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Undid revision 1037906614 by Pachu Kannan (talk) self revert.

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{{Indian name|Santhosh|George Kulangara}}
{{short description|Indian broadcaster and entrepreneur}}
{{primary sources|date=June 2021}}
{{Use British English|date=November 2011}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2020}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Santhosh George Kulangara
| image = Sgkwml.jpg
| caption = Santhosh George Kulangara
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1971|12|25}}
| birth_place = [[Marangattupilly]], [[Kottayam district|Kottayam]], [[Kerala]], India
| nationality = [[Indian people|Indian]]
| other_names =
| occupation = Managing Director, [[Safari TV]], [[Labour India Publications]]
| known_for = [[Sancharam (TV series)|''Sancharam'']]
| spouse = Soncy<ref name="toindia2007">{{Cite web|date = 15 March 2007 |title=India's first space tourist {{!}} Thiruvananthapuram News - Times of India|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/thiruvananthapuram/indias-first-space-tourist/articleshow/1764846.cms|access-date=2021-07-17|website=The Times of India|language=en}}</ref>
| children = 2
| website = {{Url|https://santhoshgeorge.com/}}
}}
[[File:SGK zerogravity.jpg|thumb|Santhosh George Kulangara on a [[reduced-gravity aircraft]] flight with [[Zero Gravity Corporation]] in 2007]]
'''Santhosh George Kulangara''' (born 25 December 1971) is an Indian [[Publishing|publisher]], [[Entrepreneurship|entrepreneur]] and [[Celebrity|media person]]. He is the founder and managing director of [[Safari TV]], a channel dedicated to travel and history-based programmes. Santhosh also serves as the head of [[Labour India Publications]], an educational publisher based in Marangattupilly in [[Kottayam]] district.<ref name=":7">{{Cite web|date=2021-07-12|title=Kerala traveller to be India's first space tourist aboard Virgin Galactic|url=https://www.deccanherald.com/national/south/kerala-traveller-to-be-indias-first-space-tourist-aboard-virgin-galactic-1007936.html|access-date=2021-07-17|website=Deccan Herald|language=en}}</ref><ref name=":3" /> As of 2021, Santhosh had travelled to more than 130 countries and his experiences and sights of journeys are telecasted through [[Sancharam (TV series)|Sancharam]], the first visual travelogue in [[Malayalam]].<ref name=":2">{{Cite news|last=Basheer|first=K. P. M.|date=2019-01-10|title=He caught the travel bug, passed it on|language=en-IN|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/he-caught-the-travel-bug-passed-it-on/article25963067.ece|access-date=2021-02-22|issn=0971-751X}}</ref><ref name=":6">{{Cite web|author=Deepa Soman / TNN |title=I'm hoping to capture most of my space exploration trip on camera: Santhosh George Kulangara {{!}} Kochi News - Times of India|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kochi/im-hoping-to-capture-most-of-my-space-exploration-trip-on-camera-santhosh-george-kulangara/articleshow/84238047.cms|access-date=2021-07-12|website=The Times of India|language=en}}</ref>

==Early life and career==
Santhosh was born in [[Marangattupilly]] in the [[Kottayam district|Kottayam District]], [[Kerala]] on 25 December 1971.<ref name=":3" /><ref name=":4">{{Cite web|title=Santhosh George Kulangara|url=https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/17166392.Santhosh_George_Kulangara|access-date=2021-06-01|website=www.goodreads.com}}</ref> After doing his post-graduation in journalism and mass communication from [[Madurai Kamaraj University]],<ref>{{Cite web|date=2010-06-19|title=Space will be his next stop|url=https://www.deccanherald.com/content/76351/space-his-next-stop.html|access-date=2021-07-17|website=Deccan Herald|language=en}}</ref> he started in journalism in 1992 by making telefilms and documentaries for various television channels. At the age of 26,<ref>{{Citation|title=A day with Santhosh George Kulangara at Safari channel corporate office {{!}} Chat with Baiju N Nair|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7tzSrdO9TQY|language=en|access-date=2021-07-16}}</ref> he assumed the leadership of Labour India Publications, a publishing house which provides journals and magazines for students.<ref>{{Citation|title=Labour India Educational Research Centre|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3AqMavhOgTI|language=en|access-date=2021-06-01}}</ref> In 1997, he decided to start a travelogue by travelling to different countries and the first episode of Sancharam was broadcast in Asianet in 2001. Santhosh launched the exploration channel Safari TV on 1 November 2013 and is its managing director.<ref name=":7" /><ref name=":3" /><ref name="safaritvabout">{{Cite web|title=SAFARI TV - ABOUT US|url=https://www.safaritvchannel.com/about.html|access-date=2021-01-21|website=www.safaritvchannel.com}}</ref> He is married and has two children.<ref name="toindia2007"/> In 2021, he was appointed as a "part-time expert member" of the [[Kerala State Planning Board]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Kerala State Planning Board reconstituted, VK Ramachandran to continue as Vice Chairperson|url=https://english.mathrubhumi.com/news/kerala/kerala-state-planning-board-reconstituted-vk-ramachandran-to-continue-as-vice-chairperson-kerala-1.5849255|access-date=2021-07-23|website=Mathrubhumi|language=en}}</ref>

