Kerala House

Last updated • 7 min readFrom Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia

Kerala House
KERALA HOUSE.png
Kerala house, Delhi - Visit During WCI 2016 (5).jpg
Cochin House, the main building of the Kerala House complex
Kerala House
General information
Construction started1903;120 years ago (1903)
Completed1911;112 years ago (1911)
Cost2.5 crore
Owner Kingdom of Cochin Cochin Maharaja (former)
Government of Kerala (present)
ManagementHon. Resident Commissioner of Kerala to Government of India
Technical details
Floor area1,000 m2 (11,000 sq ft)
Lifts/elevators5
Design and construction
Main contractor Sobha Singh
Other information
Number of rooms66
Website
http://www.gokdelhi.kerala.gov.in/

28°37′N77°13′E / 28.62°N 77.21°E / 28.62; 77.21 Kerala House is the official state mission of Government of Kerala at New Delhi. Each state of India has to maintain a statutory representative and state mission house in the capital to liaison with the Central Government on behalf of the state.

Contents

The complex belongs to the Kerala state government, which is represented by Hon. Resident Commissioner of Kerala state administration. The complex is located in the heart of New Delhi city at Jantar Mantar Road. The current Resident commissioner is Shri. Puneeth Kumar IAS, a senior IAS official. [1]

History

The original main structure is the Cochin House, which was the residence of the Maharaja of Cochin whenever he visited the capital city for sessions of the Chamber of Princes. Built by Khushwant Singh's grandfather Sujan Singh and his father Sobha Singh in 1911, the house is known as 'Vyukunt'. It was from here that Sobha Singh supervised the construction of the Rashtrapati Bhavan, Parliament House as well as the North and the South blocks as a senior contractor. Due to rising debts, Sobha Singh sold the palace to Cochin Maharaja H.H Rama Varma who came to Delhi to attend the Chamber of Princes in year 1920.

In 1927, the Cochin Government decided to construct an annex next to the main palace to accommodate an office facility and staff quarters. By 1940, on request of the Government of British India, the annex building was handed over to the government to accommodate the war offices of India. From 1942-1945, the building became the temporary office of the Political Representative of the United States of America to British India (de facto American Embassy). In 1945, the government of India handed over the building back to the Cochin Government.

After Independence, when Kochi joined with the Indian Union, the house became the state property of the Kerala government and chose to adopt it as 'Kerala House', a permanent mission of the state to the Central Government.

Another structure which is administered by Kerala House is Travancore House, the former residence of the Maharaja of Travancore, located close to Kerala House.

Administration

Modern annex of Kerala House Kerala house.jpg
Modern annex of Kerala House
Conference room Kerala House Conference Hall, new Delhi.jpg
Conference room

The Kerala House belongs to Kerala State Public Works Department. The house is administered by the Controller of Kerala House, who reports to Hon. Resident Commissioner [2] Currently Kerala House offers accommodation facility to members of assembly and other politicians from Kerala who visit New Delhi on official duty.

The controller is assisted by a chief administrative officer and various section officers and assistants. The house has three major divisions functioning

Liaison Wing is headed by the Liaison Officer and is assisted by seven Assistant Liaison Officers. This office is responsible for follow up and co-ordination of various matters/projects/schemes of Government of Kerala with Government of India including release of funds etc. This wing also looks after appointments of State Ministers and Officials with various Union Ministers and Officers.

M.Ps Cell

An M.Ps Cell is functioning in Kerala House to cater the official needs of M.Ps from Kerala. This Cell is also headed by Liaison Officer and is assisted by Assistant Liaison Officers.

Law Wing

A Law Wing headed by the Law Officer and assisted by an Assistant is functioning in Kerala House to effectively take up legal matters of Govt.of Kerala with the High Court, Supreme Court and other courts in Delhi.

PWD Wing

PWD Wing; headed by Assistant Executive Engineer and assisted by Assistant Engineer and Overseers is functioning in Kerala House for maintenance and repair works of Kerala House. [3]

Kerala Information Office, Kerala House , New Delhi is headed by Deputy Director of Information and Public Relations Department and is functioning in Kerala House for co-ordination works with Media and to look after the PR requirements of the State Government, including the conduct of various cultural programmes. This office organizes press conferences, issues press releases, video footages , photographs and other media coverage activities for Chief Minister, State Ministers and other Government Programmes. Information office is also the co-ordinating agency for the state in major events like India International Trade Fair, Republic Day Parade etc.

Tourism Information Office

A Tourism Information Office headed by the Deputy Director and assisted by a Tourist Information Officer is functioning in Travancore Palace located at K.G Marg to cater the needs of tourists visiting Kerala.

