Kerala History after Independence (1956 - 2000)

AD 1956: Kerala State is formed in November 1st 1956.

AD 1956: Kerala High Court established in November 1.

AD 1956: B Ramakrishna Rao became the first Governor of Kerala in November 20.

AD 1956: Thomas Mundassery started Current Books in Thrissur.

AD 1957: Palakkad, Kozhikode and Thrissur districts formed.

AD 1957: First General Election. LDF (Communist) got lead in the February – March General Election. Kerala Legislative Council with 126 elected members came into existence. EMS became the first chief minister of Kerala in April 5. It was also for the first time, communist came to power in a state in India. Under this LDF government, there are 11 ministers including 3 independent ministers.

AD 1957: Kerala Cabinet introduced Kudiyozhippikkal Ordinance. (April 11).

AD 1957: Alappuzha District came to existence. (August 17).

AD 1957: Niyamasabha passed the ordinance of Education bill in September 2 presented by Education Minister, Joseph Mundassery.

AD 1957: Medical College in Kozhikode (October 1).

AD 1957: Travancore University is renamed to Kerala University.

AD 1957: Establishment of KSEB (October 31).

AD 1958: Mahakavi Vallathil died (March 13).

AD 1958: Ernakulam District came into existence. (April 1).

AD 1958: Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Academy established in Thrissur. (April 26)

AD 1958: Neyyar, Peechi Vazhani Wildlife Sanctuary centers came into existence.

AD 1959: Anna Chandy became the judge of Kerala High Court and is the first women to occupy this position in India. (February 6)

AD 1959: The Liberation Struggle (Vimochana Samaram) against the EMS led Communist Government. As a result, President rule started in the State for the second time.

AD 1959: Kerala Karshaka Sangham founded.

AD 1960: Kerala Panchayat Raj established and is inaugurated by Jawahar Lal Nehru in January 18.

AD 1960: Sri. V.V. Giri appointed Governor of Kerala.

AD 1960: Congress – PSP led Government came to power as a result of General Election in 1960. Pattom Thanu Pillai became the Chief Minister in February 22nd. Thus Thanu Pillai became the only chief minister who led Travancore, Thiru-Kochi and the Kerala Government and also the only chief minister in Kerala history, who born in the Nineteenth Century.

AD 1960: Vardhakya Pension introduced.

AD 1961: President accepted Kerala Karshika Boobhanda Bill in January 21.

AD 1961: Power House in Neriyamangalam. (April 12)

AD 1961: Kerala State Industrial Development Corporation established. (June 21)

AD 1961: Kerala Postal Circle established. (July 1)

AD 1962: Kerala Panchayat Act came into existence in 1960.

AD 1962: Guruvayoor Township established in January 26.

AD 1962: Kerala Sastra Sahitya Parishad established in Kozhikode. First president was Dr K Bhaskaran Nair, Vice president was Konniyoor Narendranath, and Secretary is JK Adiyodi and the Khajanji NV.Krishna Warrior.

AD 1962: Pattom Thanu Pillai resigned due to verbal argument against Congress Leaders. He is then appointed as Governor of Punjab. In the same year, R Sankar became the Chief Minister of Kerala in September 26. He is the first Congress chief minister of the state.

AD 1962: Kozhikode Corporation came into existence (November 1).

AD 1962: Kerala Lalitha Kala Academy founded in November 22.

AD 1963: Thumba Rocket Launching Centre established in October. In November 21, the first rocket was launched.

AD 1963: Kerala Land Reforms Act passed by Niyamasabha in 1963.

AD 1963: Indo Swiss Project in Mattupetty established.

AD 1963: Sardar KM Panicker died in December 10. He is the first Indian ambassador in China. He called the Pazhassi Raja as “Kerala Simham”. He wrote “Parangipadayalli”.

AD 1964: Cochin Port Trust came into existence.

AD 1964: Home Minister of Kerala, PT Chacko resigned in February 20. He died in August 1. He was the first opposition leader of Kerala Legislative Assembly.

