5. The Early History of The Vellicode Multi-purpose Co-operative Society

5

The Early History

Of

The Vellicode Multi-purpose Co-operative Society.

     The present Kanyakumari District of the Tamil Nadu state had been a part of Travancore Kingdom before the Independence of India. It became a part of the Kerala state after Independence. The Reorganization Act of 1956, brought it under the then Madras state.

       Madras state is now called Tamil Nadu state.

      There were some Agricultural Banks, Urban Societies and Multi-purpose Co-operative Societies in the Kanyakumari District before 1956. Thus there was an Agricultural Bank each in Manakkavilai, Arumana, Lekshmipuram and Thalakkulam. There was an Urban Bank at Kuzhuthurai. The Multipurpose Co-operative Societies that existed around Vellicode were located at Kattathurai, Kannannoor, Muttakad, Palliyadi, West Neyyoor and Nattalam.

        In 1961, the then Government of Tamil Nadu state under Chief Minister Mr. K. Kamaraj exhorted the people to start co-operative societies. The purpose was partly to alleviate the sufferings of the people and partly to help the prominent members of the Congress party. Accordingly, some members of the Congress party started Multipurpose Co-operative Societies. Thus, Paraikode, Changai, Unnamalakkadai, Maekkamandapam, Kuzhicode and Vellakkadai – all around Vellicode- got one each.

        A Mr. Retnayyan B.A. B.T;  had been working in the Kattathurai English High School –an aided school -  as a teacher. He too wanted to start a Multi-purpose Co-operative Society as part of his social service activity.

        As Kattathurai had a society, the name of his new  society could not be after Kattathurai. Vellicode is a neighbouring village of Kattathurai and Mr. Retnayyan  had been staying on the periphery of Vellicode. He did not distinguish between Kattathurai, and Vellicode because he was a native of Neyyattinkara in the Kerala state. Therefore, he named his society as The Vellicode Multipurpose Co-operative Society.

        Mr. Retnayyan enrolled about 50 members.

       A Mr. Arathan Pillai was the first member. He had a cycle shop and Mr. Retnayyan used to sit there with his friends. Therefore, he was enrolled as the first founder member.

          Mr. Thanupillai, Mr. Soloman, Mr. Aaveal and Mr. Parnese were teachers working in the Kattathurai English High School. Along with Mr.Retnayyan, they also became members

        A Mr. Pakkiyanathan alias Chinnathankam  from Kattathurai junction; Mr. M. Varuvel from the Kizhakkuvilai area of Vellicode; Mr. Sebastian, Mr. Arokkiyam and Mr. Iruthayam from the Vadakkaru vilai area of Vellicode; Mr. Thankamony contractor, Mr. Ponnayyan contractor and Mr. Thankappan contractor from the Iynimoottu vilai area of Vellicode; Mr.S. Mariakkon from the Mela vilai area of Vellicode; Mr. Arulappan contractor from the Kattuvilai area of Vellicode; Joseph, Chellappan and Selvamoni from the Sankaran vilai area of Kattathurai were the prominent members.

        Mr. Retnayyan  was the founder President of the society. He, for all practical purposes, controlled everything pertaining to the society. He functioned on an honorary basis. Besides, there was an honorary secretary. The first honorary secretary was a Mr. Krishnan Nair from the Kannannoor area. Then, there was a part time clerk. Part-time clerk was later designated as Manager. Manager was then substituted by a full-time clerk with a small monthly pay. 

        In the initial stages, the Government supplied 200 kg of fertilizers, 300 kg of rice and 500 kg of sugar per month. All people were free to buy these items.

       As the members began to realize the benefits of the society, the founder President resigned from his post. As a result, Mr. Pakkianathan became the President. Mr. M. Varuvel, Mr. Parnese and Mr. Veedhamonikkam became the members of the Board. Mr. Retnayyan ignored the mode of functioning of the society and started another society for the benefit of the palm-tree climbers.

        As the clerk got employment in the Government, he resigned.

        Now, Mr. M. Varuvel approached Mr. Sabariyaradimai –a young boy of 17 years - from the Kattuvilai area of Vellicode for the post of clerk and the latter grabbed the offer.

        Mr. Sabariyaradimai discerned that the society would be shifted to an interior place in Kattathurai. He–in order to strengthen his position- enrolled many new members from Vellicode. In many cases he paid the membership fee - Re.1- and  Anna 1- from his own pocket. As a result, the members from Vellicode became the dominant group.

        Now, Mr. Pakkiyanathan became a defaulter and forfeited his right to continue as  President.

        In the election, Mr. T. Vyakappan –my father- from the Swamitharavilai area of Vellicode was made the President and Mr.M.. Yesudhasan from the Puthu vilai area of Vellicode became the Secretary. Mr. Varuvel and a Mr. Antony Muthu from the Kallukundu area of Vellicode became the members of the Board.

        One day, in 1967, the Secretary Mr. Yesudhasan secretly passed a resolution to shift the society office from Kattathurai junction to a building at Vellicode junction. The building belonged to a Mr. Rayappan of Mulaethravilai area of Vellicode.

        After writing the minute, he came to the house of Mr. T. Vyakappan at night for his signature. The latter was reluctant to shift the society. Mr. Dharmanadhan, the eldest son of Vyakappan, opposed the resolution. He did not allow his father to sign the minute and snatched the minute book. Due to the pressure exerted by the Secretary, Mr. M. Varuvel and a few others, Mr. Dharmanathan relented and Mr. T. Vyakappan had to sign the minute. 
      Next day morning, about 50 people from Vellicode went to  the Society Office in about ten batches of two to seven. Every batch stayed in different strategic places like in front of the tea shops. The Secretary had instructed them not to confront anyone in Kattathurai but pacify everyone. He had told them that the objective was shifting the society, and not any confrontation or any criminal case. 
     When the movable properties were being shifted to a bullock cart, a Mr. Bhagan of a petty shop shouted loudly. He cried that "Vellicodians" were thieving the society. But his shrieks fell in the ear of the people from Vellicode only. Therefore, his face simply blanched with despair. 
Some people from Kattathurai reached the place panting and desperate. The Secretary told them that the  District Registrar had issued orders to shift the society to the Thuckalay Punchayat Union area. In order to convince them, he showed a fake letter received from the Registrar. A Mr. Sabariyaradimai, working as typist, played an active role for the preparation of the fake letter. Others from Vellicode tried to fawn on them. All movable properties were shifted within a span of 90 minutes and the face of the people of Kattathurai assumed the appearance of the setting son. They did not get the time needed to obtain a stay  from the court. Some people said that the Secretary had been taking necessary preparations for this for about one year. 

By

V.Sabarimuthu

26-3 Thattankonam

Vellicode

Mulagumoodu P.O.

PIN:629167