The first state, which established disaster management authority in India, is Kerala. It was inaugurated in 2007 May 9. Chief Minister was its president and revenue minister was its vice president.
Sanjeevani Vanam is the training, education spread and awareness programme that started in kerala with the support of National Herbal Board. It is established in 2002.
The first Butterflies Safari Park of Asia was first opened in Thenmala of Kollam district and it was in 2008 February 22.
Harithavanam (established under Tsunami programme in 2006) is the project established by Kerala forest – fisheries department in aim of Bio protection in coastal area.
Ente Maram (My Tree Scheme) inaugurated in 2007 June 5, with the support of school students in order to green the Kerala. It was a joint venture by Education – Forest Department of Kerala Government.
Mannezhuthu (An environment awareness programme) is the project established by Education Department for maturing the students to know and respect Nature. It is a continuation of Ente Maram Project.
Nammude Maram is the joint project by Education – Forest Departments for greening the Colleges in Kerala.
The first DNA-Barcoding center in India was started in Puthanthopu. It was started its working in 2008 June.
The first community reserve was established in Kerala. In 2007 August, Panchayats including Kadalundi in Kozhikode, Vallikunnu in Malappuram were considered as Community Reserve. Since it is the region full of Mangroves.
The all time big drinking water project of kerala is Japan Drinking Water Project.
Jalanidhi is the rural water supply project of kerala, established with the help of World Bank. KRWSA is the institution established by Kerala government for the conduction of Project.
Varsha is the Rain Water Harvesting Project established by Kerala Government. Swajaldhara is the water distribution project started in 2002 by Central Government.
Idukki is the largest Hydel Project. It started its generation in February 12, 1976 and its established capacity is 780 MW.
Maniyar and Kuthungal are the private hydel project of kerala. Kuthungal is the biggest project by private sector of Kerala. It is established in Panniyar puzha of Rajakkad Panchayat in Idukki District. Maniyar Hydel Project is established in Pathanamtitta district.
Kuttiyadi Project is the first hydel project of Malabar. It is located in Kuttiyadi river of Kozhikode District. It is established in 1972 August.
The Hydel Project completed with the help of Chinese in Kerala is Urumi hydel I, II Projects. It is located in Kodenchery panchayat of Kozhikode district. It is commissioned in 2004 January.
KSEB was established in 1957 March 31. The fist chairman of KSEB Board is K Sreedharan Nair.
69 percent Electricity Production in Kerala was from Hydel Project. It is only 30 percent, when compared with the total electricity generation from Hydel Project throughout India. It was from Thermal Project, Electricity is the mostly produced in India.
ORUMA is the billing system developed by KSEB from independent software. The fullform of ORUMA is Open Resource and Utility Management Application. It was inaugurated in 2008 March.
Mangulam in Idukki is the grama panchayat which produced electricity for first time in India. It was started in 2004.
The Coal Company of Kerala was established in Baitarani of Orissa for the production of Electricity in 2008 April.
It was in 1998 May 17, Kudumbasree Project was inaugurated. The Kudumbasree was inaugurated by the then prime minister of India, Atal Bihari Vajpayee in Malappuram. It is established for the purpose of removing the poverty from state. The project was first established in seven wards of Alappuzha Coporation in 1992 – 93.
Janasree Project is a micro finance establishment started in 2008 February 7 by Indian National Congress.
Koothali of Kozhikode district is the grama panchayat which established Ayurdalam Sampoornarogya Project. The main aim of this project is giving awareness about AIDS.
ASHA (Accredited Social Health Activist) is the volunteers of Social Health Programme conducted in villages under National Rural Health Programme.
It was in Ninth Panchsheel (Five Principles of Peaceful Co-existence) Agreement (1997 - 2002), People Planning Programme was conducted in Kerala. The project was conducted with the assistance of local self government and state planning commission. The project was inaugurated in 1996 August 17. Also in 11th Panchsheel Agreement, the people planning programme was conducted in Kerala.
Tenth Panchsheel Programme was conducted in Kerala in the name of Kerala Development Programme and it was from 2002 to 2007.
