1957 JAN 01
(Image: Erstwhile Malabar District)

Erstwhile Malabar District divided to form Kannur, Kozhikode and Palakkad Districts. Later three more districts – viz., Kasaragod, Wayanad and Malappuram – have been formed in the region.		   1958 JAN 06
(Image: Kollam railway station – an old picture)

Kollam – Kottayam rail line opened for traffic
 
     
1958 JAN 26
(Image: House of Poet at the Thonnakkal Memorial Campus)House of Poet Kumaran Asan at Thonnakkal in Thiruvananthapuram district has been taken over by the Government to institute Poet’s memorial
   1958 JAN 26
(Image: Front page of Swadeshabhimani daily)Swadeshabhimani Press, which was confiscated on  26th  September 1910 on account of its involvement in the freedom movement, was returned to the son of Abdul Khader Moulavi by the first Communist Government of Kerala
     
 
     
1960 JAN 01
(Image: Logo of State Bank of Travancore)

Travancore Bank merged with the Indian State Bank and re-named as State Bank of Travancore		   1960 JAN 18
(Image: Cover page of the Act and Rules of Kerala Panchayat Raj)
Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, the then Prime Minister of India formally inaugurated the Panchayat Raj System of administration at Ernakulam. Kerala Panchayat Raj Act, 1960 came into force on 7th January 1962. Consequentially, the Malabar District Board was abolished
     
 
     
1960 JAN 26
Guruvayur Township came into existence		   1965 JAN 26
Ajith Prasad Jain assumed charge as the Governor of Kerala
     
 
     
1966 JAN 01
(Image: V.P. Menon being presented with a memento at the time his retirement)

V.P.Menon passed away. Valappala Pangunni Menon was an eminent civil servant who played vital role for the integration of independent India during 1948-1950. 		  1968 JAN 26
First draw of Kerala State Lottery held
     
 
     
1969 JAN 06
Government of Kerala declared free education to all up to Secondary level		   1970 JAN 01
Kerala Land Reforms Act came into force
     
 
     
1972 JAN 26
(Image: Dr.D.Babu Paul, the then District Collector of Idukki  hoisting the National flag in front of the Collectorate)

Idukki District formed as the 11th district of Kerala. 		  1976 JAN 02
Kainikkara Padmanabha Pillai passed away. Kainikkara Padmanabha Pillai was an author, actor, orator, teacher.his famous works include Veluttampi Dalava (1932) and Kalvariyile Kalpapadapam, Veluttampi Dalava, The Red Interlude in Kerala. He was an award winner of Kerala Sahithya Academy 
     
 
     
1976 JAN 19
T.K.Divakaran, former Minister of Kerala and renowned trade union leader passed away.		   1977 JAN 11
T.K.Divakaran, former Minister of Kerala and renowned trade union leader passed away.
     
 
     
1978 JAN 01
Direct flight services to UAE from Thiruvananthapruam started		   1979 JAN 01
Pazhassi Irrigation Project dedicated to the nation by Morarji Desai, the then Prime Minister of India.
     
 
     
1980 JAN 21
(Image: An artist giving final touch to a billboard)

General Elections to the VI Kerala Legislative Assembly held. Out of 140 seats, 93 seats won by the Left Democratic Front led by the Communist Party of India (Marxist)		   1980 JAN 25
Left Democratic Front Government led by E.K.Nayanar sworn in as the 11th Chief Minister of Kerala
     
 
     
1984 JAN 16
[Image: Stephan (right) is watching a model of a Ham radio in Idukki district]
Sri.C.M.Stephan, former Union Cabinet Minister for Information and Broadcasting and renowned trade union leader passed away.		   1985 JAN 01
(Image: Announcement of vacancies telecasted through the Thiruvanananthpuram Doordarshan centre in Malayalam)
Thiruvananthapuram Doordarshan Kendra started to telecast Malayalam programmes
     
 
     
1987 JAN 06
Sri.N.N. Kakkad, illustrious Malayalam poet,  passed away. Saphalamee Yathra, Salabha Geetham, Pathalathinte Muzhakkam, Vajrakundalam,, Nanni Thiruvoname Nanni,  Ashramamrugam, Nadan Chinthukal are some of his famous works.		   1988 JAN 23
(Image: Voters waiting their turn in a polling station)
Elections to the Local Self Governments (Panchayats, Municipalities and Corporations) held. Eighty per cent polling recorded. Out of 999 Panchayats, Left Democratic Front won 469 Panchayats and United Democratic Front won 455 Panchayats. In 72 Panchayats both the fronts won equal seats. 43 Municipalities favoured United Democratic Front and 13 were in favour of Left Democratic Front while both the fronts won equal seats in 5 Municipal Councils. Left Democratic Front won in all the three Municipal Corporations.
     
