Cherian Philip


Cherian Philip is Coordinator of Nava Keralam Karma Padhathi, which is an initiative of the Pinarayi Vijayan-led Government of Kerala. He is a senior politician of Kerala and a political thinker. He is a left fellow traveler. He was the Secretary of Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee while A. K. Antony was in presidency. He was a prominent youth and student leader of congress in seventies and eighties. Political historian of India and Kerala and author of several books. He worked as a consultant for Kairali TV and People TV. He was Chairman of Kerala Tourism Development Corporation and founder president of "Kerala Deshiya Vedhi" - A social organisation.

Early life

Cherian Philip was born in Aarattupuzha Chengannur, Kerala as the elder son of K C Philip, Kadavana sub family of Pakalomattom Ayrookuzhiyil, a prominent Saint Thomas Christian family of Kerala. He resides at Jai Bhavan, Kunnukuzhy, Thiruvananthapuram.
Studied at St. Joseph's high School, Trivandrum, Mar Ivanios College, Trivandrum, University College Trivandrum and Government Law College, Thiruvananthapuram.

Political career

Cherian Philip entered politics through Kerala Students Union in 1967 as school unit President while Oommen Chandy was its president. He was elected as the Secretary of the Kerala University Union and Senate Member of Kerala University in 1974. He became the General Secretary of KSU in 1975 and its President in 1979-80. From 1980 onwards, he was the Vice-President of Kerala Pradesh Youth Congress and from 1982–89, was the General Secretary of Youth Congress. During the period 1984-89, he was the member of Indian Youth Congress National Council. Then became the Secretary of Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee. In 1992, he constituted a new social organization named Kerala Desiya Vedhi in his Presidency. Until 2001, he was in the Indian National Congress and later quit Congress. He contested against Sri.Oommen Chandy. as a protest against power monopoly in congress. His demand was not to give tickets to MLA's completed two terms or 10 years. But congress leadership denied it.
In 1991, he contested as Congress candidate lost to T K Ramakrishnan in Kottayam Kerala Assembly Election by a mere 2682 votes.
In 2001, he contested as an Independent candidate supported by LDF against Oommen Chandy at Puthuppally Constituency for Kerala Legislative Assembly.
In 2006 he contested against Joseph M Puthussery in Kalluppara and in 2011 contested against K Muraleedharan in vattiyurkavu.
He anchored and produced social critical weekly programme 'Cherian Philip pratikarikkunnu' on the Kairali Malayalam TV Channel for 10 years from 2001–06 and 2011-2016 which ran about 500 episodes.
He was the Chairman of Kerala Tourism Development Corporation.. International Marina, Kerala house, GV Raja Convention Centre, Beach Camp, Golden Peak resorts and 14 Tamarind Hotel during his tenure
He worked as the consultant for Kairali TV and People TV. He is the author of seven books: "Kaal Noottandu"," Swatandryatinu Sesham"-, "Vidyabhyasa Viplavam" -An educational Study, "Azhimatiyude kara"-A social Criticism, "Gulfile Keralam" - a Lifestyle study, "Netrunira"- Life sketches of 200 Kerala politicians, "Rastriya Vijnjanam"-political theory, "Idanazhikalil" - Autobiography
Cherian Philip received several awards from Kerala Government and social organizations for his books and TV programmes. H was editor of Kalashala fortnightly official organ of KSU. Was the political correspondent of Veekshanam daily. He was the editor of Socialist Youth monthly, the official organ of Youth Congress from 1980–87 and also the convenor of 'YuvaPratibha', a cultural organization. He attended World Youth Festivals in Moscow, Korea. He visited more than 30 countries in the world.