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 P. M. Paily Pillai (പി. എം. പൈലിപ്പിള്ള; 15 June 1921 – 1 July 2007) was a prominent politician, businessman and philanthropist from Kolenchery, Kerala. He and his elder brother, M. Chacko Pillai were among the main architects of the modern Kolenchery town. M. O. S. C. Medical College Hospital, St. Peter’s College, St. Peters Higher Secondary and Vocational Higher Secondary school, [http://www.sptkly.org/ St. Peter's Teacher’s Training Institute and B. Ed. College], Kothamangalam Mar Athanasius College of Engineering, the profusion of Governmental institutions in and around Kolenchery all stand witness to his visionary leadership.

Early life
P. M. Paily Pillai was the third of four children of Njattuthottiyil Mathu and Anna. He was born in Kolenchery (Travancore State, British India) on 15 June 1921. His father Mathu was a farmer, and a well-known ‘Paramparya Vaidyan’ (traditional Ayurvedic doctor). His mother Anna was fondly called ‘Cheroochi’ by all. After upper primary education from Kolenchery Middle School, he had to join Vadakara High School (near Koothattukulam) for higher studies, which was about 16 kilometres away from his home. There was not even a proper road to Vadakara in those days, and every day, he used to walk all this distance barefoot.

As a teacher
Paily Pillai passed ESLC (‘English School Leaving Certificate’) in 1937, which was considered a great accomplishment back then. He aspired to be a teacher because of the high esteem and admiration teachers were given in the society. As soon as he passed ESLC, he was appointed as a teacher in Peringol LP School. Till 1940, he worked in various schools run by the same management. In 1941, he joined Kolenchery Upper Primary school (which was very close to his home) as a teacher. It was a dream come true, he recalls in his autobiography. It was this life as a teacher that braced him for the tough challenges life threw at him later.

Paily Pillai’s simple, uneventful life as a teacher in the peaceful Kolenchery town took an irreversible turn when the manager of his school, Nechupadam C. U. Varkey (who was a top Government contractor and a planter in the Idukki High Ranges - he was the father of Synthite founder C. V. Jacob ) convinced him to start a one-teacher-school in the distant High Range town, Kallar (Paily Pillai later found that a single hotel existing there earned it the distinction of a ‘town’ tag! The nearest actual town, Neriamangalam, was 50 km. away). Varkey’s accounts of the sad plight of the illiterate Tamil workers of his estate moved the young, idealistic Paily Pillai to quit his job and move to Kallar. But running a single-teacher open-school without exams or proper institutional framework in the middle of a dense forest, turned out to be too disappointing for him. He was stranded in an alien terrain, far away from civilized world, and the prospects looked slim. He began contemplating a change of career.

Foray into construction business
Pallivasal hydro-electric project had two main dams – Kundala and Mattuppetty. The 2nd stage of Kundala dam construction was helmed by Paily Pillai’s elder brother, Chacko Pillai, who was a rising star in the construction field. Paily Pillai moved to Kundala and stayed with his brother after quitting the Kallar open school.

A chance acquaintance with an executive engineer in the Electricity Board led to his first (and only) government job – he was appointed as a sub-divisional clerk in the Electricity Board. It turned out to be a brief stint – by then, his mind was set on becoming a contractor. Though leaving the financial security of the government job was risky in those turbulent times, he did not think twice. He began assisting his brother, who imparted to him valuable insights on the construction business. Paily Pillai was being trained by one of the sharpest minds in the field.

Convinced of Paily Pillai’s remarkable intellect, aptitude and hardworking nature, Chacko Pillai encouraged him to take up a solo contract work. His first work as an independent contractor was to build a road on the top level of the catchment area of Kundala dam (around the dam). He completed the work well within the stipulated time – start of an illustrious career that spanned four decades. Important construction works helmed by him include: Mattuppetty dam (The first concrete dam in India, also young Paily Pillai’s first major solo contract – the concreting was done using a cableway, which was a first in Kerala), Thrissur Civil Station, Kothamangalam Mar Athanasius College, Power tunnel for Panniyar Hydro-Electric Project, Neryia Mangalam Power House at Panamkutty, Sabarigiri power tunnel(the tunnelling progress was an Asian record), Re-enforcement of Mullaperiyar Dam (Government of Tamil Nadu felicitated Paily Pillai for the efficient completion of the project) , Maniyar tunnel, Kadamamkunnu tunnel, Puthussery hill tunnel, Uthimoodu tunnel, Irattayar tunnel, Kallar tunnel, Kakkad tunnel, Vadasserikkara Aqueduct, Neendakara fishing harbour (the largest fishing harbour in Kerala state), Munambam Breakwater project, Kanakkankadavu Bridge Cum Regulator and Idamalayar Aqueduct.

Personal life
Paily Pillai married Saramma Mathew of Karingachira Malayil family in 1945. They had four children: Baby Paul (noted industrialist, engineer and film producer - passed away in 2012), Santha Ommen Panikkar, Dr. Leelamma Rajan (‘Mayil Vahanam’ Group of Companies), Babu Paul (businessman, film producer). After Saramma Mathew’s sad demise in 1968, Paily Pillai married Saramma Chacko of Kozhanchery Thevarvelil Palakunnathu family. They had two children – Annie Paul and Biju Paul.

