BrandonGreenlee at 17:36, 29 August 2025

2025-08-29T17:36:30Z

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{{Short description|Indian politician (1901–1970)}}
{{Use Indian English|date=July 2016}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2016}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| name = George Thomas Kottukapally
| image =
| caption =
| birth_date = {{birth date |df=yes|1901|10|29}}
| birth_place = [[Pala, Kottayam]]
| death_date = {{death date |df=yes|1970|10|11}}
| death_cause = [[Heart attack]]
| alma_mater = Collin's Institute, Calcutta
| office = Member of Parliament for [[Muvattupuzha (Lok Sabha constituency)|Meenachil]]
| term_start = 1953
| term_end = 1957
| predecessor = [[P. T. Chacko]]
| successor = ''Constituency abolished''
| office1 = Member of Parliament for [[Muvattupuzha (Lok Sabha constituency)|Muvattupuzha]]
| parliament =
| majority =
| term_start1 = 1957
| term_end1 = 1962
| predecessor1 = ''New constituency''
| successor1 = [[Cherian J. Kappan]]
| residence = Pala, Kottayam
| occupation = Member of Parliament, Public intellectual, Planter, Philanthropist, Social Activist, former [[United Nations]] representative
| father = George Menamparambil
| mother = Kunjely Kottukapally
| spouse = Chechamma Thomas
| children = 9 sons and 4 daughters
| party = [[Indian National Congress]]

}}
{{Indian name|Thomas Kottukapally|George}}'''George Thomas Kottukapally''' of [[Pala, Kottayam, Kerala]], India (29 October 1901 – 11 October 1970), was a Member of Parliament,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.elections.in/parliamentary-constituencies/1957-election-results.html|title = 1957 India General (2nd Lok Sabha) Elections Results}}</ref> philanthropist, one of South India's largest plantation owners, public intellectual, an [[Indian independence activist]] and a member of the [[Indian National Congress]] including having taken part in the [[Indian Independence Movement]] through the [[Non co-operation movement]] in 1921.<ref>{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20150227185141/http://www.refocusindia.com/member-of-parliament-lok-sabha-profile-1526-Kottukapally,%20Shri%20George%C2%A0Thomas Bio-Data of George Thomas Kottukapally]}}</ref> Post India's Independence in 1947, Kottukapally was elected as the Municipal Chairman, a position equivalent to that of a Mayor for the municipal township of [[Pala, Kottayam]], [[Kerala]] which he held between 1948 and 1953.<ref>{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20150227185141/http://www.refocusindia.com/member-of-parliament-lok-sabha-profile-1526-Kottukapally,%20Shri%20George%C2%A0Thomas Bio-Data of George Thomas Kottukapally]}}</ref> Further, he was elected as an Indian [[Member of Parliament]] representing the [[Indian National Congress]] party in the [[1st Lok Sabha]] and the [[2nd Lok Sabha]] from 1953 till 1962<ref>{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20150227185141/http://www.refocusindia.com/member-of-parliament-lok-sabha-profile-1526-Kottukapally,%20Shri%20George%C2%A0Thomas Bio-Data of George Thomas Kottukapally]}}</ref> for the erst-while constituency of [[Muvattupuzha (Lok Sabha constituency)]] which consisted of the whole of [[Idukki]], parts of [[Kottayam]], [[Pathanamthitta]] and [[Chalakudy]]. He was also India's representative to the [[United Nations]] in Prime Minister [[Jawaharlal Nehru]]'s Delegation in 1958.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://164.100.47.194/loksabha/writereaddata/biodata_1_12/802.htm|title = Members Bioprofile}}</ref>