Sewage (Waste) Free Kerala Project was inaugurated in 2007 November 1. It was inaugurated by the then president, Pratiba Patil in Thiruvananthapuram. The project was started with the aim of Clean Kerala from wastes within 3 years.
Swaraj Trophy was given for best local self government every year. The award was started giving annually from 1995 – 96. The first trophy was won by Kanjikuzhy Panchayat of Alappuzha District.
The first complete Eye Donation village of India is Cherukulathoor of Peruvayal Panchayat in Kozhikode District. It was reported in 2003 February.
Kerala became a venue for National Games for first time in 1987 and it was in Thiruvananthapuram.
Nedumbassery of Ernakulam district is the first student panchayat of Kerala. It was reported in 2006 July. The idea of Student Assembly was first introduced in 2003 – 2004.
MN Govindan Nair is the minister who started the Lakh House Project in Kerala. The project was first established in Chitara of Chadayamangalam in Kollam district. The modification project called MN Lakh House Project was inaugurated in 2008 June 17 for the reconstruction of these houses. Kerala Government started a home development reconstruction project called EMS Home Construction Project.
The scientific name of Varayadu—is Nilgiri Tragus.
The first labour bank of kerala came into existence in Akathethara panchayat of Palakkad district in 2008. The main aim of this bank is for the economic development of labours and thereby reduces their poverty level.
The Ration Card System by including all sections of people in kerala was started in 1966 July 1. It was in 1974, Kerala State Civil Supplies Corporation came into existence. The Target Public Distribution System of Central Government was started in 1997 June 1.
It was in 1999 June, Information Kerala Mission came into existence. The main aim of this mission is for including all local self government under E – Governance. It is also the biggest IT project of Kerala government which have largest database. The application softwares developed by this mission includes Sulekha, Sevana, Sanjitha, Sanjaya, Samuhiya, Suchitra, Sahata, Samkiya, Stapana, Subadra, Suchika, Sakarma, Samveditha, Safalya and so on.
The first No-Paper Government office is IT Mission. The project was started with the help of message software developed by National Informatics Center (NIC).
‘Friends’ is the public service center that came into existence in 1999. Friends was started with the aim of helping people for easy payment of bills and fees. It is an e-payment system. The full form of Friends is Fast, Reliable, Instant, Efficient, Network for Disbursement of Services. It was a start up introduced by Information Technology Education Department.
The Kakkanad of Kochi city is the place selected for establishing the first smart city project of India. The stone laying function of this project was done in 2007 November 16. The smart city was funded by the company, Technology Electronic Commerce and Media (Tecom).
It was in Kariavattom of Thiruvananthapuram, the first technopark of India was started. It was established in 1990 and started functioning from 1994.
The first women police station of India was started in Kozhikode in 1973 October.
Janamaithri Suraksha Project is the community policing establishment of Kerala Government. It was inaugurated in 2008 March 26. It is a police establishment started with the help of Public for stopping crime activities.
Amma Thottil is the project started by state social welfare department with the aim of take and cares the newly born orphans. The first Amma Thottil was started in 2002 November 14 and it was in Thiruvananthapuram.
The first open jail of kerala was established in Nettukaltheri of Thiruvananthapuram District. It was inaugurated in 1962 August. The second open jail of kerala is located in Chemeni of Kasargod district.
Central Jails of Kerala is located in Thiruvananthapuram, Thrissur (Viyyur) and Kannur. Of these, Poojapura Central Jail of Thiruvananthapuram is the biggest in Kerala.
The only woman jail (prison) of kerala is located in Neyyattinkara. It was inaugrated in August 1989.
Kerala High Court came into existence in 1956 November 1. Ernakulam is its headquaters. The Union Territory, Lakshadweep is also belongs to Kerala High Court’s Boundary. The new building of court is inaugurated in 2006 February.
The first malayalee, who became Supreme Court Judge, is P Govinda Menon (1956 - 57). He is also worked as Madras High Court Judge.
The first chief justice of kerala high court is Justice KT Koshi. Sujatha V Manohar is the first woman chief justice of Kerala. Justice KK Usha is the first woman malayalee to become Kerala High Court Chief Justice.
