Prominent Figures of the Kerala Church-46 Michael Kallivayalil

Prominent Figures of the Kerala Church-46
Michael Kallivayalil

In 1943, during the annual meeting of the All-Kerala Catholic Congress held at Kanjirappally, a committee was formed to raise funds for constructing a head office. Under the committee’s leadership, some funds were raised, and a trust was established in its place. The trust purchased approximately two acres of land in Kottayam town. For nearly half a century, the Kerala Catholic Trust remained inactive. In 1971, Michael Kallivayalil was elected as the president of the Kerala Catholic Trust, reviving its operations. Without significant resources, he undertook the construction of a building on the trust’s land, investing 5 lakhs in 1975. During the foundation-laying ceremony, Trust President Michael presented the treasurer with 20,000 rupees, claiming it was a contribution from donors. In reality, it was from his own funds. The building constructed with this investment now houses the offices of the trust and the Catholic Congress. The only regular income for the trust was the rent from this building. Later, a multi-story building with numerous shutters was constructed under his leadership, generating an annual income of 3.5 lakhs. After 24 years of commendable service, he stepped down from the position of Trust President, and a new administration took over. Subsequently, the history of the trust became unfortunate, with approximately fourteen lakhs disappearing during that period. Everything was secure while Michael was President, known for his diligent work and impeccable management of office affairs. He handled the trust’s assets with utmost sincerity. In 2003, the trust held its annual general meeting where members called to “Call Michael to Save the Trust.” Consequently, he was re-elected as Trust President and engaged in a legal battle to recover the lost funds.

Michael Kallivayalil was born on June 16, 1924, at Elikkulam village, Vilakkumadam parish in the Palai diocese. He is the younger son of K.C. Abraham Kallivayalil, known as Pappan, a prominent estate owner. K.C. Abraham Kallivayalil played a crucial role in transforming the eastern highlands of Kerala into prosperous villages and initiating tourism development in the high ranges. He was an adventurous and prominent farmer.

Michael studied up to the 7th grade at the Vilakkumadam parish school and completed his schooling at Mannanam St. Ephrem’s High School and Kotagiri Irish priests’ school near Nagarcoil. He graduated with a B.A. from St. Xavier’s College, Bombay. In the same year, he married Maryamma Kuruvinakunnel. He also entered the estate industry, cultivating rubber at Maruthi Estate and tea at Pulluparra Estate. In 1952, he purchased the Mekkunnam Estate, where he grew tea, coffee, and cardamom. In 1957, he became a partner in the business by purchasing the Enthyara Estate from J.J. Murphy.

In 1958, Michael bought the Glenrock Tea Factory in Mundakkayam, which was used for processing tea from Pulluparra and Mekkunnam estates. He also acquired the Kambam Mett Estate in Udumpanchola Taluk, cultivating tea and coffee there. In 1959, he purchased a motor transport company in Kottayam, which was originally established by the British in 1904 as a limited company with workshops, spare parts shops, petrol and diesel pumps in Kottayam, Pala, Mundakkayam, and Peerumedu.

From 1960, Michael Abraham was elected as a member of the Peruvanthanam Panchayat. He was also the President of the Peruvanthanam Service Co-operative Society and Bank. In 1962, he acquired the Hotel International in Kuttikkanam, which was once the summer residence of the Regent Maharani of Travancore.

In 1977, he purchased the Hevicrub Private Limited in Paika, India’s first block rubber processing factory. In 1988, he sold Maruthi Estate and, in 1989, bought the Tasheel Card Mass Private Limited, located in the Udumpanchola Taluk.

Michael Kallivayalil was President of the Mundakkayam Planters’ Association for a long time and served as President of the Mundakkayam Club from 1976 to 1978. He was a member of the core group that established the Mundakkayam Medical Trust Hospital and was its Secretary for a long period.

From 1958-72 and later from 1984-90, Michael was a member of the Rubber Board and its Vice Chairman from 1984-90. He was the President of the Kottayam District Amateur Athletic Association from 1959-84 and Chairman of the Kerala Catholic Trust since 1971. He has been a member of the Peerumedu Wildlife Sanctuary Committee since 1959 and its President from 1975-85. He has also been a member of the Executive Committee of Kuttikkanam Marian College.

Michael is the manager of J.J. Murphy Memorial Higher Secondary School and J.J. Murphy Memorial Public School, and he is also the manager of the Kallivayalil Pappan Memorial Public School in Mundakkayam. He has donated land for the St. Pius X Convent and School in Kuttikkanam, Marian College in Kuttikkanam, and the Sevanalaya in Enthyara (a retirement home run by the Snehagiri Sisters). He has also provided land for churches in Enthyara, Thekkemala, Murinjapuzha, and Peruvanthanam and for a church, monastery, school, and hospital in Kambam Mett, Udumpanchola Taluk.

Michael is now retired from active service. His only son, Joseph, manages all business affairs. However, Michael, a community-minded person, continues to serve as the President of the Kerala Catholic Trust, with hopes that he will continue to effectively manage the trust’s activities.