It is my considered view that the cornerstone of any development/growth is EDUCATION and the dream of 'inclusive growth' can be attained primarily only through education. It is with this view in mind that I strove to achieve and was able to get IGNOU to establish their Regional Centre for Malabar at Vatakara. I do consider this one of my major achievements. The 'backward' Vatakara constituency can now boast of hosting the 'Regional Centre' of the prestigious IGNOU, the largest University of distant education, which caters to six districts of Malabar.

I always believed that education was the only means for emancipation. As a direct offshoot of the Vision Vatakara 2025 and as promised by Dr. Rajashekaran Pillai, the then IGNOU Vice Chancellor, IGNOU established a Community College, directly run by IGNOU, at Maniyoor (Vatakara), inaugurated by Minister of Defence, Sri A.K.Antony. This was a new concept in expanding the reach of education to people even in the remote corners of the Malabar region. The Community College, with its various skill-based modules, is expected to offer opportunities for education to thousands of pupils from all hues and of all ages, including those who have had to discontinue their studies for various reasons.

This was realization of a long cherished dream. As Member of Parliament from Cannannore for five consecutive terms I was able to bring in 4 Kendriya Vidhyalayas at Mangattuparamba, Kannur and Payyannur and . Vatakara Parliamentary constituency had no Kendriya Vidhalaya- one of the prime institutions for good basic education. Hence my first endeavours was to get a Kendriya Vidhyala for my constituency.

After establishing a Kendriya Vidhyalaya at Thalasseri I continued my endeavour and am grateful to the HRD Minister for sanctioning one more Kendriya Vidhyalaya to be located at Vatakara. The proposal is awaiting allocation of land.

As a result of constantly pursuing of various developmental issues pertaining to the Railway Stations in Vatakara Parliamentary Constituency by Shri Mullappally Ramachandran with the Ministry of Railways, the General Manager, Southern Railway, vide his letters dated 18.6.2012, has conveyed the following decisions and progress reports:-

1. Vatakara Railway Station:

• Vatakara, a ‘B’ Category Adarsh/Model Station is likely to be upgraded as ‘A’ Category during 2012-13, based on which additional facilities would be provided in a phased manner.  The major passenger amenity works proposed are as under:-
  • Face-lifting of station building and improvements to circulating area;
  • Extension and raising of Platform-2 to hold 24 coaches and construction of Platform-3 to hold 24 coaches;
  • Work on 3rd Platform is to be commenced immediately;
  • Provision of platform shelter for 4 bays length each on both platforms, and 10 bays of mini-shelters;
  • Counter Communication Systems at Booking and Reservation Counters; and
  • Improvement to lighting by providing high-mast lights in circulating area.
• Provision of VIP Lounge will be considered when the Station is upgraded.

1. Thalassery Railway Station::

• Thalsssery, an 'A' Category Adarsh/Model Station, will be provided the following additional facilities/passenger amenities:-
  • Face-lifting of station building and improvements to circulating area;
  • Counter Communication Systems at Booking/ Reservation Counters;
  • Additional seating arrangements on platforms with 3-seater chairs;
  • Provision of International Standard Signage Boards; and
  • Improvement to lighting by providing high-mast lights in circulating area
• 12 bays of mini-shelters on the existing platforms sanctioned
• Sanctioned stoppage for 22851/22852 Santragachi-Mangalore Weekly Vivek Express at Thalassery w.e.f. 20.05.2012.
• PRS Centres at Thaliparamba and Perambra have been sanctioned under 'MPs 100 PRS' Scheme on the recommendation of Shri Mullappally Ramachandran, MoS(Home) and Shri K. Sudhakaran, MP.
• Cloak Room to be shifted to PF-1, adjacent to Booking Office and to function round-the-clock.

1. Quilandy Railway Station:

• Quilandy, a 'D' Category Adarsh Station will be upgraded as 'B' Category during 2012-13, based on which additional facilities would be provided in a phased manner. The following passenger amenity works have been sanctioned, which will be taken up according to availability of funds:-
  • Raising of rail and medium-level platform to high level;
  • Provision of shelter for 4 bays length on downline platform; and
  • Roof-covering of Foot Over Bridge.

1. Other achievements include-:

• Grant of Rs.1.3 crore for Model Polytechnic at Vatakara
• Grant of Rs. 4.5 Crore for development of Chombala Harabour