Paily Pillai had always been an ardent admirer of his brother’s extraordinary vision and wisdom. All his life, Chacko Pillai’s suggestions were his guiding lights. The brothers were inseparable, and their mercurial rise in business and social life was the stuff of legends. He dedicates his autobiography ‘Safala Chinthakal’ to Chacko Pillai, saying, “All my capabilities came from him - I grew up watching, and learning from him. I am just my brother’s shadow. He is the source of all my strengths and skills.”

Politics
From the beginning of the 1950s, Paily Pillai had been an influential figure in Kerala politics, although he graciously turned down all invitations to run for the Parliament or even Kerala State assembly.

In 1959, ‘Vimochana Samaram’, the agitation against the E. M. S. Namboodiripad-led ministry was raging in Kerala and Paily Pillai jumped to the forefront. He was arrested on the 2nd day of the agitation itself, for picketing the Puthencruz sub-registrar office.

When the 1966 All India Congress Working Committee was held in Ernakulam, his Perumpillil buildings was the centre of all activities. During the course of the meeting, he came into close contact with all the national leaders of the time – Indira Gandhi, K. Kamaraj, Morarji Desai, S. Nijalingappa, Atulya Ghosh etc. He enjoyed close, lifelong associations with all the top United Democratic Front (Kerala) leaders of his time. K. C. Abraham, K. P. Madhavan Nair, A. K. Antony, Oommen Chandy, Vayalar Ravi, K. Karunakaran, Ramesh Chennithala, T. O. Bava, M. Kamalam, A. C. Jose, Paul P. Mani, Thennala Balakrishna Pillai, K. Sankaranarayanan, K. M. Mani, R. Balakrishna Pillai, P. C. Thomas, P. J. Joseph, T. M. Jacob, E. T. Mohammed Basheer, K. V. Thomas,... all these leaders were close to him.

Shortly after the 1965 AICC sessions, the iconic communist leader A. K. Gopalan jokingly observed in a party meeting, “K. P. C. C. is nothing but Kolenchery Paily Pillai Chacko Pillai Company!”. This oft-repeated quip clearly illustrates the influence the brothers wielded among the Congress leaders of the time.

Even though a staunch Congress supporter, Paily Pillai maintained close relations with top Communist leaders. C. Achutha Menon, E. K. Nayanar, P. K. Vasudevan Nair, M. N. Govindan Nair, T.K. Ramakrishnan, T. Sivadasa Menon etc. all held him in high esteem and gave unequivocal support to all his endeavours for the common good.

Kolenchery’s development
Paily Pillai held the office of Poothrikka Panchayath President from 1964 to 1986 (Elamkulam ward member, 1964-1991). He was also the Vadavucode Block Panchayath Development Committee chairman & an Ernakulam District Development Committee member at the same time. Coordinating all these duties, he played the most vital role in the development of the region.

Vadavukode Block Panchayath Office was the 1st government office in Kolenchery. Paily Pillai found the land and built the block building at his expense (the government did reimburse him, much later). Same was the case with the Kolenchery veterinary hospital. He was instrumental in bringing to life most of the governmental institutions in Kolenchery and its vicinity - Puthencruz Police Station, Irrigation offices, Inspection Bungalow, Sub-Treasury, Telecom offices, A. E. O. office, Poothrikka Panchayath office, Village office, Service Co-operative Society, Kolenchery village office, Electrical Sub-station, Poothrikka Panchayat Library, Magistrate court etc. Kolenchery-Poothrikka road was a private road made by Chacko Pillai – Paily Pillai brothers - the Government took possession of it later. A mini industrial estate in Choondi (the land for which was not acquired by government money) and a market in Kolenchery (now used as a bus stand) also bear witness to his foresight.

C. Achutha Menon Government successfully implemented a scheme for the homeless, named ‘Laksham Veedu Project’, which aimed to build 100 houses each in all the 1000 Panchayaths in Kerala. Poothrikka Panchayath, under Paily Pillai’s leadership, was the 1st among the 1000 Panchayaths to complete the construction of the 100 homes. The Prime Minister of India, Indira Gandhi flew down to Kolenchery and inaugurated the Laksham Veedu Project by handing out the key to the 1st house. All the state ministers, people’s representatives, government officials descended on Kolenchery to attend the mega event, which was the crowning moment in Paily Pillai’s political life.

In 1974, Poothrikka Panchayath was selected as the best Panchayath in Kerala, taking into account its exemplary performance in all areas of development. The development paradigm Poothrikka Panchayath had set by developing and efficiently administering health centres, libraries, roads, bridges, irrigation and electricity facilities, balawadis, ankanawadis, mahila samajams, farmers’ clubs, panchayat karshaka samitis, mini-industrial estate, farmers’ committees in all wards, conducting seminars and classes by agri-experts, etc., was enthusiastically emulated by all the local bodies of the region, epitomising the legendary ‘Kerala model of sustainable development’.

