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Kizhakkayil Mathai Chandy | |
|---|---|
 Prof. K. M. Chandy | |
| 8th Governor of Madhya Pradesh | |
| In office 30 December 1987 – 30 March 1989 | |
| Chief Minister | Motilal Vora Arjun Singh |
| Preceded by | Narayan Dutta Ojha(Acting) |
| Succeeded by | Sarla Grewal |
| In office 15 May 1984 – 30 November 1987 | |
| Chief Minister | Arjun Singh Motilal Vora |
| Preceded by | B. D. Sharma |
| Succeeded by | Narayan Dutta Ojha(Acting) |
| 6th Governor of Gujarat | |
| In office 6 August 1983 – 26 April 1984 | |
| Chief Minister | Madhav Singh Solanki |
| Preceded by | Sharda Mukherjee |
| Succeeded by | Braj Kumar Nehru |
| 7th Lieutenant Governor of Puducherry | |
| In office 15 May 1982 – 5 August 1983 | |
| Chief Minister | M. D. R. Ramachandran |
| Preceded by | R.N. Haldipur |
| Succeeded by | Kona Prabhakara Rao |
| President of theKerala Pradesh Congress Committee | |
| In office January 1978 – May 1982 | |
| Preceded by | K. C. Abraham |
| Succeeded by | S. Varadarajan Nair |
| Member of theTravancore State Legislature Assembly | |
| In office 1948–1951 | |
| Member of theTravancore–Cochin Legislative Assembly | |
| In office 1952–1957 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Kizhakkayil Mathai Chandy (1921-08-06)6 August 1921 |
| Died | 7 September 1998(1998-09-07) (aged 77) |
| Party | Indian National Congress |
| Spouse | |
| Children | 10 |
| Residence | Pala, Kerala |
| Alma mater | St. Berchmans College University College Thiruvananthapuram |
| Occupation | |
| Website | www |
As of 11 July 2020 Source:[1] | |
Kizhakkayil Mathai Chandy (6 August 1921 – 7 September 1998) was an IndianFreedom fighter,Indian National Congress leader, Member of theTravancore–Cochin Legislative Assembly who also served as thegovernor of theIndian states ofGujarat,Madhya Pradesh and the Union Territory ofPondicherry. From 1948 to 1951, he served as a member of theTravancore State Legislature. From 1952 to 1954, he served as aM.L.A. in theTravancore-Cochin Legislative Assembly. He was also the former president ofKerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) and chairman ofRubber Board.
He was elected unanimously to theState Legislature afterIndependence at the age of 26 and he was re-elected in 1952 and 1954. Chandy was mainly responsible for the establishment and growth of many big co-operative institutions inKerala. The first everYouth Congress Unit was started by him in the year 1953. He founded the Meenachil Co-operative Land Mortgage Bank. He was also theFounder of the Palai Co-operative Marketing Society. The Kerala State Rubber Marketing Federation was founded by him in 1971. He founded the Indian Rubber Growers Association in 1966. The presentB. Tech. Course inrubber technology in theCochin University is his brainchild. It was at his insistence that India joined the Association of Natural Rubber Producing Countries (ANRPC). He led a large number of delegations from India to conferences of International Rubber Study Group, Association of Natural Rubber Producing Countries (ANRPC), International Rubber Research Development Board held atLondon,Kuala Lumpur,Bangkok,Singapore, etc. from 1972 to 1978.[1]
K. M. Chandy was born on 6 August 1921 atPalai inKottayam District as the son of Mariyam and Mathai of the Kizhakkayil family. He had three younger brothers including Pala K.M. Mathew (FormerMember Of Parliament) and a sister.[2] He had his schooling in his home townPalai and College education atSt. Berchmans College Changanacherry andTrivandrum. He completed hisM.A. in English Language andliterature in 1942.
He was married to Mariakutty Chandy in the year 1939 at the age of 18. They have eight sons and two daughters.[3]
Chandy's entry into the world of politics was marked by youthful zeal and an unwavering commitment to justice. During his tenure as an intermediate student at St. Berchman's College inChanganacherry, he exhibited extraordinary leadership. At age of 17, he orchestrated a courageous student's strike protest. This protest was in response to a brutal lathi charge on students inTrivandrum who had gathered to express their support forState Congress leaders. He and a few of his companions though expelled from the College had to be taken back unconditionally following a massSatyagraha at the college gates.
As he pursued his Honours course in English literature atUniversity CollegeTrivandrum, Chandy played a pivotal role in the establishment of the "Tagore Academy". This institution, founded under the guidance of the esteemed Gandhian leader ShriG. Ramachandran, aimed to infuse education with nationalist ideals. They discussedGandhian ideology,nationalism,Tagore literature and Tagore's poems. Mr. Chandy could manage to enroll several students, who were not involved in politics in Tagore Academy.K. R. Narayanan (FormerPresident of India) was one among them.
