Latest news with #M.G.S.Narayanan
The Hindu
10-05-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
Work on Mananchira–Malapparamba Road to commence soon
The much-awaited development of the Mananchira–Vellimadukunnu Road is likely to begin soon, as the Public Works department has finalised the tender for the works. The department is planning to enter into a contract with Malappuram-based Midland Projects within two weeks, and the work will commence shortly after. In the first phase, the plan is to develop the stretch from the junction of Pavamani Road and Bank Road in Mananchira to the Malapparamba junction, where the road meets NH-66. The 5.32-km stretch is being developed at a cost of ₹80 crore. The road will be 8.5 metres wide, with a two-metre median at the centre and two-metre-wide footpaths on both sides. Additionally, there will be a half-metre-wide space on either side for gardening. The drainage and cable duct, both one metre in width, will run beneath the footpath. Around 350 streetlights will be installed on the median. The Malapparamba–Mananchira stretch is being developed under the City Road Improvement Project. Land acquisition for the project is mostly complete, except for a few small plots that remain under dispute. The project is the result of a long-pending public demand and nearly 15 years of persistent effort by the Mananchira–Vellimadukunnu Road Action Committee, headed by historian M.G.S. Narayanan, who passed away recently. The development of the Mananchira–Malapparamba stretch is expected to be completed by early 2026. However, the remaining portion from Malapparamba to Vellimadukunnu is to be developed by the National Highways Authority of India, as it forms part of National Highway 766 (Kozhikode–Kollegal).
The Hindu
26-04-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
MGS a key force behind the Muziris project, says Satheesan
Notwithstanding his strong disagreements with the identification of the Pattanam archaeological site as the ancient port of Muziris, historian M.G.S. Narayanan played a pivotal role in shaping the Muziris Heritage Project, recalls V.D. Satheesan, Leader of the Opposition and legislator from the Paravur constituency. 'I vividly remember his spirited arguments with fellow historians during the initial seminar on Muziris, held at North Paravur. He openly voiced his apprehensions, firmly stating that there was insufficient archaeological evidence to claim Pattanam as the ancient Muziris port,' Mr. Satheesan recalls. M.G.S. Narayanan consistently argued that Pattanam was not Muziris, and criticised the Kerala Council for Historical Research (KCHR) for what he believed were historical inaccuracies in their identification. He advocated for the use of 'Mahodaya'—a historically grounded name , instead of the Eurocentric 'Muziris.' According to him, it was Kodungalloor, the harbour town ruled by the Cheraman chiefs of ancient Tamizhakam, with their political center located inland at Karur, near modern-day Tiruchi, that truly held the identity of ancient Muziris. Yet, despite his theoretical differences, M.G.S. Narayanan never allowed his opposition to cloud his commitment to the Muziris Heritage Project. 'He was convinced of the existence of a thriving ancient port at Pattanam, which had trade links with over 34 countries. He recognised the evidence of a vibrant port culture in the region, unearthed during excavations,' Mr. Satheesan said. 'It was this conviction that led him to participate in the seminar on Muziris, even as he used the platform to publicly air his objections. As the organiser, I had to navigate between divergent scholarly opinions, but he respected my position too,' Mr. Satheesan added. He also recalled M.G.S. Narayanan's deep concern over the slow progress of the Muziris Heritage Project in the past decade. 'That indeed highlighted the historian's dedication to preserving Kerala's rich historical legacy,' noted
