mayyanad sangamam tvm chapter: 1.Origin of Mayyanad Sangamam - Report of Meetings from 26.1.2006 to 2.1. 2011

Origin Of Mayyanad Sangamam

Mayyanad Sangamam is an association of natives hailing from Mayyanad Village in Kollam District and are now domiciled in Thiruvanathapuram, the capital city of Kerala State of India.The association is registered under the Travancore-Cochin Literary, Scientific and Charitable Societies Registration Act.1955(Act 12 of 1955).

The Objectives of the association, as per the By-Law are-

To identify by, and from among the members themselves as one among the children of Mayyanad and belonging to Mayyanad.
To unite and work on the basis of love and brotherhood for the general welfare of the members of the Sangamam and that of the people of Mayyanad.
To promote and encourage literary, scientific and artistic talents.
To support and participate in charitable missions.
To assemble now and again for the purpose of diffusion of useful knowledge, and for recreational purposes.

The association was registered on Dec.29, 2004 with register no. T3894 under 1955 Act.

The Inaugural Function

The formal launching of the association was held on January 26, 2006 at Pettah C.Kesavan Memorial Hall in Thiruvanathapuram. It also happened to be the Republic Day of India .

It was inaugurated by the then PSC member Adv.K.Babyson. The meeting was presided over by Dr. Shaji Prabhakaran. Prof. Er. N. Raghuveeran, M.S.Ravi, Dr. M. Anandakumar and Er.D. Kuttappan were the guests of honor. The meeting was attended by around 50 members.

Speaking on the occasion Dr. Shaji Prabhakaran pointed out that Mayyanad Village was already well known in Kerala as a successful model in local self governance for many years now. The inhabitants of Mayyanad consisting of Hindus, Muslims and Christians lived and worked in peaceful co-existence, engaged in rural occupations like Hand loom, Coir, Agriculture and Fishing. The introduction of educational institutions in the 1900s enabled the younger generation to go to schools and colleges for higher education.The slogan by C.V.Kunjuraman (1871-1949) ,"Words are Fire, Fire is Light, Light is Knowledge and Knowledge is Wealth," set alight the imagination of the people and provided the all-enthusing nurture for the following generations of people of Mayyanad Village. Unbiased by cast, creed, community or economic-social status they worked tirelessly. By the end of 19th century the people of Mayyanad had made remarkable progress in all walks of life. By 1960 the village had acquired 95% literacy.The geographical proximity of Mayyanad to the State Capital Thiruvanathapuram was a natural attraction for the educated to move towards the centre of power. This move brought forth many eminent Doctors, Engineers, Professors, Lawyers and Government Officers. The first person to settle in TVM was C.V.Kunjuraman himself. Then followed C.Kesavan who ended up becoming the Chief Minister of Kerala. The Kerala Kaumudi Newspaper magnate K.Sukumaran gave the much needed exposure to people from Mayyanad. Today, descendants of the first generation eminent scholars have come to settle in Thiruvanathapuram. But their hearts beat for their village although occupational requirements keep them here.

It is in this context that the launching of the Mayyanad Sangamam acquired significance and became a reality.

Since the inauguration the organization had grown in strength by many more members joining its rank and taking up several social service causes especially for the betterment of the people of Mayyanad.

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Activities and Meetings of Mayyanad Sangamam Tvm Chapter

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1.05.2007: First Anniversary Meeting

The chief guest on this day was Justice D.Sridevi, Chairperson of Womens' Commission. Addressing the gathering she expressed her immense happiness to be associated with Mayyanad Sangamam. In an age where families are breaking apart, and family values are disintegrating, this venture of the people of Mayyanad Origin to connect and maintain family ties with its parent root was indeed commendable, she added.

The meeting was presided over by Dr. Shaji Prabhakaran. The guests of honour were Dr. Joshy, Dr.G.Rajendran(VSSC) and Dr.Santha Madhavan. Er.D.Kuttappan welcomed the guests and Dr.Syamprakash gave the vote of thanks. It was followed by recreational entertainments and dinner.

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9.02.2008: Second Anniversary Meeting

Dr.Shaji Prabhakaran presided over the meeting. Justice Siri Jagan of the High Court inaugurated the function. The chief guest of honor was the legendary cine actor Sri.Madhu of the Malayalam film industry. Addressing the gathering he narrated how the lives and ideals of the great Mayyanad veterans like K.Damodaran and K.Balakrishnan influenced his life, and made Kerala Kaumudi his daily newspaper, and also spoke of his friendship with M.S.Mani. In the path of life when most people forget their past and family connections it was heartening to see how the people of Mayyanad Origin, where ever they are, make it a point to remain in touch with the family root, added Sri.Madhu. Justice Siri Jagan reminded the people of the sacrifices of their predecessors and exhorted them to follow the path laid by them so that the coming generations will also reap the benefits of good living.

