Sree Kerala Varma College

Sree Kerala Varma College
ശ്രീ കേരള വർമ്മ കോളേജ്
Sree Kerala Varma College
Other name
SKVC, Royals
Mottoअस्तु वृत्तं शुभं सदा
Motto in English
Pure be my Life Forever
TypeGovernment Aided College
Established11 August 1947 (1947-08-11)
FounderH.H Aikya Keralam Thampuran
Academic affiliations
Officer in charge
K. Jayanarayanan
PrincipalProf. Sobha T D
Academic staff
110
Students2570
Undergraduates2220
Postgraduates300
50
Location
Thrissur, Kerala
,
India

10°32′N 76°11′E / 10.53°N 76.19°E / 10.53; 76.19
CampusUrban
Sporting affiliations
University of Calicut
Websitewww.keralavarma.ac.in

Sree Kerala Varma College is a government-aided higher education institution located in Kanattukara, Thrissur, Kerala, India. Established in 1947, the college was founded by Aikya Keralam Thampuran, the Maharaja of the former Kingdom of Cochin.[1][2][3][4] The Cochin Devaswom Board currently manages the institution and operates under the affiliation of the University of Calicut.[5]

History

According to the official website of Sree Kerala Varma College, the idea to establish a new college in Thrissur originated in a committee of citizens, including Cheloor Mana Itti Ravi Namboodiri, a member of the first Legislative Assembly of the Kingdom of Cochin. The proposal was submitted to the Maharaja of Cochin, Aikya Keralam Thampuran, who granted the use of the Merry Lodge Palace and agreed to name the college after himself as Sree Kerala Varma College.[6]

The Maharaja also reportedly provided financial support, including a grant of ₹1 lakh and a loan of ₹4 lakhs for capital expenditure, along with timber (250 candies) for construction purposes.[7] The college was inaugurated on 11 August 1947, with the admission of its first student, Miss V.K. Malathy, who later became a faculty member in the English Department. Kavithilakan Prof. P. Sankaran Nambiar was appointed as the first principal.[8]

Initially, the college offered Intermediate and B.A. Junior courses. In 1948, B.Com. and B.A. (Music) programs were introduced, with the music course being the first of its kind in Kerala; however, it was discontinued in 1952-53. Science courses began in 1953-54, followed by the introduction of two postgraduate programs, M.A. in English and M.A. in Economics, in 1965.[9]

Sree Kerala Varma College is currently affiliated with the University of Calicut and is managed by the Cochin Devaswom Board. The college is located approximately 3 kilometres from the centre of Thrissur, Kerala.[10]

Academics

Departments

Sree Kerala Varma College offers undergraduate (UG), postgraduate (PG), and research programs across various disciplines.

The departments include Botany (UG), Chemistry (UG, PG), Computer Applications (UG), Commerce (UG, PG), Economics (UG, PG), English (UG, PG, Research), Hindi (UG), History (UG), Malayalam (UG, PG, Research), Mathematics (UG, PG), Philosophy (UG), Physical Education, Physics (UG, PG, Research), Political Science (UG, PG, Research), Sanskrit (UG, PG), Statistics (UG), and Zoology (UG, PG).

The college is affiliated with the University of Calicut and follows its curriculum guidelines.

Facilities

Library

The College Library is in a two-storey building next to the Administrative Block. It has over 70,000 books and subscribes to various online and print periodicals and magazines. The library enables access to back volumes and is connected to INFLIBNET and NLIST. An online public access catalogue (OPAC) system is available. Reprography services are offered through the Cooperative store next to the library building.

Hostel

The college offers hostel accommodations for both male and female students, subject to availability. The women's hostel, located within the college campus, can accommodate approximately 220 students. The men's hostel, situated near the N.D. Subramaniam Stadium complex, accommodates about 120 students. Additionally, a gym facility is available for both male and female residents, promoting physical fitness among students.[11]

Sports

The Prof. N.D. Subramaniam Stadium on campus offers facilities for various sports, including cricket, basketball, and football. The college also hosts four sports hostels, sanctioned by the Kerala Sports Council, accommodating around fifty athletes specialising in basketball, weightlifting, judo, and swimming. [12]

  • Gymnasium: Located in the Main Block, the college gymnasium is equipped with a wide range of fitness equipment suitable for training, exercise, and bodybuilding activities.

Student life

Students at Sree Kerala Varma College can participate in a wide range of extracurricular activities, including sports and cultural events.

