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{{EngvarB|date=August 2014}}
{{Short description|Indian politician and educationist}}
{{Use British English|date=August 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2014}}
{{Infobox officeholder
{{Infobox officeholder
|name        = Thomas Kallampally<!-- DO ''not'' ADD INDIC SCRIPTS-->
|name        = Thomas Kallampally<!-- DO ''not'' ADD INDIC SCRIPTS-->
| image = Thomas Kallampally.jpg
| image =  
| caption = Thomas Kallampally
| caption =  
|office      = [[Kerala Legislative Assembly|Member of Kerala Legislative Assembly]] for<br>[[Kanjirappally (State Assembly constituency)|Kanjirappally]]
|office      = [[Kerala Legislative Assembly|Member of Kerala Legislative Assembly]] for<br>[[Kanjirappally (State Assembly constituency)|Kanjirappally]]
|term_start3  = 25 January 1980
|term_start3  = 25 January 1980
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|website      = [http://www.partyanalyst.com/candidateElectionResultsAction.action?candidateId=52144 Kanjirappaly]
|website      = [http://www.partyanalyst.com/candidateElectionResultsAction.action?candidateId=52144 Kanjirappaly]
}}
}}
'''Thomas Kallampally''' (19 April 1953 – 27 February 2002) was a notable politician and educationist from [[Kanjirappally]], [[Kerala]]. He was born in Kanjirappally. He started Netaji Vayanasaala a library for the youth at Anakkal, Kanjirappally at the age of 18. He was elected as the State General Secretary of Kerala Students Congress, the students wing of [[Kerala Congress]] while doing his Law Degree at [[Government Law College, Ernakulam]]. He also served as the PTA president of St Antony's Public school from its inception till his demise.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.socialpulse.com/St_Antony_s_Public_School_Junior_College/profile/details | title=Shri Thomas Kallampally walks along with Governor of Kerala for the inauguration of St Antonys Public School | publisher=Social Plus | date=27 May 2014 | accessdate=28 May 2014}}</ref>
'''Thomas Kallampally''' (19 April 1953 – 27 February 2002) was a notable politician and educationist from [[Kanjirappally]], [[Kerala]]. He was born in Kanjirappally. He started Netaji Vayanasaala, a library for the youth, at Anakkal, Kanjirappally at the age of 18. He was elected as the State General Secretary of Kerala Students Congress, the students' wing of [[Kerala Congress]], while doing his Law Degree at [[Government Law College, Ernakulam]]. He also served as the PTA president of St Antony's Public school from its inception till his demise.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.socialpulse.com/St_Antony_s_Public_School_Junior_College/profile/details | title=Shri Thomas Kallampally walks along with Governor of Kerala for the inauguration of St Antonys Public School | publisher=Social Plus | date=27 May 2014 | accessdate=28 May 2014 | archive-date=12 August 2014 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140812210452/http://www.socialpulse.com/St_Antony_s_Public_School_Junior_College/profile/details | url-status=dead }}</ref>
Kallampally was also a member of Center for Human Resourced Development of State of Kerala and Kerala State Pollution Control Board. He was also a lead campaign manager for the Kerala Congress for various Lok Sabha elections. Kallampally holds the record of the second youngest MLA in the history of [[Kerala Legislative Assembly]] having elected to the Assembly at the age of 26.
Kallampally was also a member of Center for Human Resourced Development of State of Kerala and Kerala State Pollution Control Board. He was also a lead campaign manager for the Kerala Congress for various Lok Sabha elections. Kallampally holds the record of the second youngest MLA in the history of [[Kerala Legislative Assembly]] having elected to the Assembly at the age of 26.


