List of people from Pala

Notable people from Palai include:

Politicians

• K. R. Narayanan, President of India (1997–2002), Vice-President of India (1992–97).
• K M Mani, Minister of Finance, Revenue, Laws, Kerala State.
• Jose K. Mani Member of Indian Parliament - Lok Sabha (2010-Continuing).
• N M Joseph, Minister of Forests, Kerala State (1987–91)
• M M Jacob, Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha) (1981-1993), Deputy Chairman of Rajya Sabha (1986–87), Union Minister of Parliamentary Affairs, Home (1987–93), State Governor of Meghalaya (1995–2007).
• Kidangoor Gopalakrishna Pillai, General Secretary of NSS (1967 onwards) and Indian High-Commissioner to Singapore (1992 onwards).
• P K Vasudevan Nair, Member of Parliament, Chief Minister of Kerala State.
• K M Chandy, State Governor (1982–89), President of Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (I).
• Cherian J. Kappan, Freedom Fighter, Member of Indian Parliament - Lok Sabha (1962–67). Municipal Chairman.
• George Thomas Kottukapally, Member of Indian Parliament - Lok Sabha (1957–62), U.N. Delegate.
• R V Thomas, President (Speaker) of Travancore State Legislative Assembly (1947–49).
• Dr P J Thomas, Member of Madras Legislative Council, 1937–42 and Member of Indian Parliament - Rajya Sabha 1957-62.
• Ulahannan Ulahannan Vadakkan, Member of Sree Moolam Popular Assembly of Travancore State (1912–31).
• J Thomas Kayalackakom, Member of Sree Moolam Popular Assembly of Travancore State (1922–28).

Literature, education and social service

• Aryambika S. V., Malayalam poet.
• Paremmakkal Thoma Kathanar: Author of "Varthamana Pusthakam", the first travelogue in an Indian language.
• Ramapurathu Warrier - Poet (Kuchelavritham).
• Kattakayam Cherian Mappillai (1859–1936) - Author of Sri Yesu Vijayam (1926) & Editor of Vijnaana Rathnaakaram (1913)
• Pala Narayanan Nair, poet, teacher, most celebrated work 'keralam valarunnu'
• Pravithanam PM Devasia, poet
• Lalithambika Antharjanam, novelist
• Fr. Abel Periapuram, Founder of Kalabhavan.
• Paul Zacharia, writer & columnist
• Ezhacherry Ramachandran, poet
• Bishop Sebastian Vayalil, Founder of St. Thomas College
• Cyriac Thomas, former Vice Chancellor

Government and administration

• V. Joseph Thomas IPS, Director General of Police, Kerala.
• V. J. Kurian IAS, Addl. Chief Secretary to Govt. of Kerala. Managing Director of the World's First Solar Powered Airport
• B. Sandhya IPS, writer and police officer.

Sports

• Col. G.V. Raja, sports promoter
• M D Valsamma, athletics, Asian Games Gold Medalist
• Mani C. Kappan international volleyball player

Commerce and industry

• Joseph Augusti Kayalackakom (1884–1968) - Managing Director of Palai Central Bank.
• Varkey Ouseph Vellookunnel

-Founder Director of Palai Central Bank.

Movies

• Bhadran, movie director
• Miss Kumari, Malayalam actress in leading roles
• Suvarna Mathew, actress
• Ponnamma Babu, actress
• Pala Thankam, actress
• Miya (Gimi George), actress
• Mani C. Kappan, director, producer, actor
• Rimi Tomy, singer
• Meenakshi Anoop, actress
• Listin Stephen, film producer

Journalists

• Jose Panachippuram, associate editor, Malayala Manorama daily
• Eby J Jose, editor, Gulf Life magazine

References