The first woman judge of India is Anna Chandy. She was appointed as judge in Travancore in 1937. She is also the first high court judge. She served as Kerala High Court Judge from 1959 to 1967.
KELSA is Kerala State Legal Services Authority. KELSA is responsible for conducting Lok Adalats in Kerala. Lok Adalat is the system to solve the cases through compromising talks. The first Lok Adalat was conducted in Chennai in 1986.
The first Special Economic Zone of kerala is Cochin. It was in 1983, Cochin Special Economic Zone is established. It is the only place in kerala, where most people is working.
NORKA is Non-Resident Keralites Affairs Department. It is the foreign department of Kerala Government, which is established in 1996. Chief Minister is the chairman of NORKA. The first state in India which started the foreign department is Kerala.
ODEPC was established in 1977 with the aim of giving jobs to keralites in foreign countries. The full form of ODEPC is the Overseas Development and Employment Promotion Consultants Limited. It is the only company in India, which is working under a government.
The area of Kerala is 38,863 sq km. Kerala contributes 1.18 percent of total area of India. The 3.1 percent of total population of India is living in Kerala. In India, Kerala is in 21st place (in density) and 12th place in population.
Coconut is the highly cultivated crop of Kerala. Rubber, Paddy, Cardamom and Areca nut were cultivated in several places.
Kerala State Farmer's Debt Relief Commission was come into existence in 2007. The commission has the rights to solve complaints on Agricultural loans, deciding loyal range on existing loans, compromising problems raised against arguments, recommending government for withdrawing loyal cases and so on.
The three major paddy seasons in kerala are Virippu, Mundakan and Puncha. Virippu season is considered as first harvest. Mundakan is known as second harvest, which is also called winter season harvest. Puncha season is also known in the name of third harvest or Monsoon harvest. It was during Mundakan season, the most production of paddy and other crops are happened.
The average annual rain ratio is 3,107 millimeter. Kerala is getting rain for 120 to 140 days in a year. Kerala is one of the places, where most rain is getting.
July is the month where most rain is falling in Kerala. January is the month of lowest rain.
Kerala is getting most rain in southwest monsoon and this season is known in the name of Edavapathi or Kalavarsham. During Edavapathi season, kerala is getting an average of 2000 millimeter rain. North East Monsoon is known in Kerala as Thula Varsham. During this time, kerala would get an average of 50 centimeter rain.
The basic temperature needed for the growth of Nendran Plantain is 14 degree celcius. This was researched and founded by the scientists of Kerala Agricultural University.
The most profitable middle harvest of Nendran Plantain Cultivation is Turmeric.
The Fungal diseases will affect the harvest of coconut. The main reason for this disease is a bacterium called Phytoplasma. A bacterium with scientific name, Protista Moesta spread this disease.
The agricultural department was first formed in Travancore of Kerala in 1908. Agricultural Department celebrated its 100 years anniversary in 2008.
Kisan Abhiman is the pension scheme for farmers, when completed their 60 years of age. Kerala government is behind the scheme.
Cashew Nut is considered as 'Gold mine' of wasteland. Portuguese people imported cashew nut to kerala. It restricts all bad seasons and is a survival plant. Tea Mosquito is the bug which is most hurting the cashew nut agriculture.
Palakkad is the district, which is first in paddy production in kerala. Alappuzha is in second place. Pathanamthitta is least paddy produced district in Kerala.
Veterinary Biologicals in Palode of Thiruvananthapuram district is the only institution, which produces animal vaccines.
Kerala is number one in Fisheries in India. A total of 20 percent of fish production of India is from kerala. 12.24 percent of fish production of kerala is from interior rural areas.
Mackeral is the most abundantly available fish in Kerala. Sardine, Tuna, Squid and Anchovy were some of the popular fishes. Prawn is the famous exporting fish of Kerala.