SirC. P. Ramaswami Iyer (Sir CP) was the Diwan of Travancore and he ruled the kingdom with iron fist. The Diwan sensed the danger from the activity of the academy and banned "Tagore Academy" in 1942 due to its association with fostering patriotic sentiments among students and youth.[4]
The year 1946 marked a significant turning point in Chandy's life, as he immersed himself in the fervor of the freedom movement. Serving as the Secretary of theMeenachil Taluk Congress Committee, his ardor for political activism attracted the attention of the state government.
In mid-April 1946, Prof. K.M. Chandy received two orders from magistrates, one from theThiruvananthapuram magistrate and the other from theKottayam magistrate, both banning him from organizing public meetings and processions. Despite the orders, Prof. Chandy defiantly attended a protest meeting inPala. Subsequently, another Congress meeting was convened in Pala. In July, Prof. Chandy, along with Mr.Kumbalathu Sanku Pillai, Mr.C. Kesavan, Mr. G. Nilakanta Pillai, Mr.Ponkunnam Varkey, Mr.D. C. Kizhakemuri, Mr.Cherian J. Kappan, and Mr. Mathew Manniankadan, were arrested fromPala.
Prof. Chandy was arrested for violating prohibitory orders and was denied bail by thePala court. Subsequently, he was transferred toKottayam, where he remained in lockup until he obtained bail from thehigh court. However, after two weeks, he was arrested again under preventive custody rules and sent toPoojappura Central Jail in Thiruvananthapuram. Upon his arrival at the central jail, he found Congress leaders such as Mr.C. Kesavan, Mr.Kumbalathu Sanku Pillai, and Mr. G. Nilakanda Pillai already imprisoned. Prof. Chandy, being the youngest among the prisoners at only 24 years old, had the opportunity to interact closely with senior leaders during his imprisonment.
The authorities decided to bring Prof. Chandy toKottayam to stand trial in court. He was kept in Kottayam Sub Jail for two months, sharing a cell with Mr. Thankappan and Mr. Sugunanthan,Communist workers suspected of involvement in thePunnapra-Vayalar uprising. They became friends, and Prof. Chandy had the chance to acquaint himself with several Communist leaders during his stay atKottayam prison, including Mr. K.C. Mathew and Mr.P. S. Sreenivasan. In November, Prof. Chandy was convicted and sentenced to one and a half years in prison. He was then again moved toThiruvananthapuram Central Jail.
On 15 August 1947India gainedindependence, and the prisoners along with Chandy celebrated this occasion in jail. However, sinceTravancore had not yet become part ofindependent India, political prisoners were not released. AfterSir C. P. Ramaswami Iyer secretly resigned and left theTravancore Kingdom, all political prisoners were eventually released. Prof. K.M. Chandy regained hisfreedom in September 1947.
TheTravancore State Congress was established in February 1938 under the presidency of ShriPattom A. Thanu Pillai. Shri K.M. Chandy entered Travancore politics at the age of 17 in 1938. Along with other young Congress leaders, he advocated for joining theIndian union. In September 1947, a newDiwan formed a fifteen-member committee to draft a new Constitution for the state and propose the formation of a representative legislature. Shri Chandy proposed amending the objective to "asovereign government elected by the people of Travancore."
When it was time to select Congress candidates for the new assembly, theMeenachil Taluk Congress committee suggested Mr.Chandy's name. Consequently, Shri K.M. Chandy was elected unopposed from thePoonjar constituency. On 14 March 1948 the first people's ministry ofTravancore came into existence, with Shri.Pattom A. Thanu Pillai as thePrime Minister. ThePattom ministry lasted only eight months and resigned on 10 October 1948. A new ministry under ShriT.K. Narayana Pillai took oath on 23 October 1948.
In 1949, after the merger ofTravancore andCochin princely states with theIndian Union, the two existing assemblies were amalgamated into theTravancore-Cochin assembly, and on 1 July 1949 the new ministry with ShriT.K. Narayan Pillai as Chief Minister took office.On 26 January 1952 theIndian Republicanconstitution came into effect, leading to the reconstitution of legislative and parliamentary constituencies in Travancore-Cochin. In March 1952,general elections for the newly constituted legislative assembly took place, and Prof. K.M. Chandy contested and was elected.The ShriA.J. John ministry resigned on 23 September 1953, necessitating new general elections. In 1954, newgeneral elections were held, and Prof. Chandy contested fromMeenachil constituency, winning with a comfortable majority of 6154 votes. He became theChief Whip of theCongress parliamentary party.