Sri.Madhu decorated with 'ponnada' the other guests of honor - Mayyanad's favourite Nandini teacher, socialite Ibrahimkutty and Rocket Engineering Expert M.Balachandran.

Secretary D.Kuttappan,Treasurer Saji Karunakaran, Prof.Rajan K.Ramesh and Adv.Yesudasan also spoke on the occasion.

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24.2.2008 : Executive Committee Meeting

The executive committee meeting, presided by the new president G.Pavithran, and other committee members, unanimously extended on behalf of Mayyanad Sangamam their whole-hearted support to the agitation for instituting a High Court Bench at Thiruvanathapuram.

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7.08.2008: Onam Meeting and family get together

The chief guest on this day was late Dr.K.Soman,(Rtd.,Commissioner, Kerala Research and Development Commission). He spoke with great nostalgic feelings of the days when their generation had to struggle every bit of their life to reach the higher echelons of power. Prof.J.Padmakumari could not contain her overwhelming happiness at being able to address the gathering consisting of her old students who are all now well placed in life and are a role model for the next generation of Mayyanadians.

The meeting was presided by G.Pavithran. New members who joined the Mayyanad Sangamam introduced themselves to others present. Recreational programmes followed by a Grand Onam Sadya were the highlights.

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17.05.2009: Third Anniversary Meeting

The meeting was inaugurated by chief guest Rev.Fr.Dr.Ferdinand Kayavil. Speaking on the occasion the father expressed his anguish at the seeming lack of responsibility on the part of officials of the Mayyanad Village Panchayat as compared to the people of his generation. For instance he pointed out how the building of the C.Kesavan Memorial in the heart of the Village town remains incomplete, and stands as a monument of neglect and local apathy towards the memory of a great son of the soil.

Dr. Shaji Prabhakaran gave the felicitation address. He agreed with Rev.Kayavil's observation and said the Mayyanad Sangamam in its capacity must do something to rectify the situation.

G.Pavithran presided over the function.Er.N.Manilal welcomed the gathering and Dr.V.Syamprakash gave the vote of thanks.It was followed by recreational programmes and dinner.

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21.9.2009: Onam Meeting and family get-together

The chief guest on this day was late K.E.Mamman, freedom fighter.The President Sri. G.Pavithran presided over the meeting. Dr. Shaji Prabhakaran made the felicitation speech.

The new members introduced themselves and got engaged in a warm family get together.Children sang songs and the meeting ended with a Grand Onam Sadya.

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16.05.2010: Fourth Anniversary Meeting

The meeting was inaugurated by J. LalithambikaIAS (Rtd.,Govt.Secretary). Speaking on the occasion she stressed the need for the association to involve in more social service related activities. G.Pavithran presided over the meeting. Dr. Shaji Prabhakaran and Prof. Padmakumari also spoke on the occasion.

The process of electing the new executive members for the next term was initiated and opinions sought from all members. The meeting ended with songs by children followed by dinner.

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29.8.2010: Onam Meeting

The meeting was presided over by the new president D.Jayachandran (Rtd. Director, Research & Analysis Service). The chief guest on this day was Prof. N. Ravindranathan (Rtd.Principal, S.N.College). He spoke of his experiences as a native of Mayyand Village, his engagements with K.Damodaran, C.Kesavan and the tumultuous periods of their times. He stressed emphatically that had C.Kesavan stood with R.Sankar the history of Kerala would have been different. Their partnership would have held Kerala together in a strong cultural bond like that we see in Tamil Nadu. The disintergration of the state that we see today would not have happened. The strong cultural mould would have kept families together.

Secretary Er.Manilal welcomed the gathering and Vice President Prof.Rajan K.Ramesh gave the vote of thanks. New members who joined the Mayyanad Sangamam were given a warm reception. Songs by children followed by Onam Sadya ended the day's functions.

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2.1.2011: New Year Meeting

The cheif guest on this occasion was Air Commodor(Rtd) K.Ravindranath, son of late C.Kesavan. He along with his family members expressed their immense happiness to be part of the gathering. Old memories of their village flowed as a restless nostalgic stream.

Dr. R.Gopimani gave the main address. His speeches are always interesting and thought evoking. His 40 years of experience in the Department of Agriculture, The Kerala Language Institute and as Prof. and Head of the Dept. of Genetics, University Of Agriculture,Vellayani, had turned him into a store house of knowledge. Given the limited time for his speech he gave us a peep into the world of agriculture.One felt if only he could go on talking!

Dr.Shaji Prabhakaran made the felicitation speech. Er.Manilal welcomed the gathering and Dr.Syamprakash gave the vote of thanks. Children sang songs and the meeting wound up with a sumptuous lunch.