AD 1964: PK Kunju presented Avishwasa Prameyam (No-confidence motion) in Niyamasabha. As a result, R Sankar had to resign and dismiss the Government when it was passed in the Assembly. No other parties took the cabinet; So Indian President took the rule of State for third time.

AD 1964: Kerala Congress founded under the leadership of KM George.

AD 1964: A split from the Communist Party of India in 1964 as CPI (M) and CPI. In Kerala, EMS became leader of CPI (M) and MN Govindan Nair became leader of CPI.

AD 1965: A General Election was held in 4th March, but all the parties failed to form a cabinet. Thus the elections became abortive. Once again on March 25, President’s rule in the state for the fourth time. This happened only for one time in Kerala political history.

AD 1965: KSRTC came into existence in April 1.

AD 1965: G Sankara Kurup got the first Jnanapeeta Award for ‘Odakkuzhal”. Odakkuzhal has 60 poems and was published in 1960.

AD 1966: Indira Gandhi inaugurated the HMT unit in Kalamassery.

AD 1966: Asan Smarakam built in Thonnakkal in July 24.

AD 1966: President signed the Kerala Prevention of Eviction Act in 1966.

AD 1966: Chemmeen released in 1965 got the national award for best film in 1966.

AD 1966: Kerala Tourism Development Corporation (KTDC) established.

AD 1967: As a result of General Election in February 20, 1967 EMS became the chief minister of the state in March 6.

AD 1967: Kerala Government introduced Lottery Tickets and Chit Funds in June 15.

AD 1967: The Sabarigiri Project located at Moozhiyar, Pathanamthitta under the control of Central Government.

AD 1967: The first rocket built in the country was launched from Thumba.

AD 1967: Kerala Kala Peetam established.

AD 1967: The number of Assembly seats increased from 126 to 133.

AD 1968: The first Kerala lottery draws in January 26 and was introduced by the finance minister, PK Kunju.

AD 1968: Municipal Elections all over Kerala.

AD 1968: Calicut University established in Kozhikode.

AD 1968: Sarada got the national award for best actress (Urvashi Award) for the film Thulabharam.

AD 1968: G Shankarakurup founded the Odakuzhal Award. Vennikkulam Gopala Kurup got the first Odakuzhal Award for his work in Thulaseedasa Ramayanam.

AD 1969: Government decided to give Education free up to Secondary Education for Students in January 6.

AD 1969: Kerala Sahakarana Sangham law passed in May 15.

AD 1969: Joseph Parecattil became the first Cardinal from Kerala who served as the Archbishop of Ernakulam from 1956 to 1984.

AD 1969: Resignation of Kerala Chief Minister EMS in October 24. C. Achutha Menon became the Chief Minister in November 1.

AD 1969: President accepted the Land Reform bill submitted by Kerala in December 16.

AD 1969: KSFE established.

AD 1970: Kerala Land Reform Act came into existence in 1970 citing the condition that all types of landlord-tenant (Janmi Kudiyan) relations exists were rejected and the division of land between original farmer and tenant

AD 1970: Governor dismissed the Niyamasabha upon request from Chief Minister, C Achutha Menon in June 26.

AD 1970: Upon fixing the date of General Election, the cabinet of Achutha Menon resigned in August 1.

AD 1970: A Midterm Election was held in September 17. Achutha Menon once again became the chief Minister.

AD 1970: Kerala Cashew Nut Development Corporation in December.

AD 1970: Mannathu Padmanabhan, Panampilly Govinda Menon and Pattom Thanu Pillai died.

AD 1971: Cochin University came into existence in January.

AD 1971: Agricultural University in Mannuthy. (January 25)

AD 1971: Balasahitya Institute in Kerala in May 27.

AD 1971: K Kelappan, who popularly called as Kerala Gandhi died in October 6. He is the leader of Guruvayur Satyagraha in 1932 and also was the KPCC president during Indian Independence.

AD 1971: Dr Vikram Sarabhai died in Kovalam.