 
     
1989 JAN 16
Prem Nazir passed away. Prem Nazir (Real name - Abdul Khader) was a film actor who is considered as one of the super stars and ever green hero of Malayalam screen. 		  1989 JAN 22
M. Govindan passed away. M.Govindan was a freedom fighter, writer, editor social activist and an ardent follower of M.N.Roy.
     
 
     
1990 JAN 09
(Image: Western gate of Vadakkunatha Temple)

Vadakkunatha Temple at Thrissur declared as a national monument by the Government of India. Vadakkunatha temple is one of the largest and ancient Siva temples of Kerala. Legend says that the temple was built by Lord Parasurama. The famous Thrissur Pooram is celebrated here. 		  1990 JAN 14
Mani Madhava Chakyar, greatest and authoritative artist of Chakyar Koothu and Koodiyattam (traditional drama theatre of ancient period) passed away
     
 
     
1991 JAN 02
Thiruvananthapuram Airport upgraded as an International Airport		   1991 JAN 24
P.Padmarajan, famous novelist and prominent film director passed away
     
 
     
1994 JAN 01
K.R.Gouri Amma expelled from the Communist Party of India (Marxist)		   1994 JAN 09
Guruvayur-Thrissur railway line inaugurated by P.V.Narasimha Rao, the then Prime Minister of India.
     
 
     
1995 JAN 12
India’s largest Diesel Power Plant inaugurated by Sri.K.Karunakaran, the then Chief Minister of Kerala		   1995 JAN 17
G.Ramachandran passed away. He was a social reformer and a teacher. He was the founder and First Vice Chancellor of Gandhigram Rural University. He started “The Madhavimandiram Loka Seva Trust” for the welfare of women and children in 1980. He was an MP and Health and Education Minister in Pattom Thanu Pillai’s Ministry in Kerala. He was the Chairman of All India Khadi Village Industries Commission (KVIC).  He authored several books.
     
 
     
1996 JAN 19
M.T.Vasudevan Nair awarded Jnanapeeth. M.T.Vasudevan Nair is a versatile novelist of Malayalam. He wrote stories while he was a student and won first place in all Kerala level short story writing contest conducted by the Mathrubhoomi weekly. He has written many novels and short stories. He won many awards like Sahithya Academy Award, Vayalar Award. He produced and directed a number of films in Malayalam. His film “Nirmalyam” won President’s Gold Medal. He was the Editor of Mathrubhum weekly. He is the visiting Professor of Pune Film Institute. Government of India awarded Padmabhooshan to him in 2005. He was also awarded Vallathol Sahithya Puraskaran for his comprehensive contributions in the field of literature. Important works: Nalukettu, Murappennu, Asuravithu, Kaalam, Randamoozham, Manju		   1997 JAN 10
Distribution of Voter Photo Identity Card started
     
 
     
1997 JAN 25
Sukhdev Singh Kang appointed as new Kerala Governor		   1998 JAN 20
First rice transplanting machine inaugurated at the Adat Kole field, Thrissur
     
 
     
1999 JAN 17
First phase of National Thermal Power Plant at Kayamkulam dedicated to the nation by A.B.Vajpay, the then Prime Minister of India. 		  2001 JAN 09
Mar Varkey Vithayathil, Major Arch Bishop of
Syro-Malankara Church was  appointed as the member of Sacred College of Cardinals by Pope John Paul II
     
 
     
2002 JAN 03
(Image: Police men searching for weapons at Marad)
Marad Beach at Kozhikode witnessed communal riots. 		  2005 JAN 05
P.K.Kunhalikutty, Muslim League leader and Minister for Industries, Government of Kerala resigned from the cabinet of Sri. Oommen Chandy in connection with the Ice-cream Parlor Case
     
 
     
2006 JAN 04
A.Sujanapal inducted as the Minister for Forests & Environment in the Oommen Chandy ministry. He was in the office only for a period of five months as the tenure of the ministry expired in May 2006.		   2008 JAN 28
Baby John passed away. He was the senior leader of Revolutionary Socialist Party and known as Kerala Kissinger. He was a minister in the governments led by C. Achutha Menon, K. Karunakaran, A. K. Antony, P. K. Vasudevan Nair, and E. K. Nayanar.
     