The first trolling ban of kerala was filed in 1988. Kerala is also the first state to file Monsoon Trolling Ban. The ban is in the month of June – July for 45 to 47 days. The restriction is from coastal region to 12 nautical mile or upto 50 meter depth. It was in 2007, the legislative assembly passed the kerala monsoon fisheries (ocean surface) protection law for exempting the hereditary fishing employees from Trolling. Accordingly, the boats which has engine with 10 horse power were exempted from ban.
Idukki is the district which has high forest area in Kerala. Wayanad and Palakkad were in consecutive places. According to percentage, Wayanad is top in forest area. Alappuzha is the district which has least forest area in Kerala.
The total forest area of Kerala is 11,309,50 sq km.
There are 36 forest divisions in Kerala. Ranni is the biggest forest division, whereas Agasthyavanam is the smallest forest division.
There are 34 lakes in kerala, where 27 were joined with sea and seven were in interior water reservoirs.
Vembanad Kayal is the biggest lake of kerala. The area of Vembanad Kayal is 205 sq km. Moovattupuzha River, Meenachi River, Manimalayar, Pamba and Achankoil River was fallen into Vembanad Lake, which is spreaded in the districts of Alappuzha, Kottayam and Ernakulam. Wellington Island, Vypin, Vallarpadam, Kadamakudi and Pathiramanal are the important islands of Vembanad Kayal.
The place where lake meets sea is called estuary. The temporary sand bank which splits the lake and sea is Groove. During Rainy Season or Flood, Groove is broken and the lake and sea merges.
Ashtamudi Lake is located in the Kollam district, which is the second largest lake of kerala. The major river that fallen into Ashtamudi lake is Kalladayar. Neendakara estuary is the place Ashtamudi Lake merges with sea.
The biggest fresh water lake of kerala is Sasthamkotta Lake of kollam district. Its density is 3.7 sq km. Vellayani Lake of Thiruvananthapuram district; Enamakkal Lake of Thrissur, Manakodi, Pookode Lake of Wayanad etc were the freshwater lakes.
580 km is the length of sea coast of kerala. Nine districts in kerala have sea coasts. The districts, Pathanamthitta, Idukki, Kottayam, Palakkad and Wayanad have no sea coasts. Kannur has the largest sea coast in kerala.
October 13 is celebrated as State Sports Day. It is the birth date of GV Raja, who is considered as the Father of Kerala Sports. Famous hockey player, Dhyan Chand’s birth date, August 29 is celebrated as National Sports Day.
The first child friendly school city of kerala is kochi. It is declared in 2008 November.
The farmer pension was started in kerala in 1980 March 21. Old Age Pension was started in November 1, 1960. From 1982, Unemployment salary was started to given.
The first complete banking state of India is Kerala. All houses in Kerala had taken a Bank account. Kerala achieved this aim in 2007.
The only scheduled bank in Co-operation sector is Kerala State Co-operation Bank. Head Quarters is at Thiruvananthapuram.
Co-operation Day is celebrated on first Saturday of June every year. The co-operation week celebration should be from November 14 to 20.
MILMA was founded in 1980 April. Kerala Co-operation Milk Marketing Federation is simply known as MILMA. The first dairy society of kerala is Thirumala Women Dairy Society. The slogan of MILMA is ‘Keralam Kanikandunarunna Nanma’.
KSRTC was founded in 1965 March 15.
The national waterway that passes through kerala is National Water Way – 3 (NW - 3). The parts of west coast canal from kollam to kottappuram including Udyogamandal canal and Champakara Canal that lasts 205 kilometers is decided as National Water Way – 3. The waterways in Kerala are streched around 1687 km. This main waterway of kerala is West Coast Canal which is from North Hosdurg to South Kovalam that lasts 560 km.
Kerala is the state, which have most international airports in India. There are four international airports in Kerala. They are Thiruvananthapuram, Kochi, Kannur and Kozhikode. The airport of Kochi is located in Nedumbassery of Ernakulam district.
It was in 1935 October, the first plane service was started in Kerala. The first plane service to kerala is from Mumbai to Thiruvananthapuram and it was started by Tata Sons Company.