AD 1972: Formation of Iddukki District in January 26th.

AD 1972: The inauguration of Cochin Ship Building Yard in April 29.

AD 1972: MN Govindan Nair introduced Laksham Veedu Colony in May 14.

AD 1972: The Marxist Party’s strike for taking back the Micha Bhoomi.

AD 1972: The first hydro electric project of Malabar, Kuttiyadi Power Project established in August 11.

AD 1972: Swayamvaram, directed by Adoor Gopalakrishnan got the national award for best film.

AD 1973: Kerala won Santhosh Trophy Football for first time.

AD 1973: Nirmalyam directed by MT Vasudevan Nair got the national award for best film (Gold Medal) from President. In this film, P J Antony (Character of Velichappadu) also got the national award of best actor (Bharat Award), who is the first keralite to get that award.

AD 1974: The construction of tall Arch Dam in Idukki completed in May 24 under theco-operation of Canadian Government. The dam is constructed between the two mountains - Kuravanmala and Kurathimala and is the first dam in india of this type.

AD 1974: Shipping Corporation of India established in Kochi in May 25.

AD 1974: The former Union Defence Minister, VK Krishna Menon died in October 6.

AD 1975: The Hindu Marriage Act and Joint Hindu Family System (Abolition) Act came into existence in 1975.

AD 1975: The introduction of Magna Carta of Kerala Act in October 2.

AD 1975: Malayalam Poet and lyrics writer Vayalar Ramavarma died in October 27.

AD 1975: Eravikulam became wildlife sanctuary.

AD 1975: Kerala Forest Research Institute was established at Peechi in Thrissur.

AD 1975: Kerala State Film Development Corporation established.

AD 1976: Moolamattom Power Station in Idduki.

AD 1976: Broad gauge railway track inaugurated by Smt. Indira Gandhi between Trivandrum and Ernakulam.

AD 1976: The Joint Family system of Kerala abolished though law.

AD 1976: Idukki Wildlife Protection Centre came into existence.

AD 1977: The number of Assembly seats in Kerala increased from 133 to 140.

AD 1977: The famous painter, KPS Panicker died in January 15. He built the Artist village in Chennai Chola Mandalam.

AD 1977: Election in both Lok Sabha and Legislative Council in March 19. K Karunakaran became the chief minister in March 25. But he resigned the post in April 25 due to adverse judgment in Rajan Case. It is also the least ruled Cabinet in Kerala History. AK Antony became chief of Kerala.

AD 1977: AK Gopalan (AKG) died. He led the first opposition party in Lok Sakha of Kerala. He is known as the “Leader of Poor People”.

AD 1977: Morarji Desai inaugurated Navel Study Centre in Vizhinjam.

AD 1977: Death of Joseph Mundassery in October 25. He is the first Education Minister of Kerala and also served in the position of literary critic, teacher and Novelist. Kozinga Elagal is his Biography.

AD 1978: Aeroplane Service from Trivandrum to Dubai.

AD 1978: G Shankarakurup (February 12), P Kunjiraman Nair (May 27) and KP Kesava Menon (November 9) died.

AD 1978: Upon resignation of Chief Minister AK Antony in October 26, CPI leader PK Vasudevan Nair became the Chief Minister in October 29.

AD 1978: Eravikulam became the first place in Kerala to get the title ‘National Park’.

AD 1978: Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary in Thekkady included in the Project Tiger Reserves.

AD 1978: Cochin Stock Exchange and KSFE established.

AD 1979: Pazhassi Dam in Kannur inaugurated in January 1.

AD 1979: Film Director, Ramu Kariat died in February 10.

AD 1979: Kerala Press Academy established in Kochi. (March 11)

AD 1979: Court finds the Karunakaran’s innocent in Rajan Case and presented the judgment in March 12.

AD 1979: Inaugration of Thiruvananthapuram – Kanyakumari Railway line.

AD 1979: PC Kuttikrishnan, also known as Uroob died.