==Family History==
According to the local church's records and the family privately held manuscripts, the [[Kottukapally family]]'s origin lies in the traditionally held belief in which their ancestry is traced to a [[Brahmin]] family "Kottakkavu" from 52 AD, wherein members of the family converted and become members of the [[Kottakkavu Mar Thoma Syro-Malabar Pilgrim Church, North Paravur]], one among the seven Churches acknowledged as to be founded [[Thomas the Apostle]], one of the [[Twelve Apostles]] of [[Jesus Christ]].<ref>Feature on George Thomas Kottukapally on his demise, ''Malayalam Manorama Newspaper'', 1970</ref> The family name "Kottukapally" is traced as a derivative from the [[Brahmin]] family name "Kottakkavu" given that members from the Kottakkavu Illam converted to Christianity from the evangelical activity undertaken by [[Thomas the Apostle]].<ref>Feature on George Thomas Kottukapally on his demise, ''Malayalam Manorama Newspaper'', 1970</ref> The Kottukapally family ties with the township of [[Pala, Kottayam]] started in the 18th century, with the family having moved to Pala, Kottayam to start the trading market in pepper under the invitation of the Kartha, a local chieftain equivalent to that of a Duke, of [[Meenachil]].<ref>Feature on George Thomas Kottukapally on his demise, ''Malayalam Manorama Newspaper'', 1970</ref> As historical evidence, the family still has a part of their 280-year-old famed ancestral home or known as the Kottukapally [[Tharavad]] currently under the custodianship of George Thomas Kottukapally's youngest son John Thomas Kottukapally located in the heartland of Pala, Kottayam.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.cntraveller.com/recommended/tropical/five-stylish-kerala-homestays/page/the-kottukapally-family-home,-pala |title=Kottukapally Tharavad as covered by the Conde Nast Traveller Magazine |access-date=27 February 2015 |archive-date=2 April 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402171200/http://www.cntraveller.com/recommended/tropical/five-stylish-kerala-homestays/page/the-kottukapally-family-home,-pala |url-status=dead }}</ref> Thereby, in founding a pepper trading market, the Kottukapally family is considered as one of the founding families of modern Pala, Kottayam, of what is known as 'Angadi' Pala, Kottayam.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.cntraveller.com/recommended/tropical/five-stylish-kerala-homestays/page/the-kottukapally-family-home,-pala |title=Kottukapally Tharavad as covered by the Conde Nast Traveller Magazine |access-date=27 February 2015 |archive-date=2 April 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402171200/http://www.cntraveller.com/recommended/tropical/five-stylish-kerala-homestays/page/the-kottukapally-family-home,-pala |url-status=dead }}</ref> With this lineage, George Thomas Kottukapally's past, present and future were both inextricably linked such that his political, social and economic vision for Pala, Kottayam led him to be elected as the Chairman, a position equivalent to that of a [[Mayor]], for the Municipality of Pala, Kottayam which he held between 1948 and 1953.<ref>{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20150227185141/http://www.refocusindia.com/member-of-parliament-lok-sabha-profile-1526-Kottukapally,%20Shri%20George%C2%A0Thomas Bio-Data of George Thomas Kottukapally]}}</ref>

The Kottukapally family of Pala, Kottayam held a strong-hold in the political landscape of Pala, Kottayam wherein George Thomas Kottukapally's elder brother George Joseph Kottukapally was also an [[Indian independence activist]] and was twice elected as a Member of the [[Sree Moolam Popular Assembly]], the equivalent of being a Member of Parliament in the erst-while Kingdom of [[Travancore]] under the [[Maharaja of Travancore]].<ref>Feature on George Thomas Kottukapally on his demise, ''Malayalam Manorama Newspaper'', 1970</ref> Post George Thomas Kottukapally's demise, the next generation continued with his eldest son Joseph Thomas Kottukapally having stepped into providing leadership to the township of Pala, Kottayam by being the Municipal Chairman of Pala, Kottayam, an elected position which he held onto for 16-years.<ref>Feature on George Thomas Kottukapally in his Memory, ''Malayalam Manorama Newspaper'', 2012</ref>

