Prominent Figures of the Kerala Church –34 M.C. Paul

Prominent Figures of the Kerala Church –34
M.C. Paul

M.C. Paul, who demonstrated exceptional talent in both establishing educational institutions and fostering large-scale business ventures, was born on May 23, 1923, as the second son of Mr. Thomas Chacko and Mrs. Alappatt Annam Chacko in the renowned Mampully family of Irinjalakuda. Paul completed his school education at Irinjalakuda Boys’ Government High School. As the Secretary of the School Literary Society and a member of the school football team, he participated in various tournaments and achieved success. Despite his active involvement in sports, games, and literary society activities, he consistently excelled academically in each class.

At a very young age, Paul entered the family business at the age of 17. His future accomplishments stand as a testament to his dedication and responsibility. The business he started modestly grew into a significant enterprise, eventually becoming a dealer in Kerala Government’s ration rate and a wholesale distributor of sugar. He later expanded into ration wholesale trading and served as the President of the Kerala State Ration Wholesale Dealers Federation for fourteen years. Paul also focused on industrial ventures, becoming the Senior Managing Director of the Union Tile Factory in Karuvannur and a Senior Partner at Irinjalakuda’s St. Joseph Oil Mill. He established family businesses such as M.C.P. Traders, M.C.P. Enterprises, M.C.P. Agencies, and M.C. Paulsons, and he is currently the Chairman of M.C.P. Agrotechnologies Private Limited, a new venture of the M.C.P. Group of Industries.

Paul also contributed significantly to cooperative banking as President of Irinjalakuda People’s Cooperative Bank for 14 years. He served as Chairman of the Sarvodaya movement in Thrissur for a long period and was involved in various capacities in organizations like the Majestic Company in Thrissur and as the founding Chairman of Irinjalakuda Bless Courses and Loans.

Paul was uniquely elected as the Chairman of Irinjalakuda Municipal Council without opposition. He was first elected as a Councilor in 1953 and was actively involved in the development activities of Irinjalakuda town for thirty years. His initiatives included halting the scavenging system in the municipality, planning the site for the Irinjalakuda Town Hall Complex, initiating a major pure water supply project, and establishing the renowned Ayurvedic hospital in Irinjalakuda. He was also the first person from Irinjalakuda Municipal Council to be elected as a member of the Kerala Municipal Chairmen’s Chamber.

Paul’s social work includes serving as President, Zone Chairman, Regional Chairman, and District Chairman of the Lions Club. He was honored as the Lion of the Year in 1989, a distinction no one else from Irinjalakuda Lions Club has received to date. Under his presidency, the Irinjalakuda Recreation Club (IRC) acquired land and began constructing its building. Paul personally laid the foundation stone for the club’s building.

In church activities, Paul provided active leadership, serving long-term as Director of the Thrissur Diocese Social Welfare Center and as Chairman of the Irinjalakuda Social Forum. He also held positions such as Treasurer of the Catholic Union of Thrissur in the undivided Thrissur Diocese. He was involved in various capacities with organizations like the Irinjalakuda Catholic Sentries, the Amala Cancer Research Institute in Thrissur, Sneha Bhavan for the disabled and orphans, and Hope Bhavan for the mentally challenged. He has been a managing committee member and trustee of the Irinjalakuda Cathedral Church for a long period, and continues to be a member of the Irinjalakuda Diocese Pastoral Council.

Paul is also active in the social services sector, working as Director of the Kuriakose Elias Service and the Diabetic Research Center in Irinjalakuda. He was part of the steering committee for the initial operations of St. James Hospital in Chalakudy under the Irinjalakuda Diocese.

As noted in an article by Prof. V.A. Varghese in the March 1998 issue of the ACCC Bulletin, Paul has been involved in various cultural and educational initiatives. He was President of the Arts Kerala organization, which organizes arts festivals for college students, and has been a significant part of the Unnayi Varier Memorial Art Center in Irinjalakuda, contributing to its administration and the establishment of a student hostel.

Paul’s contributions to the growth of education in Irinjalakuda are memorable. When the idea of starting an arts college in the area was just a dream, the Irinjalakuda Municipal Council’s resolution to provide 28 acres of land for free was crucial. The proposal was presented by M.C. Paul and approved by Mr. T.T. John. Paul was actively involved in the committee that worked on Christ College from its inception.

Paul has been actively involved in the establishment and operations of educational institutions such as St. Joseph College and Don Bosco School. He remains a member of the Guardians and Well-Wishers Associations of Christ College and St. Joseph College.

For thirty years, Paul served as President of the Teacher’s Protection Organization at his alma mater and played a leading role in the establishment of similar organizations at the district level. As PTA President of Irinjalakuda Government Boys’ High School, he actively contributed to water supply systems and the establishment of a reading room in the conference hall.

Paul has a longstanding relationship with the Bharat Scouts and Guides movement, serving as President of Irinjalakuda District Scouts for three decades. He was honored with the Bar to Medal of Merit in 1991 for his contributions to scouting.

Although Paul was an active member of the Indian National Congress and served as President of the constituency for over ten years, his interests also extended to wider industrial ventures beyond his own businesses. His early involvement in the South Indian Commercial Corporation (Private) Ltd. and his roles in other companies like Commercial Printers and Delicious Hotels Pvt. Ltd. highlight his diverse industrial interests.

In corporate management, Paul was a key promoter and director of Kerala Solvent Extractors Ltd., where he became a full-time director in 1976, an Executive Director in 1978, and Chairman and Managing Director in 1994. The company, a leading player in the coconut oil extraction industry, was recognized at an international conference in Bangalore in 1991.

Paul has received numerous awards for his contributions, including the Lion of the Year (1990) from Lions Club International, Best Industrialist Award from Thrissur Chamber of Commerce (1996), Businessman of Kerala from Business Deepika (1996), Management Excellence Award from Thrissur Management Association (1999), and several others.