AD 1979: The ship “Kairali” of Kerala Shipping Corporation disappeared in the Arabian Sea in July 14.

AD 1979: Inauguration of Trivandrum Railway Division.

AD 1979: CH Muhammad Koya became the Chief Minister of Kerala in October 12, upon resignation of PKV in October 7.

AD 1979: Kerala Land Reforms Bill was passed in Legislative Assembly in October 26.

AD 1979: Upon the suggestion from Chief Minister CH Koya, Governor dismissed the Legislative Council in November 30. Kerala came under president rule for the fifth time in December 5.

AD 1980: An election for the members to Kerala Legislative Assembly was held in January 21. EK Nayanar became the chief Minister of Kerala in January 25.

AD 1980: The first ship “Rani Padmini” built in Cochin Ship Yard traveled in Sea in February 4.

AD 1980: Milma founded.

AD 1980: Wayanad District came into existence in November 1st.

AD 1980: Jnanpith Award for SK Pottekkatt for the novel “Oru Desathinte Katha”. It was for the first time, a malayalam novel got this award.

AD 1981: President Rule in Kerala from October 21 upon resignation of EK Nayanar.

AD 1981: Madras High Court released all acquits of Rajan Case in November 19.

AD 1981: K Karunakaran became the Chief Minister in December 28.

AD 1981: Punalur Liquor tragedy.

AD 1982: Upon resignation of K Karunakaran, President Rule started in March 17.

AD 1982: Legislative Assembly Election in May 19. K Karunakaran again becomes Chief Minister in May 24.

AD 1982: Pants included in the uniform for local Police Men in March 18.

AD 1982: SK Pottekkatt died in August 6.

AD 1982: Television Telecast from Thiruvananthapuram from August 15.

AD 1982: Massive Liquor Tragedy in August 15 in Vypin of Kochi, about 59 dead.

AD 1982: Establishment of Pathanamthitta district in November 1.

AD 1983: Thattekad Bird Sanctuary came into existence in August 27. Dr Salim Ali founded this Thattekad Bird Sanctuary as the richest bird habitat in peninsular India

AD 1983: Death of CH Muhammad Koya in September 28. He is the first Muslim to become the chief minister in Kerala. Other positions he handled includes MLA, MP, Speaker, Minister and Home Minister.

AD 1983: Gandhiji University came into existence with Athirampuzha in Kottayam as Center in October 26. Later in 1985 it is renamed as Mahatma Gandhi University.

AD 1983: Kerala Niyamasabha passed the Azhimathi Viruddha Bill in December 15.

AD 1983: Peppara Wildlife Sanctuary came into existence in December 21.

AD 1984: Kasaragod came into existence in May 24 and it is the fourteenth and last formed district of Kerala.

AD 1984: Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary in Idukki came into existence in August 4.

AD 1984: Shenduruny in Kollam and Chimmini in Thrissur are considered as Wildlife Sanctuaries in August 25.

AD 1984: Kanyakumari – Jammu Himasagar Express started in October 2. It is the longest running train of India.

AD 1984: Aralam became a wildlife sanctuary in October 15.

AD 1984: Silent Valley became National Park. It is the second national park of Kerala.

AD 1984: Thakazhi Sivasankara Pillai got Jnanpith award for the novel ‘Kayar’. It is second largest novel in malayalam after Vilasini’s Avakashikal.

AD 1985: Malayalam Channel was telecasted from Thiruvananthapuram Doordarsha Kendra in January 1.

AD 1985: Vailoppilli Sreedhara Menon died in December 22.

AD 1986: Pope John Paul-2 visited Kerala.

AD 1986: The Mary Roy filed a case in Supreme Court. The verdict of this case is that girls born in Christian families should also get equal share as that of siblings from father’s wealth. (February 24)

AD 1986: MV Raghavan out from CPI (M) in June23. He formed Communist Marxist Party, CMP in the same year.

AD 1986: PT Usha won 4 gold medals and one silver medal in Asian Games. She became the golden star of the games and is also elected as the best athlete of Asia.

