun Cassettes(Dubai). 70 P.G.Mathai I.R.S.- was a senior manager in Indian Railways 71. Abraham Varghese I.R.S.- Planning Commission of India Project Evaluation Officer for Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Kerala ,Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh 72. Sunny Punchamannil - managing committee member of the Syrian Orthodox Church . Dr.Mathai Paulose- Chairman Critical Care Committee , USA, Vice President World Child Care ,Fellow of American College of Chest Physicians, Outstanding Teacher Award of Tulane University ,USA. Professor in Pulmonary and Critical Care Department at Tulane University ,USA . Jithu George - Gold medallist at 2004 National Rifle Shooting Championship and Silver medallist at 2003 National Rifle Shooting Championship. 73 Mathews Pathisseril - Founder member Basil trust ( Baroda, Gujarat), Director, Kerala Mentally Disabled Association ,State Advisory Member of Hospital Ministries of India .74 K.C.G.Varghese - Director ,Hindustan College of Engineering Technology(H.I.E.T), Madras and former President Air Taxi Forum of India . K.C.Samuel - Director, Hindustan Electronics Academy, Hindustan Aviation Academy Evehans Business Academy, Director of the International Aviation Academy and the Barons’ Pvt. Ltd, Kochi. ,Bangalore. Anand Jacob Varghese - Pro - Chancellor of Hindustan University , Chennai , Tamil Nadu , Director of Hindustan Group of Institutions , Chennai and Additional Director of Orient Flight School , Chennai. Ashok Varghese - Director of Hindustan University and Director of Hindustan Group of Institutions . 75. Alex M. Chacko - General Secretary of Kerala Vyapari Vyavasayi Ekopana Samithi (Kerala Merchants Association) .76
As individuals build up families and families in turn form the warp and woof of the social fabric , the socio - political and cultural fibre of families form the tone and texture of the society . From this perspective the contribution of ThulaserryManapurathu family to the society can never be underestimated.
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