Community service, education
Paily Pillai had been, his entire life, a diligent warrior for his community, the believers of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church. Even though he was entrusted with myriads of responsibilities from all spheres of life, the services for the Church always took precedence. In his younger days, he used to work as a Sunday-School teacher. From 1960 onward, he was a member of the Malankara Sabha Managing Committee. When persuaded to assume the garb of the Sabha Secretary, he politely declined it, remembers Fr. Abraham Poovathumveettil. It was as a part of service to the community that Paily Pillai began to get involved in building educational infrastructure.

St. Peter and St. Paul's Church, Kolenchery, the famous shrine built in the 7th century, was  badly in need of complete renovation by the end of 1950s. Chacko Pillai - Paily Pillai brothers spearheaded the arduous reconstruction which started in 1961. The magnificent, cathedralesque construction was opened to devotees in two years.

From 1959, Paily Pillai took the reins of Kolenchery St. Peter’s High School. Under his stewardship, it blossomed into an outstanding institutional cluster, with branches like St. Peters Higher Secondary and Vocational Higher Secondary school, [https://www.sptkly.org/ St. Peter's Teacher’s Training Institute and B. Ed. Training College].

Paily Pillai was the founder-secretary of Kolenchery St. Peter’s college - a NAAC accredited ‘A’ grade college now. He stayed as secretary from its beginning in 1964 till 1991. His son Babu Paul chairs the college trust now.

M. O. S. C. Medical college hospital, started in 1970 with just 100 beds as M. O. S. C. Medical Mission Hospital, has grown into a sprawling 1100-bed multi super specialty behemoth, providing world-class healthcare to Ernakulam and neighbouring districts. This was the brain child of Chacko Pillai, who served as the hospital secretary till his death in 1987 (Chacko Pillai’s son, Joy P. Jacob is the hospital secretary at present). Paily Pillai was actively involved in the construction and development of the hospital. He served the hospital in an advisor’s role till his death in 2007.

Kothamangalam Mar Athanasius Arts and Science college construction was completed in just 6 months by Paily Pillai and his long-term partner Cheriya Pathrose. When the permission for an engineering college (Mar Athanasius College of Engineering) came through in 1961, it was started in the building Paily Pillai and team had built.

He lent enthusiastic support when Fr. Mathew Cherippurath started St. Paul’s school in Kolenchery. The school relied on his patronage whenever it needed assistance.

Cultural organizations
As Kolenchery grew into a hub of educational and economic activity, a slew of international organizations made their presence felt in Kolenchery’s cultural and humanitarian landscape. Paily Pillai keenly supported all such ventures – Y's Men International, YMCA, Lions Clubs International, Rotary International, The Brookside club, to name a few.

Kolenchery Y's Men International club got the ‘International Extension Award’ in 1979 when Paily Pillai was the club President. In 1980, ‘Elmer Crowe award for the Best District Governor’ was bestowed on him when he was the Y's Men International District Governor. He was made Y's Men International All India secretary in 1989 –1991. He bagged the ‘Y's Men International Best Regional Director Award’ for his exceptional leadership as the Mid-West India Regional Director (1998-1999). He was the Kolenchery YMCA President in 1983-84 and in 1985-86. In 1988 he took charge as the YMCA Regional Treasurer, and in 1991, the Regional Chairman and National Executive Committee member. Working in these pivotal positions, he was entrusted with key humanitarian missions such as the Wayanad Tribal welfare project (Chairman - 1991). He also had to manage projects like Mavelikkara boys’ home, Aluva Peniel hostel and Aluva YMCA International Centre.

Paily Pillai had visited United States, United Kingdom, Sri Lanka, Denmark, Netherlands, Singapore, Philippines, Bangkok, Hong Kong, Maldives, Jordan, Egypt and Italy. Most of these visits happened while he was serving these cultural organizations in various capacities.

He had a lifelong fascination with literature and arts. An aficionado of film, theatre, Kadhaprasangam, Ganamela and magic shows, he always found time to encourage emerging talents in the performing arts. The ‘Evergreen Hero’ Prem Nazir was a close friend of his, as were Kadhaprasangam legends Joseph Kaimaparamban and M. P. Manmadhan. He himself acted in some character roles in movies - most notable of them was the Chief Minister role in the Jayaram starrer Sarkar Dada (2005). Performing magic was a favourite pastime of his. In ‘Safala Chinthakal’, he fondly reminisces about his 2 hours-long magic performances.

Autobiography
His autobiography titled ‘Safala Chinthakal’ (സഫലചിന്തകൾ - 'Fruitful Thoughts') was published in 2006 by YMCA Publishing House. He dedicated it to his elder brother, M. Chacko Pillai.

Death
Paily Pillai was active in the public sphere until a few months before his death, even though he was suffering from age-related ailments. He passed away on 1 July 2007, at M. O. S. C. Medical college hospital, Kolenchery, aged 86. He was buried the next day at the St. Peter and St. Paul's Church, Kolenchery.