==Early life and education==
==Early life and education==
Kallampally was born on 19 April 1953 in a family of agriculturists belonging to the [[Nasrani (India)|Nasrani]] community, in [[Kanjirappally]] in [[Kottayam district]] of [[Kerala]], India.<ref>{{cite news |last=eminent personalities|url=http://www.kanjirappally.com/eminent.htm |work=Eminent Personalities of Kanjirappally |title=Shri Thomas Kallampally is an eminent person of Kanjirappaly | publisher=Kanjirappaly.com|accessdate=2 April 2014}}</ref> as the second son of Mr K. M Joseph and Annamma. Thomas Kallampally's parents send him to the AKJM school since he was good at studies from an early age. At the age of 18, he organized the local youth at his hometown to start a Library in his ancestral property, which he named after Netaji [[Subhash Chandra Bose]]. After predegree at St. Dominics College, he joined [[St. Thomas College, Pala]] for his bachelor's degree in Botany. He was attracted to the students' politics of Kerala Students Congress and soon rose as a dynamic student leader. He then joined [[Government Law College, Ernakulam]]  for LLB. He had a brilliant academic career.<ref>{{cite news |last=Niyamasabha|url=http://www.niyamasabha.org/codes/members/m698.htm |work= Member of Kerala Legislative Assembly Thomas Kallampally|title=Shri Thomas Kallampally had a brilliant academic career | publisher=Niyamasabha.org|accessdate=18 August 2014}}</ref>
Kallampally was born on 19 April 1953 in a family of agriculturists belonging to the [[Nasrani (India)|Nasrani]] community, in [[Kanjirappally]] in [[Kottayam district]] of [[Kerala]], India.<ref>{{cite news |last=eminent personalities|url=http://www.kanjirappally.com/eminent.htm |work=Eminent Personalities of Kanjirappally |title=Shri Thomas Kallampally is an eminent person of Kanjirappaly | publisher=Kanjirappaly.com|accessdate=2 April 2014}}</ref> as the second son of Mr K. M Joseph and Annamma. Thomas Kallampally's parents send him to the AKJM school since he was good at studies from an early age. At the age of 18, he organized the local youth at his hometown to start a library in his ancestral property, which he named after Netaji [[Subhash Chandra Bose]]. After predegree at St. Dominics College, he joined [[St. Thomas College, Pala]] for his bachelor's degree in botany. He was attracted to the students' politics of Kerala Students Congress and soon rose as a dynamic student leader. He then joined [[Government Law College, Ernakulam]]  for LLB. He had a brilliant academic career.<ref>{{cite news |last=Niyamasabha|url=http://www.niyamasabha.org/codes/members/m698.htm |work= Member of Kerala Legislative Assembly Thomas Kallampally|title=Shri Thomas Kallampally had a brilliant academic career | publisher=Niyamasabha.org|accessdate=18 August 2014}}</ref>


==Early political career==
==Early political career==
Kallampally became a member of the Kerala Congress during his student days. He was elected as the district president of Kerala Students Congress,<ref>{{cite web|last1=Kallampally|first1=Thomas|title=Kallampally District President of KSC|url=http://www.niyamasabha.org/codes/members/m698.htm|website=Niyamasabha.org|publisher=Niyamasabha.org|accessdate=18 August 2014}}</ref> the student wing of the Kerala Congress. Due to his dynamic leadership and flamboyant oratory skills, he was soon elected as the state general secretary of Kerala Students Congress under Mr P. M. Mathew as the state president.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Kallampally|first1=Thomas|title=Kallampally State General Secretary of KSC|url=http://www.niyamasabha.org/codes/members/m698.htm|website=Niyamasabha.org|publisher=Niyamasabha.org|accessdate=18 August 2014}}</ref> Kallampally led a foot protest march of KSC from Kasargod to Parasala against the anti-student policies of the government. He was the only leader to walk the entire 600+ kilo meters with his President. He was asked to contest the panchayat elections in Parathodu and he won the election to be the member of Parathodu panchayat.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Kallampally|first1=Thomas|title=Kallampally won Parathodu Panchayat elections|url=http://www.niyamasabha.org/codes/members/m698.htm|website=Niyamasabha.org|publisher=Niyamasabha.org|accessdate=18 August 2014}}</ref> He worked briefly as a lawyer in [[High Court of Kerala]].
Kallampally became a member of the Kerala Congress during his student days. He was elected as the district president of Kerala Students Congress,<ref>{{cite web|last1=Kallampally|first1=Thomas|title=Kallampally District President of KSC|url=http://www.niyamasabha.org/codes/members/m698.htm|website=Niyamasabha.org|accessdate=18 August 2014}}</ref> the student wing of the Kerala Congress. Due to his dynamic leadership and flamboyant oratory skills, he was soon elected as the state general secretary of Kerala Students Congress under Mr P. M. Mathew as the state president.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Kallampally|first1=Thomas|title=Kallampally State General Secretary of KSC|url=http://www.niyamasabha.org/codes/members/m698.htm|website=Niyamasabha.org|accessdate=18 August 2014}}</ref> Kallampally led a foot protest march of KSC from Kasargod to Parasala against the anti-student policies of the government. He was the only leader to walk the entire 600+ kilometers with his president. He was asked to contest the panchayat elections in Parathodu and he won the election to be the member of Parathodu panchayat.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Kallampally|first1=Thomas|title=Kallampally won Parathodu Panchayat elections|url=http://www.niyamasabha.org/codes/members/m698.htm|website=Niyamasabha.org|accessdate=18 August 2014}}</ref> He worked briefly as a lawyer in [[High Court of Kerala]].