The first international airport of kerala is Thiruvananthapuram. It was in 1991 January 1, Trivandrum Airport is declared as International Airport. Thiruvananthapuram is first to declare as International Airport among non metropolitan cities.
The first airport of India, which was built with the co-operation of public sector, is Kochi. Kerala Government formed a public limited company called Cochin International Airport Limited (CIAL) in March 1994. This airport is inaugurated in 1999 May 25.
The SSLC Exam was first conducted in 1952 March.
Secondary Education is the most expensive education in Kerala. Primary Education is the second most expensive Education. Lower Primary (1 to 4), Upper Primary (5 to 7), High School (8 to 10) and Higher Secondary (Plus One and Plus Two) are other school educations.
It was from 2005 March onwards, grading system was started.
The first deemed university of Kerala is Chathamangalam National Institute of Technology in Kozhikode district. The institution was founded in 1961 with the name, Regional Engineering College and this name was changed in 2003.
The first private university of kerala is NUALS (National University of Advanced Legal Studies) in Kaloor of Kochi. It came into existence in 2005. The chancellor of NUALS is Kerala High Court Chief Justice.
The first university of kerala is Kerala University. The University was started in 1937 in the name of Travancore University and it was renamed to Kerala University in 1957. CP Ramaswami Iyer is the first vice chancellor.
The years in which different universities of Kerala is formed were Kerala University (1937), Mahatma Gandhi University (1983), Calicut University (1968), Cochin Science and Technology University (1971), Sree Sankaracharya Sanskrit University (1993), Kerala Agricultural University (1971) and Kannur University (1996).
It was under Calicut University, most colleges in kerala were affiliated. The headquarters of Calicut University is located in Thenippalam of Malappuram district.
The headquarters of Kerala Agricultural University is Mannuthy of Thrissur.
The first woman vice chancellor of kerala is Dr. Jancy James. She worked as the VC of Mahatma Gandhi University.
State Governor is the chancellor of Kerala University. Education Minister is the Pro Chancellor.
The founder of Kerala Kalamandalam is great poet, Mahakavi Vallathol Narayana Menon. It was started in 1930 November 9. The head quarter of Kerala Kalamandalam is in Cheruthuruthi of Thrissur. It was Manakulam Mukunda Raja, who worked along with Vallathol for the progression of institution.
The first state in India which accepted Tourism as Trade is Kerala and it was in 1986. The only tourist center in India, which is selected as super brand is Kerala.
The first Eco-Tourism project of India is started in Thenmala of Kollam district. The first phase of project was inaugurated in 1999 December 12 in Shendurney Wildlife Sanctuary.
Vazhiyoram Project is a tourism establishment. The project is mainly for the purpose of arranging accommodation in main road paths near water transport ways.
The first ideal fishing tourist village of India is Kumbalangi of Ernakulam district.
Cheriyanad is the first panchayat to attain ‘litigation-free and legal-literate’. This declaration was made on 2008 November.
The places where gem stones were found in kerala is Thiruvananthapuram and eastern parts of kollam district. Also Gold deposits were found in the places of Meppadi, Vaithiri and Nilambur areas.
The most rain falling place in kerala is Neriamangalam of Ernakulam district. Chinnar of Idukki district is experiencing least rainfall and it is a rain shadow region of kerala.
The place which is called as Netherlands of kerala is Kuttanad of Alappuzha district. Kuttanad is located in the lowland which may be 60 cm to 2.5 meter lower than the ocean level.
Thanneermukkom Bund is built across the Vembanad Lake. Thanneermukkom Bund is built across Thanneer Mukkath for protecting Vembanad Lake from tidal action and water floods in paddy farmlands. The construction was started in 1955 and it was commissioned in 1975.
Nehru Trophy Boat Race was conducted in Punnamada Lake. It is a part of Vembanad Lake. The Boat Race is conducted in every second Saturday of August month each year.
Perumon Tragedy is the biggest train accident in Kerala. It is occurred in 1988 June 8. 107 were died during the accident. It was the Island Express, which fallen in Ashtamudi Lake in Perumon.
The first primary health center in India is established in 1930 and it was in Neyyattinkara Taluk of Thiruvananthapuram district.