 
     
2009 JAN 28
Government of Kerala introduced ‘Kissan Abiman’ programme for enhancing agriculture production and for the welfare of farmers. Under this scheme, farmers who had completed 60 years of age will get pension of Rs.300 per month. 		  2011 JAN 04
Union Defense Minister laid foundation stone of National Institute for Research and Development in Defense Shipbuilding (NIRDESH) at Chaliyam, near Kozhikode 
     
 
     
2012 JAN 24
Sukumar Azhikode passed away. Sukumar Azhikode was a teacher, writer, critic and philosopher. But he is widely known as an orator with razor-sharp tongue and hard-hitting speeches intermingled with humour. Aasaante Seethaakaavyam, Ramananum Malayalakavitayum,  Shankarakkuruppu Vimarshikkappedunnu, Mahatmavinte Margam,  Purogamanasahityavum Mattum,  Malayala Sahityavimarsanam,Tatvamasi, Tatvavum Manushyanum,  Guruvinte Dukham, Aakasam Nashtapetunna India, Pathakal Kazhchakal, Mahakavi Ulloor are some of his important works. His most famous work is Tatvamasi, an authoritative book on Indian philosophy, the Vedas and the Upanishads. This work alone won him 12 awards. He refused to accept the Padma Shri, stating that such honours are against the constitution.		   2012 JAN 24
Second Data Centre of Kerala started functioning at the Technopark in Thiruvananthapuram. Kerala is the first state in India to have a data centre exclusively for the state sponsored e-governance applications
     
 
     
2013 JAN 17
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh laid the foundation stone for the integrated refinery expansion and modernisation projects of Bharat Petroleum Corporation at Kochi		   2013 JAN 31
A separate bench has been formed in the Kerala High Court to handle cases against women atrocities. The Division Bench and and a single bench began functioning from 04-02-2013 onwards
     
 

2014 JAN 01

Ramesh Chennithala sworn in as a Minister in the UDF government headed by Oommen Chandy. He has been offered the Home, Vigilance and jail portfolio in the ministry, replacing Thiruvanchur Radhakrishnan, who has been retained in the cabinet with Forest and Transport portfolios.

  

2016 JAN 23

K.Babu, Minister for Excise, Fisheries & Ports resigned from the Oommen Chandy’s Cabinet after the vigilance court ordered for a First Information Report (FIR) to be filed against him over bribery charges.  On 30th he withdrew his resignation UDF decided not to accept his resignation.
     
 
     

2019 JAN 14

Lenin Rajendran, eminent Malayalam filmmaker passed away following liver related ailments. He was 67. He was serving as the Chairperson of Kerala State Film Development Corporation. A multiple state award winner, Lenin Rajendran helmed a number of critically acclaimed movies including "Swathi Thirunal", "Daivathinte Vikrithikal", "Mazha", "Kulam" and "Idavapathi".

 

  

2019 JAN 15

Kollam bypass inaugurated by PM Narendra Modi. The 13-km long, 2-lane Kollam bypass is on National Highway-66.  According to the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, the Kollam bypass has been constructed at a cost of Rs 352 crore. The highway has three major bridges over Ashtamudi Lake, with a length of 1,540 metres in total. The bypass enables to ease traffic congestion around the Kollam town and to reduce the travel time between Alappuzha and Thiruvananthapuram.

 
     
 
     

2020 JAN 01

The state government of Kerala has banned the manufacturing, sales, storage and transportation of single-use plastic products like carry bags, disposable cups, straws, PET bottles, etc.

  

2020 JAN 30

First confirmed case of novel corona virus of India is reported in Thrissur district of Kerala. The patient was a student studying in Wuhan University, China. He had returned to India consequent on the outbreak of covid-19 in Wuhan and subsequent lock-down.