Extracurricular Activities

  • National Cadet Corps (NCC): The college hosts an active NCC unit, providing students with opportunities for leadership development, discipline, and community service.[13]
  • National Service Scheme (NSS): Through NSS, students engage in social service initiatives, fostering a sense of responsibility and community involvement.[14]
  • Clubs and Associations: The college supports various clubs, including the Nature Club and Film Club, encouraging students to pursue diverse interests and talents.[15]

Sports

Students participate in a variety of sports, such as football, cricket, basketball, handball, kabaddi, swimming, and boxing. The college provides facilities and coaching to support athletic development.[16]

Festivals and Events

  • College Day: College Day is typically celebrated during the final days of the academic year, with cultural performances, award ceremonies, and community gatherings.[17]
  • Chemistry Festival "Oxia 2025": Scheduled for January 2025, this festival showcases the college's commitment to academic excellence and student engagement in scientific pursuits.[18]
  • "Leyenda" Political Carnival: Organised by the Department of Political Science, "Leyenda" is an annual event that fosters political awareness and discourse among students.[19]
  • "ASPERA": An inter-collegiate IT festival, "ASPERA" offers a platform for students to showcase their technological skills and innovations.[20]
  • "Saptati Celebrations": In August 2017, the college commemorated its 70th anniversary with a three-day-long event featuring cultural and academic activities.[21]

Notable Alumni

Notable Faculties

Controversies

Sree Kerala Varma College has been involved in several controversies over the years, primarily related to student politics and campus activities.

Student Union Election Disputes

In November 2023, the college experienced significant turmoil during the student union elections. Initially, KSU candidate Sreekuttan Sivadasan was declared the winner by a narrow margin. However, following a request for a recount by the SFI candidate, the results were reversed, leading to the SFI candidate's victory. This reversal prompted allegations of electoral malpractice from the KSU, leading to legal intervention. The Kerala High Court observed discrepancies, noting that four votes deemed valid in the original count were marked invalid during the recount. The court expressed concerns over the procedures adopted and ordered a fresh recount to ensure fairness.[24]

When the principal halted the recounting process without a formal written request, the situation escalated into confusion and protests among students. The intervention of the Cochin Devaswom Board's president further complicated matters, as students demanded transparency and adherence to university regulations.[25]

Controversial Posters and Campus Activities

The college has also witnessed incidents involving provocative posters and campus activities. In June 2019, a poster depicting Lord Ayyappa in a distorted manner appeared on campus, leading to protests from various political groups. The SFI leadership, under whose name the poster was displayed, claimed it was an attempt by rivals to malign their organisation and promptly removed the poster upon discovery.[26]

In October 2021, controversial posters with provocative language appeared on campus, prompting public criticism and raising concerns about the nature of student activism. These posters, attributed to the SFI, sparked widespread condemnation for promoting sexual anarchy and anti-national sentiments. The incident highlighted ongoing concerns about the nature of student activism and the content promoted within the campus.[27]

See also

References

  1. ^ "Kerala Verma College". Mathrubhumi.com. Retrieved 17 September 2014.
  2. ^ "Sree Kerala Varma leads in D-zone fete". The Hindu. Retrieved 17 September 2014.
  3. ^ "Sree Kerala Varma College, Thrissur". Indcareer. 4 January 2008. Retrieved 17 September 2014.
  4. ^ "The tricky winger of Sree Kerala Varma". The New Indian Express. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 17 September 2014.
  5. ^ "Sree Kerala Varma College". old.keralavarma.ac.in. Retrieved 22 March 2025.
  6. ^ Sree Kerala Varma College - Official Website
  7. ^ Sree Kerala Varma College - Historical Background
  8. ^ Sree Kerala Varma College - Historical Background
  9. ^ Sree Kerala Varma College - Historical Background
  10. ^ MyCIndia - College Details
  11. ^ Collegedunia
  12. ^ Kerala Varma College
  13. ^ Collegedunia
  14. ^ Collegedunia
  15. ^ Collegedunia
  16. ^ Shiksha
  17. ^ Sree Kerala Varma College Official Website
  18. ^ Sree Kerala Varma College
  19. ^ The Campus Life Online
  20. ^ Instagram
  21. ^ Sree Kerala Varma College
  22. ^ "Maya S | Sree Kerala Varma College". old.keralavarma.ac.in. Retrieved 8 January 2025.
  23. ^ "പ്രശസ്ത ഫോക്ക് ലോറിസ്റ്റ് സി.ആർ.രാജഗോപാലൻ അന്തരിച്ചു". Kairali News | Kairali News Live. 31 January 2022.
  24. ^ Kerala Kaumudi (17 November 2023). "Kerala High Court Issues Notice in Sree Kerala Varma College Election Case".
  25. ^ The Hindu (22 November 2023). "Backlash Against Principal Over Suspension of Recount at Sree Kerala Varma College".
  26. ^ Manorama Online (18 June 2019). "SFI Poster Controversy in Kerala".
  27. ^ The New Indian Express (15 October 2021). "Obscene Posters in Kerala College Spark Nationalism Debate".
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