On 1 November 1956 theKerala state was established. In March 1957,Legislative Assembly election were held for the state assembly. Party asked Prof. Chandy to contest fromPuliyannoor constituency. His detractors had taken it as an opportunity to defeat him. The big land owners and religious group had believed that the rise of Prof. Chandy would affect theirfeudal hegemony over the public. They all joined with the singleagenda of defeating the progressive youth politician Prof. Chandy. The success of Prof. Chandy in thisarea actually surprised them. Despite their concerted efforts, Prof. Chandy's surprisingpopularity in the area led to a closely contestedelection, which he lost by a margin of merely 600 votes.[5]
Continuing his efforts for the welfare ofMeenachil taluk, Prof. Chandy played a pivotal role in upgrading the current Palagovernment hospital to a Taluk hospital with enhanced facilities, includingCivil surgeon,Assistant surgeons andgynecologist. New facilities including pay wards had been built andX-ray imaging facility had been created in the hospital. One of Prof. Chandy's greatest accomplishments as anM.L.A was constructing abridge over theMeenachil River, which significantly improved connectivity between north and south region for thePala town's residents. The major part ofPala town's town had remained flooded duringmonsoon season. The town roads were raised to mitigate flooding.
Additionally, Prof. Chandy, along withCherian J. Kappan, initiated severalaided high schools inMeenachil taluk. He also facilitated the electrification of most parts ofMeenachil taluk, thereby boosting its agricultural and commercial activities. The Pala market had been developed during his tenure. Shri K.M. Chandy was responsible for obtaining sanction and permission for starting PalaSt.Thomas College.[6]
His imprint extended beyond legislative duties to encompass membership in the inaugural State Planning Board. Additionally, he played a prominent part in the State Minimum WagesAdvisory Board, where he contributed to the formulation of equitable minimum wage standards across diverse industries. Long before theIndian National Trade Union Congress (INTUC) was established, Chandy's pioneering efforts led to the organization and leadership ofTrade Unions under the banner of "THOZHILALI".
Chandy's commitment to the Congress Party was profound and enduring. His influence within theKerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) was instrumental in shaping the party's trajectory in the state. He embarked on a journey within the ranks of the KPCC in 1948, a journey that spanned decades and left an indelible mark on the party's history.
He assumed the mantle ofGeneral Secretary of the KPCC from 1963 to 1967, a period marked by his strategic vision and organizational acumen. Chandy's leadership was characterized by a commitment to democratic processes within the party, even in times when committee sizes were far more modest than they are today. He played a pivotal role in guiding the KPCC through challenges and charting a course aligned with the party's principles.
Chandy's dedication extended to financial stewardship as he assumed the role ofTreasurer of the KPCC from 1967 to 1972. His ability to manage party finances with transparency and integrity bolstered the party's credibility among its supporters and the public at large.[7]
In January 1978, Chandy's indomitable spirit led him to resign from theChairmanship of theRubber Board to take up the monumental challenge of revitalizing the image of theCongress Party in Kerala. At a time when many had distanced themselves fromIndira Gandhi's leadership, Chandy undertook the arduous task of rejuvenating the party's fortunes. His visionary leadership played a pivotal role in the resurgence of the Congress in Kerala after a prolonged hiatus.
Under his stewardship, the Congress triumphantly returned to power inKerala, marking a significant victory for the party. This resurgence was a testament to Chandy's strategic prowess, organizational skills, and deep-rooted connection with the people of Kerala.[8]
Throughout his tenure as a governor, Chandy remained true to his principles of transparency, accountability, and service. His ability to align his governance with the ideals of progress and social justice resonated deeply with Mrs.Indira Gandhi's own vision for India. It was this alignment that led her to entrust him with these important responsibilities.[9]
Chandy's illustrious journey within theCongress Party culminated in a multifaceted role as a statesman. His exceptional leadership, unwavering commitment, and distinguished service were recognized by none other than Mrs.Indira Gandhi, the indomitablePrime Minister of India. With her unyielding faith in his abilities, Chandy was bestowed with a series of significant gubernatorial appointments that added new dimensions to his already remarkable legacy.
Taking on the role ofLieutenant Governor of Pondicherry on 15 May 1982, Chandy stepped into the unique challenge of overseeing thisUnion Territory. With his characteristic dedication, he navigated the intricate landscape of governance, addressing the specific needs ofPondicherry's populace and working towards the upliftment of the region.
On 6 August 1983 Chandy assumed the mantle ofGovernor of Gujarat. This role placed him at the helm of a dynamic and industrially significant state. During his tenure, he exhibited a keen understanding of Gujarat's diverse socio-economic fabric and guided the state towards progress and harmony.
From 15 May 1984 to 30 March 1989, Chandy served as theGovernor of Madhya Pradesh. Here, he embarked on a transformative journey to reform and rectify theeducational system. His commitment to eliminating corrupt practices and ensuring the integrity ofuniversity examinations left an indelible mark on the state's academic landscape.
On 7 September 1998 Prof. K.M Chandy's earthly journey concluded, leaving behind an enduring legacy that encompasses his remarkable contributions toco-operatives,education,politics, and his roles as agovernor. His life story continues to reverberate throughoutKerala and beyond, a testament to his exceptional leadership and the mark he left onIndian governance.[10]
He couldn't complete hisautobiography titled "Jeevitha Vazhiyorakazhchakal" due to his sudden death, but later it was published byLabour (India) publications in 1999 after his death.
Abiography on him titled "Varika Varika Sahajare" was written by Pala K.M. Mathew published byCurrent Books in 2009.[11][12][13][14][15]