== Travel ==
He is "Chief Explorer" of Safari TV, and the channel's signature programme, ''[[Sancharam (TV series)|Sancharam]]'', is shot, edited and directed by him.<ref name=":3" /><ref name="safaritvabout" /> It entered the Limca Book of Records as the "first visual travelogue in Malayalam".<ref>{{Cite web|date=2008-07-23|title=Limca Book of Records|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080723070223/http://www.limcabookofrecords.in/record_gallery.asp?sid=2626&catname=Television|access-date=2021-02-04|website = limcabookofrecords.in | via=web.archive.org}}</ref> As a solo traveller, he has visited several nations around the globe to showcase the history, culture traditions and nature of each destination. As of 2021, he had travelled through more than 130 countries and seven continents since he started his solo journeys outside India in 1997.<ref name="safaritvabout"/><ref name=":2" /><ref name=":6" /> The programme was initially telecasted by Asianet channel from 2001 to 2012.<ref name="safaritvabout"/>

== Space tourism ==
Described in some outlets as 'India's first space tourist',<ref name="toindia2007"/><ref name=":7"/><ref name=":1">{{Cite web|last=Singh|first=Sanghita|date=2007-03-15|title=Keralite to be India's first space tourist|url=https://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-keralite-to-be-india-s-first-space-tourist-1084939|access-date=2021-01-21|website=DNA India|language=en}}</ref> he was the first Indian included among a group of people who paid to make a suborbital trip in a spaceship as part of the [[Virgin Galactic]] space tourism initiative.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |author =Srinivas Laxman / TNN |title=First Indian space tourist touches down in Mumbai {{!}} Mumbai News - Times of India|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/First-Indian-space-tourist-touches-down-in-Mumbai/articleshow/3535536.cms|access-date=2021-01-21|website=The Times of India|language=en}}</ref> He was selected for the trip in early 2007,<ref name=":1"/><ref name=":0" /> and undertook a "zero gravity experience" later in 2007.<ref name=":6"/>

== Film ==
He has also directed and produced an English movie, Chandrayaan, based on the story of Chandrayaan-1, India first lunar probe. The movie portrayed the behind-the-scene activities of the mission which helped India earn a position in the exclusive 'Lunar Club'.<ref>{{Citation|last=Kulangara|first=Santhosh George|title=Chandrayaan|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1974232/|type=Drama, History, Sci-Fi|others=Sarath Kumar|access-date=2021-01-21}}</ref> The Rocket Assembly Building at Sriharikota, the Rocket Launch Pad, Mission Control Centre, Spacecraft Assembly Building, PSLV Rocket and Chandrayaan spacecraft were all recreated on the sets set up at the Labour India Film and TV studios for the purpose. The chief architects, who worked behind the actual Chandrayaan project, are the main characters of the film. Chandrayaan is "possibly the first science fiction movie made in Kerala".<ref>{{Cite web|title=‘Chandrayaan’ to hit screens after Onam|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/kochi/2011/aug/21/chandrayaan-to-hit-screens-after-onam-283159.html|access-date=2021-01-21|website=The New Indian Express}}</ref> Santhosh has also produced a number of tele films and documentaries which include Samayam, Acharya, Maluvinte Lokam and Krishnagatha.<ref>{{Cite news|date=19 May 2002|title= SundayMangalam2002May19page2 |page=2|work=santhoshgeorge.com|url=https://santhoshgeorge.com/images/media-new/SundayMangalam2002May19page2.jpg}}</ref>