AD 1986: Mass rape of women by policemen in Thankamani village of Idduki in October 24. It is also known in the name of Thankamani Incident.

AD 1986: Cochin University became Sastra Sanketika University in November.

AD 1987: Lalithambika Antharjanam died in February 12. Her novel, Agni Sakshi got Vayalar Award.

AD 1987: EK Nayanar became the chief minister of Kerala in March 26 upon the 8th general election held in March 23.

AD 1988: The first flight landed in April 13 in Karipur Airport.

AD 1988: Shaji N Karun directed Piravi. Piravi got the national awards of best film, director and actor (Premji). Only Swayamvaram (1972) got this much awards before Piravi.

AD 1988: Perumon Train Tragedy in July 8. About 100 persons killed in the train accident at Peruman near Kollam.

AD 1989: Prem Nazir in January 16 and Muttathu Varkey in May 28 died.

AD 1989: In June 25, Kottayam became the first complete city to occupy complete literacy (100 %).

AD 1989: Meera Sahib Fathima Beevi became the first women judge of Supreme Court in October 25, who earlier served as a Judge in Kerala High Court.

AD 1989: NV Krishna Warrier, who served in the position of poet, newspaper editor and scholar died in October 12.

AD 1989: Cartoonist Shankar died. He is considered as the father of Indian Politic Cartoons.

AD 1990: Balakrishna Pillai lost his MLA post in Anti-Defection Act in January 15. He is the only person lost his MLA post by this law.

AD 1990: Ernakulam District becomes the first complete literacy district in India in February 4.

AD 1990: Kerala Sastra Sahitya Parishad got UN’s Global 500 award in June 4.

AD 1990: Padma Ramachandran became the first women chief secretary of Kerala in October 31.

AD 1990: Coconut (Nalikeram) is considered as an Oil Seed.

AD 1991: Trivandrum Airport got the status of International Airport in January 2.

AD 1991: The first election to the District Councils was held in 29th January 1991. LDF got the majority and they came to power in the District Councils.

AD 1991: The first Techno Park in India was established in Kazhakuttom, Trivandrum.

AD 1991: Upon Recommendation from Nayanar Government, Governor dismissed the Niyamasabha in April 5. A Legislative assembly was held in June 12. K Karunakaran became the chief minister in June 12.

AD 1991: Kerala became the first state in India to attain complete literacy (100%) and it was recorded in April 18. This achievement was announced by Chelakkadan Ayisha in a program held in Kozhikode – Mananchira.

AD 1991: Sree Chitra Thirunal Balarama Varma died in July 19. His final resting place is at Panchavadi.

AD 1991: C Achutha Menon Died in August 16.

AD 1991: Mahakavi Pala Narayanan Nair got the first Vallathol Award.

AD 1992: Agasthyavanam Biological Park established in January 1.

AD 1992: Kerala State Government gave the title Asthana Gayakan (Official Singer) to Yeshudas in April 3.

AD 1992: KR Narayanan became the 9th vice president of India.

AD 1992: Alappuzha – Kayamkulam Railway track built in November 20.

AD 1992: Thoppil Bhasi died in December 5.

AD 1992: KR Gouri Amma out from CPI (M) in December 9. She then started the Janathipathiya Samrakshana Samithi (JSS) party.

AD 1992: Dalai Lama visited Kerala in December 26.

AD 1992: TE Vasudevan got the first JC Daniel Award.

AD 1993: Kerala defeated Maharashtra in Santhosh Trophy in March 2.

AD 1993: 100% Literacy Rate for Adivasis in the state. It is recorded in July 4.

AD 1993: Pension for Journalists was introduced for first time in India in August 1.

AD 1993: The first private TV channel, Asianet started.

AD 1993: Doordarshan started Malayalam channel through Doordarshan Metro (DD2).

AD 1993: Sooranad Kunjan Pillai got the first Ezhuthachan Award in November 2. Ezhuthachan Award was the biggest award given by State Government for literature.