==MLA of Kanjirappally==
==MLA of Kanjirappally==
In 1980 Kallampally contested for the Legislative Assembly from [[Kanjirappally (State Assembly constituency)|Kanjirappally]] as the Kerala Congress candidate. He defeated Joseph Varanam.<ref>{{cite news |last=Kerala Assembly Election Results 1980 Kanjirappally|url=http://www.empoweringindia.org/new/constituency.aspx?eid=586&cid=87 |work=Kanjirappally Election 1980 |title=Thomas Kallampally (KCM) elected | publisher=empoweringindia.org|accessdate=14 August 2014}}</ref> Under the leadership of Kallampally, there were many development initiatives like roads, bridges, drinking water schemes and schools that was brought in Kanjirappally. He was subsequently re-elected in 1982 when he defeated Mr Mustafa Kamal by a margin of 8437 votes.<ref>{{cite news |last=Kerala Assembly Election Results 1982 Kanjirappally|url=http://keralaassembly.org/1982/1982087.html|work=Kanjirappally Election 1982 |title=Thomas Kallampally (KCM) elected by a margin of 8437 votes| publisher=keralaassembly.org|accessdate=14 August 2014}}</ref> He made a mark both inside and outside the Kerala Legislative Assembly with his oratory. He could use both a forensic style and a more flamboyant grand style with ease depending on the situation. A development roadmap was put forth for constituency which he chased professionally to bring the development initiatives. He remained in office until 1987 elections and was known for exceptional development works that he brought in the constituency.
In 1980 Kallampally contested for the Legislative Assembly from [[Kanjirappally (State Assembly constituency)|Kanjirappally]] as the Kerala Congress candidate. He defeated Joseph Varanam.<ref>{{cite news |last=Kerala Assembly Election Results 1980 Kanjirappally|url=http://www.empoweringindia.org/new/constituency.aspx?eid=586&cid=87 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140814082006/http://www.empoweringindia.org/new/constituency.aspx?eid=586&cid=87 |url-status=usurped |archive-date=14 August 2014 |work=Kanjirappally Election 1980 |title=Thomas Kallampally (KCM) elected | publisher=empoweringindia.org|accessdate=14 August 2014}}</ref> Under the leadership of Kallampally, there were many development initiatives like roads, bridges, drinking water schemes and schools that was brought in Kanjirappally. He was subsequently re-elected in 1982 when he defeated Mr Mustafa Kamal by a margin of 8437 votes.<ref>{{cite news |last=Kerala Assembly Election Results 1982 Kanjirappally|url=http://keralaassembly.org/1982/1982087.html|work=Kanjirappally Election 1982 |title=Thomas Kallampally (KCM) elected by a margin of 8437 votes| publisher=keralaassembly.org|accessdate=14 August 2014}}</ref> He made a mark both inside and outside the Kerala Legislative Assembly with his oratory. He could use both a forensic style and a more flamboyant grand style with ease depending on the situation. A development roadmap was put forth for constituency which he chased professionally to bring the development initiatives. He remained in office until 1987 elections and was known for exceptional development works that he brought in the constituency.