Norka Cell

A Norka Cell headed by the Additional Secretary and assisted by a Joint Secretary/Deputy Secretary and a NRK Development Officer is functioning in Travancore Palace, K.G.Marg to pursue and follow up issues relating to non resident Keralites with the various ministries of Government of India. NORKA wing facilitate attestation of certificates sent from various attestation centres of Kerala in various embassies, and also address the needs of non-resident Malayalees to the extent possible.

Malayala Bhasha Padana Kendram (Malayalam Learning Centre)

This is a project initiated jointly by various Malayali Associations in Delhi and Government of Kerala. The project envisages to impart Malayalam literacy and cultural heritage amongst the new generation of Malayalee community in Delhi and adjacent area. Central office of padana Kendra is established at Travancore Palace.

Cauvery Cell

Cauvery Cell of the Water Resources Department is functioning at the Travancore Palace basically to follow up the Cauvery Water Dispute with the Cauvery Tribunal. Nowadays the cell is more engaged with the Mullaperiyar Dam issue.

KSEB Liaison Office This office liaises with concerned Central Ministries and offices on behalf of Kerala State Electricity Board.

Travancore House Art Gallery

Travancore House, located at K.G Marg was the erstwhile Palace of Travancore Kingdom in the heart of the Capital city. The building has been categorized as a heritage building by NDMC. The effort of the state government is to transform this heritage building into a cultural complex and to be a window to Kerala for the outside world. As part of this perspective, an Art Gallery has been set up in the Travancore House.

Resident Commissioner

The Resident Commissioner is the head of all State Government Offices functioning in New Delhi. The Office of the Resident Commissioner, Kerala House, New Delhi was set up in 1964. There is an Additional Resident Commissioner in the rank of Secretary to Government of Kerala to assist the Resident Commissioner.

Structure

Guest apartments Kerala house, Delhi - Visit During WCI 2016 (2).jpg
Guest apartments

The guest house in Kerala House consists of two Blocks. The Main Block part of the annex building having 33 rooms, including the three VIP Suits and Additional Block having 30 rooms mainly used for families of officials and staff of Kerala House. Rooms are allotted to visiting MPs, MLAs, Government officials on duty, Judges and Judicial officials etc. In some cases rooms are also allotted to private individuals, based on government directives or proper references.

The historic Cochin House has been renovated to restore its classic beauty. The palace has been exclusively reserved accommodating Governor of Kerala, Ministers and VIPs of higher protocol ranking. The Palace features 7 suites and 3 rooms apart from 2 security quarters.

Apart from this a 48 bed Dormitory is available at Travancore House complex. Travancore House features a cultural museum, office of Kerala tourism and reception facility for tourists, a state hall accommodating 100 guests and an amphitheater for 250 delegates.

Guest House Canteen

The GH Canteen- Samrudhi serves traditional Kerala cuisines to all its residents and outsiders. The canteen also serves other cuisines and prepare as per order, apart from buffet. The canteen serves both vegetarian and non vegetarian preparations.

Other facilities

The Guest House offers 24-hour house-keeping and room service facility, a medical clinic with resident doctor, a state-of-the-art Conference room & media room, a Business center, Steward and laundry services, in addition to a Tourist reception center and Travel desk.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Travancore</span> Kingdom in southern India from 1729 to 1949

The Kingdom of Travancore, also known as the Kingdom of Thiruvithamkoor, was an Indian kingdom from c. 1729 until 1949. It was ruled by the Travancore Royal Family from Padmanabhapuram, and later Thiruvananthapuram. At its zenith, the kingdom covered most of the south of modern-day Kerala and the southernmost part of modern-day Tamil Nadu with the Thachudaya Kaimal's enclave of Irinjalakuda Koodalmanikyam temple in the neighbouring Kingdom of Cochin. However Tangasseri area of Kollam city and Anchuthengu near Attingal in Thiruvananthapuram were parts of British India.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kingdom of Cochin</span> Monarchy in India (before 12th century–1949)

The Kingdom of Cochin, named after its capital in the city of Kochi (Cochin), was a kingdom in the central part of present-day Kerala state. It commenced at the early part of the 12th century and continued to rule until 1949, when the monarchy was abolished by the Dominion of India.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Padmanabhapuram</span> Municipality in Tamil Nadu, India

Padmanabhapuram is a town and a municipality near Thuckalay in Kanyakumari district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. As of 2011, the town had a population of 21,342.

Paliath Achan or Paliyath Achan is the name given to the male members of the Paliam royal family, a Menon royal family from the Indian state of Kerala that ruled over Chendamangalam, Vypin, parts of Thrissur and regions that were under the erstwhile Kingdom of Villarvattom. The family had palaces & forts in these regions but their capital and primary residence remained in Chendamangalam. Although, they were Rajas in these areas(collectively known as the Paliam swaroopam) and pledged their obeisance to the Maharajah of Kingdom of Cochin (Kerala), they were placed above the post of the Princes of Kingdom of Cochin. This was because the Achans had held hereditary rights to the prime ministership of Cochin and effected a treaty with the Dutch East India Company(to oust the Portuguese East India Company that had control over the Kingdom of Cochin) which placed him second in position to the Maharajah of Kingdom of Cochin and sometimes exerting more power than the king.