==Social Contributions==
George Thomas Kottukapally's contributions as one of Kerala's earliest and leading [[philanthropist]], educationalist and a social contributor was highlighted by the former [[President of India]] [[A. P. J. Abdul Kalam]] in his speech while inaugurating the 62nd foundation day celebrations of [[St. Thomas College, Pala]] as well as to mark the 111th birth anniversary. . y of George Thomas Kottukappally in 2012 by stating "People of [[Kottayam]] are grateful to the gesture of 'Father' (being the financial sponsor and a co-founder) George Thomas Kottukapally in providing acres of land for the creation of this college in 1950s".<ref>[http://www.abdulkalam.com/kalam/jsp/display_content.jsp?menuid=28&menuname=Speeches%20/%20Lectures&linkid=68&linkname=Recent&content=2130&columnno=0&starts=0&menu_image=-&contentsForum=Address%20and%20interaction%20with%20the%20Students%20Foundation%20Day%20Celebrations%20of%20%20St%20Thomas%20College&titlename=null President of India Abdul Kalam's reflection on the contribution of George Thomas Kottukapally]</ref><ref>[http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Kochi/kalam-to-inaugurate-st-thomas-college-foundation-day-celebrations/article3858834.ece President APJ Kalam to inaugurate St. Thomas College, Pala's foundation day celebrations, ''The Hindu'']</ref> George Thomas Kottukapally's family ancestry and lineage, being a son of an ancient and prominent [[Syro-Malabar]] [[Saint Thomas Christian]] aristocratic Kottukapally family of Pala, Kottayam had deeply influenced his life, leading him to be a prominent supporter and as a key financial benefactor of the [[Saint Thomas Christian]] [[Syro-Malabar Catholic Church]] in Pala, Kottayam and the State of Kerala.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.cntraveller.com/recommended/tropical/five-stylish-kerala-homestays/page/the-kottukapally-family-home,-pala |title=Kottukapally Tharavad as covered by the Conde Nast Traveller Magazine |access-date=27 February 2015 |archive-date=2 April 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402171200/http://www.cntraveller.com/recommended/tropical/five-stylish-kerala-homestays/page/the-kottukapally-family-home,-pala |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20150227185141/http://www.refocusindia.com/member-of-parliament-lok-sabha-profile-1526-Kottukapally,%20Shri%20George%C2%A0Thomas Bio-Data of George Thomas Kottukapally]}}</ref><ref>Feature on George Thomas Kottukapally on his demise, ''Malayalam Manorama Newspaper'', 1970</ref> George Thomas Kottukapally's contributions in a personal capacity include having financially supported as well as in having provided the land for the establishment of the [[Bishop's House, Pala]], later leading to the formal establishment of the [[Syro-Malabar Eparchy of Pala]]. He also provided his personal land as well as the financing for the establishment of a set of Kerala's well-known university-level colleges which include [[St. Thomas College, Pala]] founded in 1950, [[Alphonsa College, Pala]] founded in 1964 and [[St. Thomas Teacher's Training College, Pala]] founded in 1957.<ref>[http://www.abdulkalam.com/kalam/jsp/display_content.jsp?menuid=28&menuname=Speeches%20/%20Lectures&linkid=68&linkname=Recent&content=2130&columnno=0&starts=0&menu_image=-&contentsForum=Address%20and%20interaction%20with%20the%20Students%20Foundation%20Day%20Celebrations%20of%20%20St%20Thomas%20College&titlename=null President of India Abdul Kalam's reflection on the contribution of George Thomas Kottukapally]</ref>

According to [[K. P. S. Menon (senior)]], India's first foreign secretary under Prime Minister [[Jawaharlal Nehru]], in a public foreword about Kottukapally's contributions, he acknowledged that Kottukapally as the Municipal Chairman from 1948 till 1953 was a 'key architect' and was one of the 'founding fathers' of the post-Independent Indian township of Pala, Kottayam stating that, "Not only Pala but all Kerala is indebted to Mr. Kottukapally for his services in the agricultural, industrial and banking fields. It was largely due to him and his tirelessly advocacy and his intercession with men at the top that the magnificent hydro-electric project in [[Idukki]] materialised".<ref>{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20150227185141/http://www.refocusindia.com/member-of-parliament-lok-sabha-profile-1526-Kottukapally,%20Shri%20George%C2%A0Thomas Bio-Data of George Thomas Kottukapally]}}</ref> Currently, economic-wise, the township and the region of Pala, Kottayam is ranked as one of the richest and most prosperous [[Syro-Malabar]] [[Saint Thomas Christian]] belt in the State of Kerala.

