Social Impact

Appa Kunnumal Nair was a colossus who straddled the industrial landscape of Azhikode and was popularly known as "Raja Rajeswari A.K. Nair". A Karma yogi par excellence! V. P. Menon, Former Secretary to the Govt. of India, rightly said, "To start a business with Rs. 10,000/-and succeed is fine, but A.K.Nair succeeded without any investment and by sheer hard work, which is a remarkable achievement!"

An enterprising industrialist, he founded the Raja Rajeswari Weaving Mills, Kannur, in 1920. He won several awards from the State Govt. for the highest exports in the Handloom sector, and once continuously for three years. He was Founder Director of quite a few Limited companies, namely, Baliapatam Tile Works Ltd, Kannur Spinning and Weaving Mills Ltd, Malabar Dyeing and Finishing Mills Ltd. and Kannur Printing Works Private Limited. He was also the Founder President of Azhikode Weavers Coop Society Ltd.

He was the No.1 member of Azhikode Nanaya Sangha, which went on to become Azhikode Service Co-Op Bank. Being a Visionary, A.K.Nair, as Chairman, formed Aikya Nanaya Sangham in 1944, which started functioning as a Co-operative store. Other management committee members were Kuttichi Ramunny, A.P.Krishnan and M.V.Narayanan Nambiar. A.K.Nair was the first member of the Azhikode Service Co-operative Bank. In 1960, the Bank management bought land to construct a building. The foundation stone was laid by A.K.Nair. This was registered as an Agricultural Co-operative society, and thus, Azhikode Co-operative Bank Limited No: F1149 started functioning. In 1964, A.K.Narayanan, Registrar of Co-operative societies, Trivandrum, inaugurated the building.

He gave land and promoted the first High School in Azhikode, which is now a Higher Secondary School. Azhikode High School has now completed 75 glorious years and is now known as Azhikode Higher Secondary School. The classes are from 5th standard till 12th standard with 2000 students, 91 teachers and 11 non-teaching staff. Presently, A.K.Nair's grandson, P.V.Somarajan, is the President, and V.Raghuram is the Secretary and Manager of the Azhikode Education Society, which manages the School. A.K.Nairs' grandson, T Premanand, is also a Director of the Azhikode Education Society.

A K Nair had tremendous Social heft and was a Pioneer in the social stratosphere of Kannur, although he never craved for power or position. As a social activist, he was known all over Kannur District. He was the Founder Member and President of North Malabar Chamber of Commerce for two consecutive years during 1966-67 and 67-68. He was the president of Chirakkal Taluk Handloom Factory Owners Association and a Member of the All India Coir Board, Govt. of India. As the President of the Citizen Rights Forum, he had initiated many social reforms. A.K.Nair was neither MLA, MP, nor a Minister, but he was the most sought-after person for the inauguration of a business venture or even a cultural function, which proved that he had the highest Social Acceptance. During the 1960s, if there was someone who had that importance in the society of Azhikode and Kannur, it was none other than our own Appa Kunnumel Nair.