The seeds of CRA germinated from the visit of two community members from Thiruvananthapuram in the year 1996. Few phone calls to known personnel in and around Cochin became a mini gathering. The need for unity among Reddiar Community members both at Cochin and the State was highlighted by the visiting members. Preliminary steps to form regional Associations were taken. Reddiar Community members settled in and around Cochin were contacted and the message passed on which was accepted by all as need of the hour. A meeting was scheduled and an adhoc committee composed of leading businessmen, professionals, educationalists etc were formed.
The adhoc committee members were:
- Prof. Renganath Reddiar
- Prof. Murugesan Reddiar
- Sri. R Suresh Reddiar
- Sri. K L Rajendran Reddiar
- Sri. B Raveendranath Reddiar
- Sri. Kesavan Reddiar
- Sri. Nagendran Reddiar
This committee also took upon the responsibility of preparing the bylaw and Registration with the Registrar of Co-op Societies. Management Guru Prof. Renganathan Reddiar was the guiding light for the above steps. A roadmap for future activities like fundraising , women participation, the unity programme etc were prepared. Smt. Saratha Rajendran was the torch bearer in bringing women forward and assured participation in all meets. A decision was taken to have the monthly executive committee meetings at members residences because it generated the feeling of oneness and shared hospitality extended irrespective of illusionary class bifurcation.
The first AGM was at Samooha Madam Hall in 1998. The lamp lighting was by our beloved Smt Ramachandru Ammal (Govindamma Parthas). Three resolutions were passed at the meet.
- To have a magazine as a mouth piece to air our views and communicate to all members in Cochin and in Kerala.
- To form an Educational Trust and venture into Educational Institutions like other communities in Kerala.
- To invite Sponsors for scholarships/awards to toppers in SSLC, Plus Two, Degree and Post graduate/Professional students.
There was immediate response and the following members came forward and offered awards in their parents’ name.
- Sri. L Rajkumar Reddiar – SSLC
- Sri. R Suresh Reddiar – Plus Two
- Sri.K.L. Rajendran Reddiar – Degree
- Sri. Nagendran Reddiar – Post Graduate/ Professional
- Sri. B Raveendranath Reddiar – Degree Professional
‘The Reddiar Mail’ name was finalized for the magazine after a lot of deliberations and the name was chosen from available options and registered in the name of CRA. The whole hearted support of Sri. Suresh Reddiar who volunteered to have it printed at the STR press in Cochin was appreciated by all. A kidstep was taken and the first copy with four pages was released and circulated among members. Response was immense and appreciations poured in and we all claimed it an instant success.
Subsequent AGMs were grand and more innovative steps were suggested.
- Need for an own premise for CRA
- Counseling to aspiring students in the community for choosing the desired course and careers.
With the meager fund in hand and the no strings attached support from Sri. B Raveendranath Reddiar and Sri. K L Rajendran Reddiar, the cherished dream became a reality and CRA became the proud owner of an office premise and was named after Smt. Polammal (Mother of Sri. Raveendranath Reddiar).
CRA grew leaps and bounds with active leadership of Sri. Raveendranath Reddiar and Sri. K L Rajendran Reddiar with the executive committee members standing shoulder to shoulder.
Leadership shifted from one shoulder to another but the unity mantra remained the same. Other leaders from sister units were eager to know the key to our success and made frequent visits here.
In the AGM of 2000, CRA got two propositions:
- A two weeks resident free treatment for one economically challenged in the Ayurveda Hospital owned by Sri S. Lakshminarayanan Reddiar at Cochin.
- A website named ‘Reddiars of Kerala’ was designed and hosted by Sri S. Lakshminarayanan Reddiar was launched and demonstrated.
As per the request of AKRF, our baby ‘The Reddiar Mail’ was transferred to AKRF to achieve statewide integration and communication of community members. Today the mail reached adulthood and reaches pan South India both in printed and digital form. Editorial contributions of Prof. Murugesan and team is laudable though he was out of bounds for a few years. The editorial board changed as per the needs of the environment prevailing at different stages.
Subsequent years were more eventful with hosting of three State Conference in the year 2002 at Hotel Abad Plaza under the Presidentship of Sri B. Raveendranath Reddiar and all Association leadership meeting was conducted at Hotel Abad Plaza with Power Point Presentation and audio video interaction and brought in Professionalism into CRA meets. Though path breaking suggestions like old age homes and monthly pensions to the needy were discussed in detail, the implementation still remains a pipe dream due to extraneous reasons.
Difference of opinion and miniscule bickering as in any other associations did not dither the flag of unity and is still flying high.
The Present CRA with Sri K.L.Rajendran Reddiar as Chairman and Sri. B Raveendranath Reddiar as President, Sri S. Lakshminarayanan Reddiar as Secretary and Sri. Kesavan Reddy as Treasurer are steering clear and guiding the society to a higher esteem.
Many leaders past and present have great vision for CRA and the community in total and toiling hard to achieve the goals set which we cherish.
We salute and offer our tribute to each and every departed member and they will remain in our hearts and prayers.
