KANNUR: Thalassery, popularly known as the land of three C’s – cricket, circus and cake – is gearing up for celebrating the 150th year of existence of its civic body. On its 150th year, Thalassery municipal council is organising 150 developmental activities and 150 cultural programmes to celebrate the feat. Thalassery municipal council was created on November 1, 1866 as per the Madras Act 10 of 1865 of the British Indian Empire.
The municipal council was initially known as Thalassery Commission and then Malabar collector G. M. Ballard was its first president. “Initially, only British officers were members of the council and they later started including prominent and powerful persons from the area in the council,” said historian T.B Seluraj. “The council had taken many progressive decisions including action against stray dog menace.” Thalassery also served as the capital of North Malabar due to its trade and important position strategically, he said. Thalassery municipal council chairman C.K. Ramesan told Deccan Chronicle that Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan will inaugurate the sesquicentennial celebration in the first week of October.
“We have already started many programmes as part of the celebrations,” he said. “One of the main projects is the ‘Onnam Class Onnam Tharam’ project where we shall upgrade all first standard classrooms in government-aided schools within the civic body limit with modern facilities. Seminars, cultural programmes, developmental activities, exhibitions, medical camps etc are being conducted as part of the celebrations.” The state government has also announced the revival of the Rs100 crore ‘Thalassery Heritage Project’ in the budget duing then 150th year.