===1987 Election===
===1987 Election===
1987 saw a lot of political polarization in Kerala. Kerala Congress was split just before the elections under [[P. J. Joseph]] and [[K. M. Mani]]. Kallampally's effort to avoid the split turned futile. Meanwhile, George J Mathew, another leader from Kerala Congress and earlier [[Member of Parliament]] from the Lok Sabha constituency was at odds with Kerala Congress, decided to contest the legislative elections from [[Kanjirappally (State Assembly constituency)|Kanjirappally]] against Kallampally. Both these developments caused the split in the [[United Democratic Front (India)|United Democratic Front]] votes. In the triangular contest, Kallampally was defeated and Mr KJ Thomas of the [[Communist Party of India (Marxist)]] won.
1987 saw a lot of political polarization in Kerala. Kerala Congress was split just before the elections under [[P. J. Joseph]] and [[K. M. Mani]]. Kallampally's effort to avoid the split turned futile. Meanwhile, [[George J. Mathew|George J Mathew]], another leader from Kerala Congress and earlier [[Member of Parliament]] from the Lok Sabha constituency was at odds with Kerala Congress, decided to contest the legislative elections from [[Kanjirappally (State Assembly constituency)|Kanjirappally]] against Kallampally. Both these developments caused the split in the [[United Democratic Front (Kerala)|United Democratic Front]] votes. In the triangular contest, Kallampally was defeated and Mr KJ Thomas of the [[Communist Party of India (Marxist)]] won.
[[File:Thomas Kallampally at St Antonys College.jpg|thumb|right|Kallampally at St Antony's College Function]]
[[File:Thomas Kallampally at St Antonys College.jpg|thumb|right|Kallampally at St Antony's College Function]]
[[File:Thomas Kallampally at St Antonys School.jpg|thumb|right|Kallampally at St Antony's School Annual Day]]
[[File:Young Kallampally as MLA.jpg|thumb|right|Young Kallampally as MLA]]
[[File:Young Kallampally as MLA.jpg|thumb|right|Young Kallampally as MLA]]