==Field of Banking==
In the field of banking, George Thomas Kottukapally held the position of being the President of the important and powerful lobby group [[Travancore-Cochin Bankers Association]] and was one of the key promoters and a director of [[Palai Central Bank]] founded in 1927, then the 17th largest among the 94 scheduled banks in India at its peak in 1960.<ref>[http://www.refocusindia.com/member-of-parliament-lok-sabha-profile-1526-Kottukapally,%2 0Shri%20George%C2%A0Thomas Bio-Data of George Thomas Kottukapally]{{dead link|date=May 2025|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> [[Palai Central Bank]] was also Kerala's largest and most important private enterprise after the State Government of Kerala.<ref>{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20150227185141/http://www.refocusindia.com/member-of-parliament-lok-sabha-profile-1526-Kottukapally,%20Shri%20George%C2%A0Thomas Bio-Data of George Thomas Kottukapally]}}</ref> But, in 1960, the [[Kerala High Court]] ordered the liquidation of [[Palai Central Bank]] on a petition from the Reserve Bank of India.<ref>History of the Reserve Bank of India - Volumes I & II - Oxford University Press</ref> That having said, in Volume II of the History of [[Reserve Bank of India]] covering the years 1951–1967, a 27-page appendix viz. "Appendix C: The Palai Central Bank" extensively covers the history of the Bank. The following is an extract: "While defending the Reserve Bank as 'one of the best central banks in the world' maintaining a 'high level of efficiency', the [[Prime Minister of India]] [[Jawaharlal Nehru]], was reported to have acknowledged that it may have made a 'mistake' in closing down the [[Palai Central Bank]]."<ref>[http://rbidocs.rbi.org.in/rdocs/content/PDFs/90044.pdf] The Palai Central Bank Appendix C</ref> In the field of commerce, industry and trade, George

==Planter and Agriculturist==
Thomas Kottukapally was one of South India's leading agriculture plantation owner-cum-investor-cum-industrialist having been the Managing Director and director of several cross-holding businesses, planting and banking companies such as Teekoy Rubbers (India) Ltd, Karikode Rubbers (1945) Ltd, Periyar & and Pareekanni Rubber Limited.<ref>{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20150227185141/http://www.refocusindia.com/member-of-parliament-lok-sabha-profile-1526-Kottukapally,%20Shri%20George%C2%A0Thomas Bio-Data of George Thomas Kottukapally]}}</ref>

Historically, the Kottukapally family is recorded as one of the largest land-holding families in the State of Kerala<ref>[http://kasargod.nic.in/land/surplusland/hosdurg/15/cheemeni.pdf State Government Kerala Record on George Thomas Kottukpally's holding in the village of Cheemeni Village, Kasargod, Kerala, India]</ref> while, currently, George Thomas Kottukapally though deceased, still continues to be ranked historically as one of the largest [[Christians|Christian]] landowners in the [[Indian sub-continent]].<ref>[http://kasargod.nic.in/land/surplusland/hosdurg/15/cheemeni.pdf State Government Kerala Record on George Thomas Kottukpally's holding in the village of Cheemeni Village, Kasargod, Kerala, India]</ref> Post his demise, the State Government of Kerala, India had appropriated a large part of his estates and land bank on the basis of surplus land of which included the [[Cheemeni]] Village in the district of [[Kasargod]], Kerala, India.<ref>[http://kasargod.nic.in/land/surplusland/hosdurg/15/cheemeni.pdf State Government Kerala Record on George Thomas Kottukpally's holding in the village of Cheemeni Village, Kasargod, Kerala, India]</ref>

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Kottukapally, George Thomas}}
[[Category:Lok Sabha members from Kerala]]
[[Category:1901 births]]
[[Category:1970 deaths]]
[[Category:People from Pala, Kerala]]
[[Category:Politicians from Kottayam district]]
[[Category:Indian National Congress politicians from Kerala]]
[[Category:Indian independence activists from Kerala]]
[[Category:India MPs 1957–1962]]
[[Category:India MPs 1952–1957]]

George Thomas Kottukapally - Revision history

BrandonGreenlee at 17:36, 29 August 2025