I feel a tinge of pride mixed with humility before the supreme power that has helped me develop from a boy in a backward village of Malabar, Kerala, into a person worthy of representing the masses in an august House –the Lok Sabha- The House of People in the Indian Parliament.

Five times in a row I was returned to power under the banner of the Indian National Congress from Cannannore which is known as a strong Communist Marxist bastion. Cannannore of 1984 was extremely backward, with no signs of development in any sphere. However, the constituency was without doubt political.

My debut in Parliament: Having won the peoples mandate I knew I must fulfill my responsibilities as their representative in Parliament. My maiden speech in the House was on the Railway Budget. While accepting the yeomen service rendered by the Railway department I placed on record the many shortcomings and possibilities of the railways in Kerala. The Tellichery – Mysore Railway Line Survey had a prime place in my speech. Need for doubling of railway lines, urgency for Railway overbridges to remove the bottlenecks on the National Highway, requirement of production/service installations of the Railways in Kerala, to provide employment opportunities etc. were covered in detail.

As regards my humble contributions to the development of the Constituency I represented I could list quite a few without being exhaustive. Before I do so I must mention that the service that gave me greatest satisfaction was the timely aid I was able to secure from the Prime Minister’s fund for hundreds of deserving patients. This was not restricted to my constituency. Plea of any deserving patient who, not able to go in for life saving treatment for want of funds alone, was duly attended. With Rajivji at the helm of the Govt. at the Centre, I was fortunate to be able to secure maximum help.

Developmental activities include:

1. The Industrial Growth Centre.
2. The Provident Fund Regional Office.
3. The FM radio station (rare in the early 1980s).
4. The high power TV transmitter at Kannur
5. The low power TV transmitters at Mahe and Mananthody, ensuring International games coverage.
6. Three Kendriya Vidhyalayas – at Mangattuparamba, Kannur & Payyannur
7. Mapila Bay Fishing Harbour at Kannur.
8. Chombala Fishing Harbour in my village in Vatakara.
9. Co-operative Management Institute.
10. Retention of Aralam Farm
11. Cannannore Airport project.
12. Railway Platform and amenities development- The second computerized booking centre in Kerala.
13.  Railway gates to reach remote places away from the townships.
14. Retention of Army Hospital.
15. Ensured better price for Rubber.
16.  Declared minimum price for ginger.
17. Horticulture development.
18.  Proposal to declare Coconut as an oilseed with all related benefits.

I will be justified if I say that all my time and attention I gave to my constituency that had so sincerely returned me to the Lok Sabha. Except for the time I had to attend the Parliament Session, I spent all my time in and around my constituency. I can rightfully claim that what we see as signs of development in Cannannore are chiefly my doings.