==Education Initiatives==
==Education Initiatives==
Kallampally worked as a lawyer after the 1987 election. He spent a lot of his time on education initiatives around Kanjirappally apart from legal career and politics. He worked with the parish priests of Anakkal church to start the St Antony's Public School and Junior College in 1988. Initially the school was set up as an English medium school affiliated to the state syllabus. But the state government under [[E. K. Nayanar]].<ref>{{cite web|last1=EK|first1=Nayanar|title=EK Nayanar- Chief Minister from 1987 - 1991 in Kerala|url=http://www.keralaassembly.org/min87.html|website=www.keralaassembly.org|publisher=KLA|accessdate=19 August 2014}}</ref> ordered to cancel the newly setup English medium schools as per the policy of the LDF government. Kallampally decided to pursue a CBSE affiliation to the school on the advice of the then education minister K. Chandrasekharan.<ref>{{cite web|last1=K|first1=Chandrashekharan|title=K Chandrashekaran - Education Minister from 1987 - 1991 in Kerala|url=http://www.keralaassembly.org/min87.html|website=www.keralaassembly.org|publisher=KLA|accessdate=19 August 2014}}</ref> It was a time when CBSE schools where unknown in the central Travancore area and CBSE schools at Yercaud and Ootty was the privilege of the elite rich planters. Kallampally realized that a CBSE school was the best way to attain his objective to give the poor people of Kanjirappaly an affordable opportunity to have quality education on par with international standards. In 1988, after his continuous effort, visits to Delhi, meetings with the then Chairman of [[Central Board of Secondary Education]] (CBSE), H. S Sinha{{citation needed|date=January 2016}} and an inspection from a high power committee, CBSE affiliation was granted to the school.<ref>{{cite web|title=St Antonys Public School started in 1988|url=http://saps.ac.in/|website=saps.ac.in/|publisher=SAPS}}</ref> St Antony's Public School and Junior College has since then grown to be one of the best schools in the State of Kerala.  Kallampally was part of the Managing Council and played an intense role from selection of staff, laying down policies, aiding the principal in day-to-day administration challenges to spearheading the larger development initiatives of the school.<br>In 1991, he founded St Antony's College along with few other volunteers in Kanjirappaly with an aim to provide better higher education to the people around Kanjirappally. It was a time when computers were unknown in the area. St Antony's College was the first institution in the central Travancore area to provide DOEACC recognized A Level courses in computer science. He served as the Principal of St Antony's College until his death.
Kallampally worked as a lawyer after the 1987 election. He spent a lot of his time on education initiatives around Kanjirappally apart from legal career and politics. He worked with the parish priests of Anakkal church to start the St Antony's Public School and Junior College in 1988. Initially the school was set up as an English medium school affiliated to the state syllabus. But the state government under [[E. K. Nayanar]].<ref>{{cite web|last1=EK|first1=Nayanar|title=EK Nayanar- Chief Minister from 1987 - 1991 in Kerala|url=http://www.keralaassembly.org/min87.html|website=www.keralaassembly.org|publisher=KLA|accessdate=19 August 2014}}</ref> ordered to cancel the newly setup English medium schools as per the policy of the LDF government. Kallampally decided to pursue a CBSE affiliation to the school on the advice of the then education minister K. Chandrasekharan.<ref>{{cite web|last1=K|first1=Chandrashekharan|title=K Chandrashekaran - Education Minister from 1987 - 1991 in Kerala|url=http://www.keralaassembly.org/min87.html|website=www.keralaassembly.org|publisher=KLA|accessdate=19 August 2014}}</ref> It was a time when CBSE schools were unknown in the central Travancore area and CBSE schools at Yercaud and Ootty was the privilege of the elite rich planters. Kallampally realized that a CBSE school was the best way to attain his objective to give the poor people of Kanjirappaly an affordable opportunity to have quality education on par with international standards. In 1988, after his continuous effort, visits to Delhi, meetings with the then Chairman of [[Central Board of Secondary Education]] (CBSE), H. S Sinha{{citation needed|date=January 2016}} and an inspection from a high power committee, CBSE affiliation was granted to the school.<ref>{{cite web|title=St Antonys Public School started in 1988|url=http://saps.ac.in/|website=saps.ac.in/|publisher=SAPS}}</ref> St Antony's Public School and Junior College has since then grown to be one of the best schools in the State of Kerala.  Kallampally was part of the Managing Council and played an intense role from selection of staff, laying down policies, aiding the principal in day-to-day administration challenges to spearheading the larger development initiatives of the school.<br>In 1991, he founded St Antony's College along with few other volunteers in Kanjirappaly with an aim to provide better higher education to the people around Kanjirappally. It was a time when computers were unknown in the area. St Antony's College was the first institution in the central Travancore area to provide DOEACC recognized A Level courses in computer science. He served as the Principal of St Antony's College until his death.


==Personal life and family==
==Personal life and family==
He married Thresikutty Mathew, a teacher by profession, on 26 September 1982 while he was an MLA. She retired as the principal of St. Dominic's Higher Secondary School in Kanjirapally. They have four sons - Subhash Chandra Jose, an engineer, working as head of Change Management, ING Spain; Mohan Roy Mathews, a lawyer, working with Housing Development Finance Corporation; Vivek Anand T Kallampally, an engineer, working with Microsoft, Bengaluru and Ashok T Kallampally, an architect who is running his own firm Habiqube Architecture Studio.
He married Thresikutty Mathew, a teacher by profession, on 26 September 1982 while he was an MLA. She retired as the principal of St. Dominic's Higher Secondary School in Kanjirapally. They have four sons - Subhash Chandra Jose, an engineer, working as Managing Director - Information Technology, European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), UK; Mohan Roy Mathews, a lawyer, working with Maatrum Technologies and Legal Ventures as their state legal head, Kerala; Vivek Anand T Kallampally, an engineer, working with Microsoft, Bengaluru and Ashok T Kallampally, an architect who is running his own firm Habiqube Architecture Studio.