AD 1993: Rajiv Gandhi Indore stadium in Kochi established in December 19.

AD 1994: Hydroelectric Project in Kallada in January 5.

AD 1994: Guruvayur – Thrissur Railwaypath introduced in January 9.

AD 1994: Panchayat Raj Bill passed. District Councils came in April 24, 1991 eliminated.

AD 1994: The first phase of DPEP came into existence in July.

AD 1994: Vaikom Muhammad Basheer died in July 4.

AD 1994: Koothuparamba Firing in November 25.

AD 1994: The first finance commission formed.

AD 1995: Inauguration of Diesel Power Plant in Nallalam, Kerala in January 12.

AD 1995: K Karunakaran resigned in March 16 and AK Antony became the Chief Minister in March 22.

AD 1995: PN Panicker died. He is known as the Father of Library Movement in Kerala. His death day in 19th June is observed as Vayanadinam (Day of Reading).

AD 1995: 3 Tier Model of Panchayat Raj System introduced in October 2.

AD 1995: Electricity generated from Wind Power System was introduced in Kanjikode, Palakkad in November 7.

AD 1995: The ordinance of Malabar University to built in Kannur in November 16.

AD 1995: Naivedyam of Balamani Amma got Saraswati Samman in December 11. She is the first malayalee to get that prize.

AD 1995: India's first Bachat (Saving) district in Ernakulam. (December 11)

AD 1995: Jnanpith Award for MT Vasudevan Nair.

AD 1995: Folklore Academy based on Kannur.

AD 1995: Kannur Medical College started. Kannur Medical College is the sixth Medical College in Kerala.

AD 1996: Malabar University inaugurated in Kannur in March 2. The name later changed to Kannur University.

AD 1996: Kerala Women's Commission founded in March 13 with Sugathakumari as its first President.

AD 1996: Liquor Prohibition in Kerala introduced in April 1.

AD 1996: LDF won in Legislative Assembly Election. EK Nayanar became chief minister in May 20.

AD 1996: People's Planning Programme (Janakeeyasoothranam) in Kerala.(August 17)

AD 1996: Kerala Sastra Sahithya Parishad (KSSP) won the Right Livelyhood Award.

AD 1997: Brahmapuram Diesel Power Plant started in June 5.

AD 1997: KR Narayanan became President of India in July 25. He is the First Malayalee and also a first Dalit to occupy this position.

AD 1997: Verdict by High Court as Bandh (a form of protest used by political activists) is against constitution. (August 21)

AD 1997: Sivagiri Rule was totally taken by Government in October 9.

AD 1997: Booker Prize for Arundhati Roy for his work in “The God of Small Things’. She is the first malayalee to get that prize. (October 15)

AD 1998: EMS (First Chief Minister of Kerala) died in March 19.

AD 1998: Thermal Power Plant in Nallalath. (March 18)

AD 1998: Human Rights Commission formed in Kerala in December 11.

AD 1999: Kayamkulam Thermal Power Plant inaugrated by Prime Minister, Shri Atal Behari Vajpayee on January 17, 1999 in January 17.

AD 1999: Book Publisher, DC Kizhakemuri died in January 26. Thakazhi Sivasankara Pillai died in April 10.

AD 1999: Kerala Lokayukta came into existence in April 30 and Human Rights Commission came into existence in May 6.

AD 1999: The municipalities of Kollam and Thrissur become corporation in June 2. Thus kerala has 5 Corporations including Thiruvananthapuram, Kochi and Kozhikode.

AD 1999: Kerala High Court verdict “Smoking in public Places is prohibited”.

AD 1999: Prabhat Patnaik became chairman of second financial commission.

AD 2000: Sabari Mala becomes the national pilgrimage spot of Kerala. (March 26)

AD 2000: Kerala High Court verdict “Compulsory Harthil is against Constitution”. (June 1)

AD 2000: Nedumbassery Airport in Ernakulam becomes International Airport in June 11.

AD 2000: KK Usha became the first malayalee women to become the chief Justice of Kerala High Court.