The Temple Entry Proclamation was issued by Maharaja Chithira Thirunal Balarama Varma on November 12, 1936. The Proclamation abolished the ban on the so-called 'low caste people' or avarnas from entering Hindu temples in the Princely State of Travancore, now part of Kerala, India.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kerala High Court</span> High Court in Kerala, India

The High Court of Kerala is the highest court in the Indian state of Kerala and the Union territory of Lakshadweep. It is located in Kochi. Drawing its powers under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, the High Court has the power to issue directions, orders and writs including the writs of habeas corpus, mandamus, prohibition, quo warranto and certiorari for ensuring the enforcement of the Fundamental Rights guaranteed by the Constitution to citizens or for other specified purposes. The High Court is empowered with original, appellate and revisional jurisdiction in civil as well as criminal matters, and the power to answer references to it under some statutes. The High Court has the superintendence and visitorial jurisdiction over all courts and tribunals of inferior jurisdiction covered under its territorial jurisdiction.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kochi City Police</span> Police force of Indian city, Kochi

Kochi City Police (KCP), officially the Kochi City Police , is the police force of the Indian city of Kochi. The force is headed by a Police Commissioner, an IPS officer. The city police was reorganized as Metro Police force, on 1 April 1966, after forming City Corporation of Cochin. Kochi City Police is one of the most advanced police force, considering the strategic importance of the city.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Velu Thampi Dalawa</span> Diwan of Travancore

Velayudhan Chempakaraman Thampi ofThalakulam (1765–1809) was the Dalawa or Prime Minister of the Indian kingdom of Travancore between 1802 and 1809 during the reign of Bala Rama Varma Kulasekhara Perumal. He is best known for being one of the earliest individuals to rebel against the British East India Company's authority in India.

The Kerala Public Service Commission (KPSC) is a body created by the Constitution of India to select applicants for civil service jobs in the Indian state of Kerala according to the merits of the applicants and the rules of reservation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kerala Tourism Development Corporation</span> Public sector undertaking

The Kerala Tourism Development Corporation (KTDC) is a public sector undertaking that conducts and regulates the tourism activities in the Indian state of Kerala. The KTDC is headquartered at Thiruvananthapuram and has offices across all the districts of Kerala. The agency also operates hotels, resorts, and tourist rest houses in key locations in the state. Its official slogan is "Official host to God's own country." It is one of the most profitable ventures of the Kerala government.

Raj Bhavan is the official residence of the governor of Kerala. It is located in the capital city of Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala. Built in 1829 as Palace Guest house of Travancore Government Guest, this heritage structure hosts the present governor of Kerala, Arif Muhammad Khan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Government of Kerala</span> Democratically elected body of Kerala

The Government of Kerala, also known as the Kerala Government, is the administrative body responsible for governing Indian state of Kerala. The government is led by a chief minister, who selects all the other ministers. The chief minister and their most senior ministers belong to the supreme decision-making committee, known as the cabinet.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">College of Engineering, Cherthala</span>

The Government College of Engineering, Cherthala is an engineering college in the state of Kerala, India, established by Government of Kerala in 2004, under the propitious of the Institute of Human Resources Development (IHRD) and is recognized by the All India Council for Technical Education, New Delhi. The college is affiliated to APJ Abdul Kalam Technological University.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ethnic groups in Kerala</span>

The population of Kerala, India is a heterogenous group that comprises many ethnic groups that originated in other parts of India as well as the world, with distinctive cultural and religious traditions. While the majority of Keralites speak the Malayalam language, various ethnic groups may speak other languages as well.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kerala Public Works Department</span> Government agency in Kerala, India

Kerala Public Works Department (KPWD) is a department under the government of the state of Kerala, India. It manages the construction and maintenance of civil structures owned by the government viz; government buildings, government owned hospitals, roads, bridges etc. The KPWD was formed in 1956 following reorganization of states.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Travancore House</span> Building in New Delhi

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cochin House</span>

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kerala Police</span> Law enforcement agency for Kerala, India

The Kerala Police is the law enforcement agency for the Indian state of Kerala. Kerala Police has its headquarters in Thiruvananthapuram, the state capital. The motto of the force is "Mridhu Bhave Dhrida Kruthye" which means "Soft in Temperament, Firm in Action" in Sanskrit.

Kerala State Housing Board is a Kerala governmental group that provides direction and planning in housing activities. It was established under Act 19 of 1971.

References

  1. "Kerala State Portal".
  2. "Offices and Officials". Archived from the original on 21 July 2011. Retrieved 15 May 2011.
  3. "Guest House and Related Facilities". Archived from the original on 21 July 2011. Retrieved 15 May 2011.