KOTTAYAM is a land of unique characteristics.
Bordered by the lofty Western Ghats on
the east and the Vembanad Lake and paddy fields of Kuttanand on the west, it is the only
district in Kerala that neither shares a border with neighboring states nor with Arabian
Sea. The city of Kottayam is called "Akshara Nagari" considering it's contribution to
print media and literature. It is also called the land of LATEX, LETTERS, LAKES &
LEGENDS. Kottayam can claim many firsts to it’s credit
LAND OF LETTERS
1] Kottayam municipality is the first town in India to have achieved 100% literacy (in
1989), in 1991 kottayam district achieved 100% literacy
2] English education started first time in south India at old seminary, Kottayam as early
as 1813
3] The first college in the Kerala State (CMS College) was also started at Kottayam in
1840. Vidyasamgraham, a publication of CMS College, is the first College Magazine in
the State and was started in 1864.
4] The first English high school in Kerala was started by the missionaries of Church
Mission Society (CMS), at Kottayam in 1821.
5] Baker Memorial Girls High School in Kottayam, founded by Amalia Dorothea Baker,
is the oldest girls' schools in Kerala.
6] The first printing press in Kerala was established (CMS Press) here in 1821 by
[Link] Baily.
7] Maiden printed English & Malayalam Dictionaries were published from Kottayam in
1846 & 1865 respectively.
8] The first travelogue in Malayalam, Varthamana Pusthakam (1778), written by
Parammekkal Thoma Kathanar was published from Kottayam
9] The first autobiography in Malayalam by Vaikom Pachu Moothathu was published
from Kottayam in 1870.
10] The first Malayalam Bible was also published from Kottayam.
11] The first and only Cooperative Society of writers, authors and publishers (SPCS), for
publishing books and periodicals was set up in 1945 at Kottayam.
12] Deepika, the first daily newspaper in Malayalam & published from Kottayam, Started
in 1887.
13] Kottayam is the home town of a vast number of books and periodicals and 70% of
books in Kerala are being published from here. Popular publishing houses like Malayala
Manorama publications, [Link], Labour India Publications Ltd, Mangalam
Publications, Deepika, V Publishers, Vidhyarthimitram, Avanthi publications, National
book stall (S.P.C.S).
LAND OF LEGENDS
1]. Sri K. R. NARAYANAN, the first keralite to become the President of India was born
in Kottayam District.
2] Justice [Link], who is the first keralite to become Chief Justice of
India also hails from Kottayam district [Incidentally K. R. NARAYANAN &
[Link] are the first Indians to be elevated to those positions from dalit
community, which shows Kottayam’s achievement in providing education to all sections
of society]
3] Kottayam also given birth to [Link], who is the first malayali to
win prestigious THIRD WORLD ACADEMY OF SCIENCE Award in Physics and he
was nominated for NOBEL PRIZE 6 times.
4] Kottayam has given birth to MAMOOTY, The actor has won BHARATH award 3
times.
5] SISTER ALPHONSA who was born in Kottayam, is the first Indian, who was
canonized as a Catholic saint
7] MISS. PARVATHI OMANAKUTTAN is the first malayali to become the runner up
in world beauty contest also hails from Kottayam
8] [Link] ROY, who is the first Indian citizen to win the prestigious booker
prize was born in Kottayam.
9] Kottayam is the first town in India, selected to be transformed as an Eco City
10] Apart from KANNUR & ALEPPY, KOTTAYAM also given birth to two chief
ministers of Kerala ([Link] NAIR & OOMEN CHANDY)
11] The legendary writers such as Ramapurathu Rama Warrier,Kottarathil Shakunni
Menon & Vaikom Muhamed Basher are sons of Kottaym .Two of the the Ashtavidya
parmbara families(famous for ancient ayurveda treatment) outside Bharathapuzha basin
hail from kottayam.
12]. Kottayam is also a gateway to the famous pilgrim centers like Sabrimala, Manarcadu
church, Puthupally church, Aruvithara Pally, Bharanaganam alphonsa shrine,
Panachikkadu temple, Vaikom temple, Ettumanoor temple, ,Vennimala temple,
Malliyoor temple & Erumeli Vavaru pally
13] Kottayam is also known as second Vatican owing to large number of Theological
seminaries & bishop houses.
LAND OF LAKES
1] VEMBANAD LAKE, the largest lake in Kerala, lies in the west of Kottayam [Link]
is fed by five major rivers of south kerala [Achenkovil, Pampa, Manimala, Meenachil
& Muvattupuzha]-& Famous PATHIRAMANAL ISLAND situates in Vembanad Lake.
1] KUMARAKOM, Rated as one of the top 15 beautiful spots in the world by the
National Geographic Magazine, is just 14 kms away from Kottayam town.
2] LAND OF LATEX
1] Kerala accounts for 70% of the Rubber production in India, major part of this being
the contribution of Kottayam. Hence many major rubber based industries have
established in Kottayam. The Indian Rubber Board, Plantation Corporation of
Kerala & Kerala Forest Development Corporation have their headquarters at
Kottayam. Kottayam is selected by IGNOU for starting a course in plantation
management (First of its kind in Asia).
Tail piece:
Kottayam is also famous for 3 ‘K’[Link], KAPPA, KARIMEEN, KALLU (TODDY)
AJU V CHACKO
ajuvchacko@[Link]