==Personality and image==
==Personality and image==
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* [http://www.niyamasabha.org/codes/members/m698.htm Thomas Kallampally Page in Niyamasabha.org]
* [http://www.niyamasabha.org/codes/members/m698.htm Thomas Kallampally Page in Niyamasabha.org]
* [http://www.indiavotes.com/ac/details/28/5180/35 1980 Kanjirappaly Election Results]
* [http://www.indiavotes.com/ac/details/28/5180/35 1980 Kanjirappaly Election Results]
* [http://www.socialpulse.com/St_Antony_s_Public_School_Junior_College/profile/details SAPS and Kallampally from the Social Plus]
* [http://www.socialpulse.com/St_Antony_s_Public_School_Junior_College/profile/details SAPS and Kallampally from the Social Plus] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140812210452/http://www.socialpulse.com/St_Antony_s_Public_School_Junior_College/profile/details |date=12 August 2014 }}
* [http://www.indiavotes.com/ac/allcabdidateparty?stateac=28&emid=35&party=87 Collected news and commentary at India Votes]
* [http://www.indiavotes.com/ac/allcabdidateparty?stateac=28&emid=35&party=87 Collected news and commentary at India Votes]
* [http://www.elections.in/kerala/assembly-constituencies/kanjirappally.html Collected news and commentary at Elections In]
* [http://www.elections.in/kerala/assembly-constituencies/kanjirappally.html Collected news and commentary at Elections In]
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[[Category:1953 births]]
[[Category:1953 births]]
[[Category:Indian Christians]]
[[Category:Indian Christians]]
[[Category:Members of the Kerala Legislative Assembly]]
[[Category:Kerala MLAs 1980–1982]]
[[Category:People from Kottayam district]]
[[Category:People from Kottayam district]]
[[Category:2002 deaths]]
[[Category:2002 deaths]]
[[Category:Malayali politicians]]
[[Category:Malayali politicians]]
[[Category:Indian National Congress politicians from Kerala]]
[[Category:Indian National Congress politicians from Kerala]]
[[Category:Kerala MLAs 1982–1987]]

Latest revision as of 00:14, 26 March 2026


Thomas Kallampally
Member of Kerala Legislative Assembly for
Kanjirappally
In office
25 January 1980 – 25 March 1987[1]
Preceded byKV Kurien
Succeeded byKJ Thomas[1]
Personal details
Born
Joseph Thomas Kallampally

19 April 1953
Kanjirappally, Travancore-Cochin, India
Died27 February 2002 (aged 48)
Kanjirappally, Kerala, India
NationalityIndian
Political partyKerala Congress
Spouse(s)Thresikutty Thomas
ChildrenSubhash Chandra Jose
Mohan Roy Mathews
Vivek Anand T Kallampally
Ashok T Kallampally
Alma materSt. Thomas College, Pala
Government Law College, Ernakulam
Mahatma Gandhi University
WebsiteKanjirappaly

Thomas Kallampally (19 April 1953 – 27 February 2002) was a notable politician and educationist from Kanjirappally, Kerala. He was born in Kanjirappally. He started Netaji Vayanasaala, a library for the youth, at Anakkal, Kanjirappally at the age of 18. He was elected as the State General Secretary of Kerala Students Congress, the students' wing of Kerala Congress, while doing his Law Degree at Government Law College, Ernakulam. He also served as the PTA president of St Antony's Public school from its inception till his demise.[2] Kallampally was also a member of Center for Human Resourced Development of State of Kerala and Kerala State Pollution Control Board. He was also a lead campaign manager for the Kerala Congress for various Lok Sabha elections. Kallampally holds the record of the second youngest MLA in the history of Kerala Legislative Assembly having elected to the Assembly at the age of 26.

