Prominent Figures of the Kerala Church-112
V.T. Sebastian (Ex. MLA)
V.T. Sebastian, a prominent farmer leader, model farmer, distinguished member of the legislative assembly, notable cooperator, and community activist, was born on June 15, 1930, in Neelurkara, Kaduthuruthy, Kottayam district, at the house of his parents Thomas and Annamma. His mother hailed from the Kuruvathazhe family in Kaduthuruthy, and his father was a farmer.
Sebastian received his education at schools in Neelur, Kurumannu, and Kaduthuruthy. After high school, he couldn’t pursue further education due to the lack of nearby colleges and the unavailability of hostel accommodation, so he joined his father in farming at a young age.
Sebastian, a member of the Neelur Church, became involved in religious organizations such as the Mission League and Sodality during his youth. From 1949 to 1952, he served as a Sunday School teacher.
Following the Second World War, many families from Central Travancore moved to Malabar to escape food scarcity. Simultaneously, the first people’s government in Travancore introduced the “Gromore Food Scheme” in 1947, which allocated fertile land for cultivation in the highlands. This led to a large-scale migration of people to the forests of the highlands. Sebastian, as a farmer, bought land in Kattappana and began farming. The government-allotted lands, previously uncultivated, were cleared and developed by farmers, turning barren land into productive fields.
This migration occurred with the tacit approval of the government, which at the time was organizing regional linguistic provinces. Before this, people from Tamil Nadu and foreign nationals had been farming on land purchased from the government in regions like Peerumedu and Devikulam. If this migration had not occurred, the high ranges would have likely become part of Tamil Nadu. The policy adopted by political leaders like Pattamthanu Pillai and Ikkanda Varyar in this regard has been appreciated.
Despite the facts, certain nature and wildlife enthusiasts, along with some political figures, attempted to portray the settlers as intruders and violators. However, the farmers who, despite the challenges of famine and epidemics, cleared and cultivated the land, turning barren hills into fertile farming regions, significantly contributed to Kerala’s development. These farmers played a crucial role in shaping the future of the high ranges, transforming them into Kerala’s agricultural backbone. When various governments tried to displace the settlers, the farmers united beyond political and caste differences and fought for their rights.
V.T. Sebastian, who led the struggle of the hill farmers, emerged as a public leader. His involvement in the liberation movement in 1958 marked the beginning of his public career. In 1963, he contested the Panchayat elections and was elected as the president of the Kattappana Panchayat. He held this position until 1979, serving for almost 16 years, during which time he played a pivotal role in the development of Kattappana and surrounding areas.
In 1964, after a split in the Indian National Congress, Sebastian became an active member of the newly formed Kerala Congress. In the 1970 Kerala Legislative Assembly elections, he contested from the Udumbanchola constituency as a Kerala Congress candidate and secured a resounding victory, defeating the CPI’s renowned leader and Revenue Minister, K. T. Jacob. In 1977, when the assembly constituencies were reorganized, Udumbanchola was divided, and a new Idukki constituency was created. That year, Sebastian contested and won from the Idukki constituency.
Sebastian contested the 1980 and 1982 elections from Idukki and Udumbanchola, but was not successful. In 1977, he became the General Secretary of Kerala Congress and in 1978, its Chairman. Following a split in the Kerala Congress, he became the Chairman of the Kerala Congress (Mani Group).
From 1991 to 1996, Sebastian served as the Chairman of the Kerala State Housing Board, where he successfully made housing projects accessible to the general public. He later served as Chairman of the Housing Board again from 2001 onward.
Sebastian was also a prominent cooperator, serving in various roles such as a member of the Kattappana Service Cooperative Bank, honorary secretary of the same institution, member of the Malanadu Agricultural Development Bank, president of the Kattappana Marketing Cooperative Bank, and president of the Idukki District Cooperative Bank from 1980 to 1990.
Since 1954, Sebastian has been actively involved in various committees, including the Parish Council, the Diocesan Pastoral Council, and the committees formed for the development of Kattappana Parish. He also served as the founding secretary of the St. Vincent de Paul Society, President of the School PTA, and a member of the governing body of Osana English Medium Higher Secondary School. He has been a trustee of the parish church, as well as a renowned social worker.
Sebastian has traveled across various Indian states and abroad, including Russia, Germany, Italy, Rome, Egypt, France, and the UK, as part of cooperative and housing development initiatives. As the representative of the Housing Board, he also visited several European countries.
His wife, Elikutty, hails from the Vandarunnell family in the nearby Muttom (Sibigiri) Parish.
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