Prominent Figures of the Kerala Church-51
N.M. Mani (Churakkuzhi Mani)
N.M. Mani, a farmer with only basic education, was deeply involved in public service from a young age. He played a crucial role in the struggle to secure land rights for the hill farmers and was at the forefront of efforts aimed at the comprehensive development of the region. Mani actively participated in establishing schools, churches, and cutting roads, reflecting his dedication to improving his community. His life is characterized by sacrifice and endurance, having deeply engaged with the emotional and social issues faced by hill farmers.
Born on March 5, 1925, in Kadavoor parish, near Muvatupuzha, N.M. Mani was the eighth child of the couple Mathew and Eli. His mother, Eli, was a member of the Aryappilly family.
He received his education at Paingottur, Kulappuram, and Kaloor schools. Without completing his middle school education, Mani turned to farming. He worked alongside his elder brother, Mathew Aippen, on the family’s agricultural land in Vannappuram. After working there for eight years, Mani settled in Punnamattom and married Annakutty, the daughter of Augustin from Parakunnal.
In 1952, while living in Punnamattom, Mani contested as an independent candidate in the Panchayat elections from Paingottur and won with a significant majority. His brother, N.M. Varghese, also contested as a Congress candidate from another ward and won. Elder Varghese was elected as Panchayat President that year. Public service at that time was not financially rewarding, and Mani faced economic difficulties due to his involvement in public activities. Consequently, he sold his land and bought property in Vazhatoppu, where he moved his residence.
At that time, there was limited presence of priests at Vazhatoppu, and it was customary for priests to come from Uthuppannoor. Mani was instrumental in establishing a church at Vazhatoppu. He also led the efforts to set up a Panchayat school and a cooperative bank in the area. Fr. Thomas Peechatt served as the priest, and Mar Pothanam Mulooth Thirumeni laid the foundation stone for the church. Under Mani’s leadership, a road was constructed in a single day to bring the bishop to Vazhatoppu.
Cutting roads in government land, such as in Elakkatt, was considered illegal at that time. Mani, leading a group of 500 people, completed a five-kilometer stretch of road through Puliparappu and Elakkatt in three hours. A case was filed against Mani, resulting in a fine of one rupee. The road, built with considerable effort, was used to bring Mar Pothanam Mulooth Thirumeni to Vazhatoppu. Fr. Zacharias Thudiyampalakkal took charge as the priest in Vazhatoppu, and Mani worked alongside him in completing the church. The church building and school were handed over to the government, which also constructed the UP school there.
Mani later moved from Vazhatoppu to Upputhodu in 1960. He continued his efforts in church construction and collaborated with the priest in building roads from Mariapuram and Vimalagiri to Upputhodu. The road construction was done as a community effort, with food provided to participants. Mani actively participated in the construction of the Upputhodu church and the Vimalagiri church.
He arranged for materials needed for the Upputhodu school and completed the construction work, leading to a fine of 25 rupees imposed on him. The area of Churulikeerithodu, part of the current Kanjikkuzhi Panchayat, was included in the Udumbannoor Panchayat at that time. O.V. Lukose was then the president of the Farmers’ Association and had frequently spoken about the absence of settlement in the area, even if livestock were born.
In 1964, N.M. Mani was elected President of the Udumbannoor Panchayat. During his tenure, there were instances of forced evictions and police brutality in Churulikeerithodu. Mani, along with his elder brother N.M. Varghese, intervened to address these issues, even involving the Tamil Nadu Reserve Police. The police were harsh in their treatment of Varghese, resulting in severe injuries. Varghese’s struggle for farmers’ rights had lasting effects on his health, rendering him bedridden for years. In 1967, the E.M.S. ministry promised five acres of land to those evicted from Churulikeerithodu, but N.M. Varghese refused, believing that the fight for farmers’ rights was not about mere land allocations.
N.M. Mani, along with MLA M.M. Thomas, was actively involved in the establishment of the Vazhatoppu Panchayat. Significant development occurred during the tenure of Fr. Jose Koickal as vicar, including the construction of the Chillicity-Vettikkamattom road and the start of a high school.
Mani also served as the convener for the construction of the Thadiyampad Chapathi. During that period, forest officials forcibly took away poultry from homes. When asked to hand over a chicken, the head of the household responded that it was meant for Givargas Punyalan, saying it could be given later. Upon learning this, N.M. Mani, with a few people, visited the forest office, confronted the officials, and resolved the issue without accepting compensation. He warned them against repeating such actions.
In 1984, Mani was elected President of the Karimpank Co-operative Bank.
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