Early life and education[edit | edit source]

Kallampally was born on 19 April 1953 in a family of agriculturists belonging to the Nasrani community, in Kanjirappally in Kottayam district of Kerala, India.[3] as the second son of Mr K. M Joseph and Annamma. Thomas Kallampally's parents send him to the AKJM school since he was good at studies from an early age. At the age of 18, he organized the local youth at his hometown to start a library in his ancestral property, which he named after Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose. After predegree at St. Dominics College, he joined St. Thomas College, Pala for his bachelor's degree in botany. He was attracted to the students' politics of Kerala Students Congress and soon rose as a dynamic student leader. He then joined Government Law College, Ernakulam for LLB. He had a brilliant academic career.[4]

Early political career[edit | edit source]

Kallampally became a member of the Kerala Congress during his student days. He was elected as the district president of Kerala Students Congress,[5] the student wing of the Kerala Congress. Due to his dynamic leadership and flamboyant oratory skills, he was soon elected as the state general secretary of Kerala Students Congress under Mr P. M. Mathew as the state president.[6] Kallampally led a foot protest march of KSC from Kasargod to Parasala against the anti-student policies of the government. He was the only leader to walk the entire 600+ kilometers with his president. He was asked to contest the panchayat elections in Parathodu and he won the election to be the member of Parathodu panchayat.[7] He worked briefly as a lawyer in High Court of Kerala.

MLA of Kanjirappally[edit | edit source]

In 1980 Kallampally contested for the Legislative Assembly from Kanjirappally as the Kerala Congress candidate. He defeated Joseph Varanam.[8] Under the leadership of Kallampally, there were many development initiatives like roads, bridges, drinking water schemes and schools that was brought in Kanjirappally. He was subsequently re-elected in 1982 when he defeated Mr Mustafa Kamal by a margin of 8437 votes.[9] He made a mark both inside and outside the Kerala Legislative Assembly with his oratory. He could use both a forensic style and a more flamboyant grand style with ease depending on the situation. A development roadmap was put forth for constituency which he chased professionally to bring the development initiatives. He remained in office until 1987 elections and was known for exceptional development works that he brought in the constituency.

1987 Election[edit | edit source]

1987 saw a lot of political polarization in Kerala. Kerala Congress was split just before the elections under P. J. Joseph and K. M. Mani. Kallampally's effort to avoid the split turned futile. Meanwhile, George J Mathew, another leader from Kerala Congress and earlier Member of Parliament from the Lok Sabha constituency was at odds with Kerala Congress, decided to contest the legislative elections from Kanjirappally against Kallampally. Both these developments caused the split in the United Democratic Front votes. In the triangular contest, Kallampally was defeated and Mr KJ Thomas of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) won.

Kallampally at St Antony's College Function
Young Kallampally as MLA

Education Initiatives[edit | edit source]

Kallampally worked as a lawyer after the 1987 election. He spent a lot of his time on education initiatives around Kanjirappally apart from legal career and politics. He worked with the parish priests of Anakkal church to start the St Antony's Public School and Junior College in 1988. Initially the school was set up as an English medium school affiliated to the state syllabus. But the state government under E. K. Nayanar.[10] ordered to cancel the newly setup English medium schools as per the policy of the LDF government. Kallampally decided to pursue a CBSE affiliation to the school on the advice of the then education minister K. Chandrasekharan.[11] It was a time when CBSE schools were unknown in the central Travancore area and CBSE schools at Yercaud and Ootty was the privilege of the elite rich planters. Kallampally realized that a CBSE school was the best way to attain his objective to give the poor people of Kanjirappaly an affordable opportunity to have quality education on par with international standards. In 1988, after his continuous effort, visits to Delhi, meetings with the then Chairman of Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), H. S Sinha[citation needed] and an inspection from a high power committee, CBSE affiliation was granted to the school.[12] St Antony's Public School and Junior College has since then grown to be one of the best schools in the State of Kerala. Kallampally was part of the Managing Council and played an intense role from selection of staff, laying down policies, aiding the principal in day-to-day administration challenges to spearheading the larger development initiatives of the school.
In 1991, he founded St Antony's College along with few other volunteers in Kanjirappaly with an aim to provide better higher education to the people around Kanjirappally. It was a time when computers were unknown in the area. St Antony's College was the first institution in the central Travancore area to provide DOEACC recognized A Level courses in computer science. He served as the Principal of St Antony's College until his death.

