Mannathu Padmanabhan
Technical Data
| Date of Issue | January 2, 1989 |
|---|---|
| Denomination | 60 p |
| Quantity | 1,000,000 |
| Perforation | comb 13 x 13½ |
| Printer | Security Printing Press, Nashik |
| Watermark | No Watermark |
| Colors | Olive brown |
| Catalog Codes |
Michel IN 1199 Stamp Number IN 1256 Yvert et Tellier IN 1006 Stanley Gibbons IN 1344 |
| Themes | Commemoration | Famous people | Freedom Fighters | Men | Reformers |
Mannathu Padmanabhan: A Pillar of Social Reform and Advocate for the Nair Community
Early Life:
- Birth: Born on 2nd January 1878 in Perunna village, Central Travancore (now Kerala State).
- Early Career: Initially worked as a primary school teacher.
- Law Practice: Passed a social test to practice as a lawyer in the Lower Criminal Courts.
Major Contributions:
- Nair Service Society (NSS): Co-founded on 31st October 1914, with Padmanabhan, affectionately known as ‘Mannam’, serving as its Secretary. He revitalized the traditional village societies, Karayogams, which played a significant role in family and village life. Today, 4,241 Karayogams are spread across Kerala, all connected to the NSS Head Office.
- Nair Regulation: In 1924-25, under his leadership, the NSS persuaded the Travancore Government to enact the Nair Regulation. This law dismantled the matriarchal joint family system, allowing for the division of paternal and maternal property among all children.
- Social Equality Movements:
- Vaikom Satyagraha: Fought for the rights of low-caste Hindus to use public roads near the Vaikom temple.
- Guruvayur Satyagraha: Supported temple entry for low-caste Hindus and served as the Chairman, paving the way for the Temple Entry Proclamation.
- Hindu Unity:
- Founded the Hindu Mandalam in 1950 to unify Hindus and garner support for the national movement. He was imprisoned for his involvement.
Educational and Social Initiatives:
- Education: From starting a single-room school, the NSS now runs 120 schools and two colleges offering academic, professional, and technical education.
- Land and Rehabilitation: The NSS acquired land to rehabilitate 500 families from the Travancore area, where land pressure was acute.
- Industry: Established the Mannam Sugar Mills in 1964.
- Medical Mission: Set up several cooperative societies and the NSS Medical Mission, which includes seven hospitals. Three hospitals have attached Auxiliary Nursing and Midwifery Training Schools.
Legacy and Honors:
- Mannam Nidhi: Created a fund with a Rs. 5.5 lakh gift he received in 1960, which is used to provide free medical services to the poor and scholarships to deserving students.
- Padma Bhushan: Awarded in 1966 for his contributions to society.
- Death: Passed away on 25th February 1970.
Mannathu Padmanabhan’s enduring legacy as a social reformer and advocate for the Nair community continues to inspire, with the NSS playing a pivotal role in the social and educational upliftment in Kerala.