PRAKKULAM

Proposals to the prosperity of Prakkulam

2010-05-13T11:58:00.000-07:00

Ashtamudi Backwaters Tourist Map

1. Construction of a bridge over Ashtamudi lake which will links between: Prakkulam and Anchalummoodu (via Mukkathu kadavu) OR Prakkulam and Aravila/Pallikkodi, which will later connect to the upcoming By-pass OR Prakkulam and Kavanadu kadavu (links to NH-47). One among these connection bridges will substantially benefit the progress of the village.

2. Sambranikodi, the scenic tip of Prakkulam, is the fist destination point of the Ashtamudi Backwaters Tourism. The timely and frequent maintenance of the boat jetty, and the main road which connects Prakkulam to Kanjaveli, the main township of Thrikkaruva Grama Panchayath is very essential.

Serene Sambranikodi

2010-02-23T03:56:00.001-08:00

A view from from Sambranikodi boat jetty

Sambranikodi lies in the extreme south-western tip of Prakkulam. The daily 'kadathu' (canoe service), starts from this scenic place and ends at Kavanadu, a land shore near the National Highway (NH-47). It is one of the must-be-seen tourist spot in the Ashtamudi backwaters system and is one among the boat jetty of Kollam-Alappuzha boat Cruise This eight hour trip is the longest backwater cruise in Kerala. The daily Kollam - Alappuzha Boat service (KSWTC) starts from Kollam at 10.30 a.m and ends at 6.30 p.m. in Alappuzha, which passes through the backwaters of Ashramum, Sambranikodi, Ashtamudi, Amruthapuri, Alumkadavu, Kayamkulam lake, Thrikkunnappuzha, Thottapally, Kumarakodi, Pampa river, Kuttanadu, Karumadi etc. There are also some services like Kollam-Guhanandapuram, Kollam-Kadapuzha & Kollam- Muthiraparambu operates from the Kollam Boat jetty.

In 2008, Sambranikodi is recognized as an important place in Ashtamudi Tourist Map. The State Government has accorded administrative sanction for the Rs 5.38-crore Ashtamudi Backwaters Tourism Development Project. The project will benefit to Kollam boat jetty, Thoppilkadavu, Sambranikodi, Veerabhadra Swami Temple, Pattamthuruthu, Palliyathuruthu and Monroethuruthu.

A Photo essay...

2010-01-14T08:38:00.000-08:00

Sun set at Prakkulam

'One Man Fishing' at Sambranikodi kadavu

Sun-rays pierce through palm leaves

Coconut palms along the bank

Some 'tourists' at Sambranikodi Boat jetty

Prakkulam Muraleedharan

2010-01-14T07:42:00.000-08:00

Prakkulam Muraleedharan (1935--2012), was one among the main driving force behind the progress and development of Prakkulam. Some of his social achievements (during the year from 1955 to 1995) include:

(1) Development of the tarred-road and road transport service in Prakkulam (from Kanjaveli junction to Sambranikodi kadavu). (2) Refined and maintained the service of two KSRTC buses in Kollam-Prakkulam by-route. (3) Manpower behind the establishment of Prakkulam Post Office. (4) Organized many social and cultural events, which made Prakkulam made into fame. (5) Founder / Organizing secretary of Societies, Organizations and Institutions viz., Prakkulam Coir co-operative society, Prakkulam Milk co-operative society, Kollam unit of Kerala Balajanasakhyam, Prakkulam Friends Club, Prakkulam unit of UNESCO sponsored Children’s Nutrition Programme, Chachaji Youth Center, Chachaji Mahila Samajam, Chachaji Park (In 1975, Mr T. K. Divakaran, the then Minister of Public Works, had sanctioned a 3.45 cent land at the end of Kanjaveli-Sambranikodi road, for the development of this children's park. The Minister had sent this sanction letter to him as a wedding-gift for his marriage!), Sree Narayana Sandesa Pracharana Sabha, International Center for Study and Development etc. (6) Refined the Sambranikodi-Kavanadu Kadathu (canoe service). (7) The establishment of ‘Samranikodi Eco-tourist Centre’ is his long cherished dream. His painstaking efforts highly helped Sambranikodi came into light in the Ashtamudi backwaters tourist Map. In 1976, he raised the first voice on Sambranokodi Development Programme. He devoted his major social life in this dream project. He has made discussions with higher authorities and organized some public meetings with regard to this issue.

A picture perfect of Ashtamudi lake from Sambranikodi

His mission and vision: All these selfless efforts were made with his collective social vision, and without aiming at any political interests. In the early years, the Revolutionary Socialist Party (RSP--Sreekandan Nair fraction) helped Mr Muraleedharan a lot to execute his social work. After the party split-up, he broke all the ties with politics and completely involved in the social works only. His silent but serious efforts were instrumental in kindling interest in socio-politics primarily among some leading political leaders of Kollam. His vision was ‘Politics is to be society-welfare and not be self-welfare’. His entire life (social-professional-personal) and dreams are exclusively build-up for the well-being of Prakkulam village, and he retired from his 40 years of active social service (retired from Govt. Service in 1990). He was a true communist (no self gain) and Gandhian (not luxurious) in action. He was the life member of Kerala sangeetha Nataka Academi

His dream comes true? : In 2008, Sambranikodi is recognized as an important place in Ashtamudi Backwaters Tourist Map. The State Government has accorded administrative sanction for the Rs 5.38-crore Ashtamudi Backwaters Tourism Development Project. The project will benefit to Kollam boat jetty, Thoppilkadavu, Sambranikodi, Veerabhadra Swami Temple, Pattamthuruthu, Palliyathuruthu and Monroethuruthu. Now, the development activities on Sambranikodi Tourism is in progress.

His motto: Think about Universal and act in Village.
Epilogues: (1) In the ‘Era of IPR & Patents’, all human efforts should be recorded and documented. But the Eastern ideology believes in the ‘Beauty of patience’ and ‘Devotion in action without aiming rewards’ (Bhagavat Gita ).
(2) Social activity is entirely different from Political activity? Social activist is 'straightforward' and earns nothing but self-satisfaction. A political activist is 'flexible' and power monger. (Politics is the last resort of squandrels ! ~ G. Bernad Shaw)

A panoramic peninsula in Ashtamudi lake

2010-01-14T07:16:00.000-08:00

PRAKKULAM, a sub-village of Thrikkaruva, and is one among the ‘eight peninsula’ of beautiful Ashtamudi Lake. The other peninsulas are Perumon, Vellimon, Ashtamudi, Kadavoor, Munroe Islands, Thekkumbhagam and Padappakkara. These eight sub-villages lie as the eight 'arms' in to the lake, and hence the name, 'Ashtamudi kayal' (means ‘eight armed lake’)*. Prakkulam lies in the extreme west to Kollam district, and 15 km away from Kollam town. Administratively, it is included in Thrikkaruva Grama Panchayathu which comprises eight wards of Prakkulam village, Inchavila village and Ashtamudi village. Main Township in Thrikkaruva is Kanjavely--the junction of Ashtamudi & Prakkulam. Sambranikodi kadavu, Manalil Temple, Ippuzha Church, Mukkathu kadavu etc. are the important places of Prakkualm.

* The 'Ashtamudi' is otherwise known as '8 creeks' of the lake viz., Thevally lake, Kandachira lake, Kureepuzha lake, Thekkumbhagam lake (near Prakkulam ), Kallada lake, Perumon lake, Kumbalathu lake and Kanjarot lake (a suitable explanation).