Personal life and family[edit | edit source]

He married Thresikutty Mathew, a teacher by profession, on 26 September 1982 while he was an MLA. She retired as the principal of St. Dominic's Higher Secondary School in Kanjirapally. They have four sons - Subhash Chandra Jose, an engineer, working as Managing Director - Information Technology, European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), UK; Mohan Roy Mathews, a lawyer, working with Maatrum Technologies and Legal Ventures as their state legal head, Kerala; Vivek Anand T Kallampally, an engineer, working with Microsoft, Bengaluru and Ashok T Kallampally, an architect who is running his own firm Habiqube Architecture Studio.

Personality and image[edit | edit source]

Kallampally had a frugal lifestyle and was a workaholic. In spite of his academic and political success, he lived an exceptionally simple life. He stayed away from controversies his whole lifetime. He had exemplary oratory skills and was known as the 'Roaring Lion of Kerala' due to his style of speech. He could speak for hours on any subject concerning the state of Kerala or even international matters of relevance. He was referred by the media as the most ego less politician in Kerala politics. Kallampally was easily accessible to the people, travelled in KSRTC buses, mingled freely with the poor and favored anyone in need above political affiliations, which earned him a unique position among the people of Kanjirappally.

References[edit | edit source]

Notes

Citations

  1. 1.0 1.1 Kanjirappaly, Elections. "Thomas Kallampally term in Office". eci.nic.in. Election Commission Analysis. Retrieved 18 August 2014.
  2. "Shri Thomas Kallampally walks along with Governor of Kerala for the inauguration of St Antonys Public School". Social Plus. 27 May 2014. Archived from the original on 12 August 2014. Retrieved 28 May 2014.
  3. eminent personalities. "Shri Thomas Kallampally is an eminent person of Kanjirappaly". Eminent Personalities of Kanjirappally. Kanjirappaly.com. Retrieved 2 April 2014.
  4. Niyamasabha. "Shri Thomas Kallampally had a brilliant academic career". Member of Kerala Legislative Assembly Thomas Kallampally. Niyamasabha.org. Retrieved 18 August 2014.
  5. Kallampally, Thomas. "Kallampally District President of KSC". Niyamasabha.org. Retrieved 18 August 2014.
  6. Kallampally, Thomas. "Kallampally State General Secretary of KSC". Niyamasabha.org. Retrieved 18 August 2014.
  7. Kallampally, Thomas. "Kallampally won Parathodu Panchayat elections". Niyamasabha.org. Retrieved 18 August 2014.
  8. Kerala Assembly Election Results 1980 Kanjirappally. "Thomas Kallampally (KCM) elected". Kanjirappally Election 1980. empoweringindia.org. Archived from the original on 14 August 2014. Retrieved 14 August 2014.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  9. Kerala Assembly Election Results 1982 Kanjirappally. "Thomas Kallampally (KCM) elected by a margin of 8437 votes". Kanjirappally Election 1982. keralaassembly.org. Retrieved 14 August 2014.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  10. EK, Nayanar. "EK Nayanar- Chief Minister from 1987 - 1991 in Kerala". www.keralaassembly.org. KLA. Retrieved 19 August 2014.
  11. K, Chandrashekharan. "K Chandrashekaran - Education Minister from 1987 - 1991 in Kerala". www.keralaassembly.org. KLA. Retrieved 19 August 2014.
  12. "St Antonys Public School started in 1988". saps.ac.in/. SAPS.

External links[edit | edit source]