== Awards and honours ==
Santhosh George Kulangara has won several awards, including the [[Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award for Travelogue|Kerala Sahitya Academi Award for Best Travelogue]] (2012),<ref name=2012award>[http://www.mathrubhumi.com/english/story.php?id=137916 "Jayachandran Nair and Santhosh Kumar get Sahithya academy award "] {{webarchive|url=https://www.webcitation.org/6I7b1wd5B?url=http://www.mathrubhumi.com/english/story.php?id=137916 |date=2013-07-15 }}. ''Mathrubhumi''. 11 July 2013. Retrieved 28 April 2014.</ref> an Asian Television Award,<ref name=":4" /> K.R. Narayanan Award (instituted by the K.R. Narayanan Foundation),<ref name=":4" /> Kerala Film Critics Award for the best Television programme director,<ref name=":5">{{Cite news|date=30 April 2005|title=Sancharam got RAPA National Award|page=12|work=santhoshgeorge.com|url=https://santhoshgeorge.com/images/media-new/Madhyamam2005April30page12.jpg}}</ref> and Yuva Pratibha Award for the year 2004 for his contributions to the field of television by the Indian Junior Chamber.<ref name=":4" /> Other awards include the Souparnikatheeram Mini Screen Award for the best director of non-fictional television programmes,<ref name=":5" /> Outstanding Young Indian National Award instituted by JCI India,<ref>{{Cite news|date=2 December 2005|title=Santosh George Kulangara got award|page=9|work=santhoshgeorge.com|url=https://santhoshgeorge.com/images/media-new/Mathrubhoomi2005December1page9.jpg }}</ref> Rotary Star of the Year 2007 award,<ref name=":4" /> All India RAPA Award instituted by Radio and TV Advertising Practitioners Association of India,<ref>{{Cite news|date=30 April 2005|title=Sancharam got RAPA National Award|page=9|work=santhoshgeorge.com|url=https://santhoshgeorge.com/images/media-new/Mathrubhoomi2005April30page9.jpg}}</ref> National Film Academy Award,<ref>{{Cite news|date=19 May 2004|title=Sancharam got two National Award|page=5|work=santhoshgeorge.com|url=https://santhoshgeorge.com/images/media-new/Deshabhimani2004May19page5.jpg}}</ref> Maniyeri Madhavan award in 2015,<ref>{{Cite news |date=2015-07-12|title=Maniyeri Madhavan awards presented|language=en-IN|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/maniyeri-madhavan-awards-presented/article7412983.ece|access-date=2021-02-23|issn=0971-751X}}</ref> Bahumukha Prathibha award at Flowers TV awards 2017<ref>{{Citation|title=Flowers TV Awards 2017 {{!}} Part 01|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LV3r2qoO-gc|language=en|access-date=2021-07-16}}</ref> and Kerala Catholic Bishops’ Council (KCBC) media awards for 2020-21.<ref>{{Cite news|others=Special Correspondent|date=2021-07-03|title=KCBC media awards announced|language=en-IN|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Kochi/kcbc-media-awards-announced/article35122394.ece|access-date=2021-07-12|issn=0971-751X}}</ref>

== Books ==
Santhosh George Kulangara has written seven books related to his travels and experiences around the world. These books are written in Malayalam.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web|title=Santhosh George Kulangara|url=https://english.mathrubhumi.com/mbifl2020/speakers/santhosh-george-kulangarasanthosh-george-kulangara-mbifl-2020-1.4471277|access-date=2021-02-23|website=Mathrubhumi|language=en}}</ref>
* ''Natashayude Varna Balloonukal'' (''The Colourful Balloons of Natasha''): A travelogue of his journey through parts of Northern Europe in winter.
* ''Oru Rabbiyude Chumbanangal'' (''The Kisses of a Rabbi''): Covering his journey through 50 countries, the people he met and his experiences.
* ''Ground Zeroyile Gayakan'' (''The Musician at Ground Zero''): Describing a journey through the US and Canada, reflecting on life after the 9/11 terror attack.
* ''Zero Gravity'': Describes his experience of zero gravity training in a specially designed aircraft at Kennedy Space Center.
* ''Baltic Diary'': A narrative of his journey through several Baltic countries, focusing on the changes in these countries after the fall of the Soviet Union.
* ''Keralaism'': Thoughts on how to implement 'progressive development concepts' in Kerala.<ref>{{Cite web|title=കേരളായിസം|url=http://keralaism.com/index.php|access-date=2021-06-01|website=keralaism.com|language=en}}</ref>
* ''Spacilekku oru train yatra'' (''A Journey To Space''): Describing the events that led to his decision to become a 'space tourist' and his various travel experiences.<ref name=":4" />

== References ==
{{reflist}}

== External links ==
{{Commons category|Santhosh George Kulangara}}
* {{Official website|http://santhoshgeorge.com/}}
*[https://youtube.com/channel/UCfyulcK9tP84epquAb460UQ YouTube Channel]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Kulangara}}
[[Category:Writers from Kerala]]
[[Category:People from Kottayam district]]
[[Category:1971 births]]
[[Category:Businesspeople from Kerala]]
[[Category:Indian publishers (people)]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Malayalam-language writers]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award]]
[[Category:Travel broadcasters]]
[[Category:Indian travel writers]]
[[Category:Travelers]]

Santhosh George Kulangara - Revision history

imported>Pachu Kannan: Undid revision 1037906614 by Pachu Kannan (talk) self revert.