The first coir factory of kerala is Daras Mail. It was established by James Dara of Alappuzha in 1859. The first textile mill of kerala is started in kollam of 1881.
The first state in India to start Lottery is Kerala. It was happened when PK Kunju serve as Defense minister in 1967. The first draw of lottery was conducted in January 26, 1968. The least age to become a lottery agent is 18.
Iringal in Kozhikode district is the handicraft village of Kerala. It is the village of Kunjali Marakkar.
Rajya Samacharam is the first newspaper of Malayalam. It was released by Dr Herman Gundert in 1847 June at Illikunnu of Thalassery. Paschimodayam is the second newspaper released and it was also in this place in 1847 October.
The oldest daily of Malayalam which is still in publication is Deepika. It was in 1887 April, Deepika was first printed. Also the first internet edition of Malayalam newspaper is Deepika and it was from 1997 onwards.
The major dailies in Malayalam which started its publication are Mathrubhumi (1923), Malayala Manorama (1888), Deshabhimani (1942), Kerala Kaumudi (1911) and Madhyamam (1987).
The earliest newspapers and its editors were Keralapatrika - Chengalathu Kunhirama Menon, Kerala Sanchari – Vengayil Kunhiraman Nayanar, Swadeshabhimani – K Ramakrishna Pillai, Kerala Mitram – Kandathil Varghese Mappillai, Mithavadi – Moorkoth Kumaran, Kesari – Balakrishna Pillai, Sahodaran – K Ayyappan, Al Ameen – Muhammad Abdul Rahiman.
The first radio station of Kerala is Thiruvananthapuram. It was set up in 1943 March and was brought by Akashavani in 1950.
The telecast of Television in Kerala was started in 1982 January. It was in 1982 November, Doordarshan started its telecast. Doordarshan Malayalam started its telecast in 1995 January 1.
The first satellite TV channel of Malayalam is Asianet and was started its telecast in 1992 August. The first cable TV company of India is Asianet.
The first post office of kerala was set up in 1851 in Alappuzha. It was in 1961 July, Kerala Postal Circle was formed.
The first complete speed postal state of India is Kerala. It was from 2007 September onwards; all post offices in kerala started the speed postal service.
The first telephone exchange opened in Kerala was in Ernakulam in 1923. It was in 1864, Kerala started the Telegraph service. In 1974, Kerala Telecom Circle came into existence with Trivandrum as its center.
Napier Museum is located at Thiruvananthapuram. The construction of Napier Museum was started in 1855 by Uthram Thirunal Maharaja. Near to this Museum, Trivandrum Zoo is established in 1857.
The biggest water irrigation project of kerala is Kallada. The project was in Kallada river of Kollam district. Also Pathanamthitta and Alappuzha districts were getting water from this project.
The biggest Christian meeting of Asia till now is Maramon Convention. It was from 1895 onwards, the convention is conducting on the banks of Pamba River in Pathanamthitta district. It was in Cherukolpuzha of pamba banks, the biggest Hindu meeting is conducting.
Alappuzha is considered as the ‘Venice of East’. It was the viceroy of India, Lord Curzon called Alappuzha like this. Raja Kesavadas developed Alappuzha as a Harbour City.
It was in 1991 April 18, Kerala is declared as complete literacy state. The declaration was made by Cholakkodan Aysha during a programme held in Kozhikode. In 1989 June 25, Kottayam is declared as complete literacy town in India. In 1990 February 4, Ernakulam is declared as first complete literacy district. In 1993 July 4, Kerala is declared as first complete tribal literacy state.
Arakkal Dynasty of Kannur is the only muslim dynasty of Kerala. The rulers of this dynasty were Ali Raja and Arakkal Beevi. Lakshadweep was once in the control of this dynasty.
The official symbols of kerala were, Animal – Elephant, Bird – Great hornbill, Flower – Golden Shower Tree, Fruit – Jackfruit, Tree – Coconut and Fish – Pearl Spot.
Kerala is known to the world as the Land of Coconut Trees and the Land of Backwaters.
