Aranattukara Church - KCYM Unit

What is KCYM?

KCYM - the Kerala Catholic Youth Movement; as the acronym suggests is a group of socially committed catholic youth in Kerala. On verification of the decades of history, it is evident that KCYM marked its presence as a great corrective force in the social arena.

About the Beginning:

KCYM started its operations in the Parish in the year 1978. It has well defined aims and a written constitution. The members of the Movement draw their inspiration from all the invaluable contributions of Fr. Thomas Parekadan and Fr. Sebastian in the early days of the establishment of KCYM in the area.

An Outlook On the Activities:

The aim of the Kerala Catholic Movement of Aranattuakara is the perfect development of the catholic youth based on the vision of Christ, and the total liberation of the society. As a Movement it is committed to its ideals of spiritual emancipation, social liberation, fight against social evils, and righteous leadership.

The members of KCYM actively involve in liturgical and spiritual activities like Christmas and Easter celebrations in the church, Christmas crib competition, Trip to Velankanni; the shrine of Virgin Mary.

KCYM has a strong social commitment. In accordance with that it carries out activities of house visits, old age home visits, educations funds for the deserving students, helping the sick and needy, and awareness campaigns about “Eye Donation, to light the life of a blind person” and against social evils. They search for the abandoned and needy and minister to their needs.

For the personality development leading to social and cultural awakening in the youth, the Movement organizes inter-parish activities and competitions such as football tournament, chess tournament, quiz competition, caroms tournament, etc.

Remarkable Deeds:

The Malayalam drama “Kristhuvinde Aaram Thirumurivu” was staged in Kerala loosely based on “The Last Tempation of Christ.” This play was embroiled in a lot of controversy with the advocates of Christianity even taking to the streets to get the play banned. The protest by the KCYM members against the play eventually ruled in favor of banning the play.

The support given by the KCYM members to the protest against the disposal of waste in Laloor, campus politics, persecutions and attacks against the Christian missionaries, and

the awareness about the evils of alcoholism and drug abuse in the community in disparate ways by using street dramas are worth mentioning.

The substantial cost for the functions of the Movement is drawn from the funds contributed by the well wishers of the society, and the funds collected by entertainment shows like movies or dramas organized by the youth members, etc.

It should be noted that the activities of the members of the Kerala Catholic Youth Movement of Aranattuakara and their dedication to the welfare of the society is something that needs admiration, attention, and acceptance.

Functions Of The Vincent De Paul Society in Aranattukara

About St. Vincent De Paul Society:

The society of Saint Vincent De Paul is an international organization of Roman Catholic lay men and women of all ages, whose primary mission is to help the poor and less fortunate. The society was founded in 1833, by six university students in Paris under the patronage of St. Vincent de Paul. Today the society includes 900,000 memmbers spread among 46,000 confraternities in 133 countries of five continents.

The society’s purpose is to provide direct aid to those who suffer and to help individuals reduce and even eliminate the causes of their own suffering.

Starting Of Vincent De Paul Society In Aranattukara:

The community was spread to India in the year 1852, and on August 15, 1942, the St. Vincent De Paul Society for Men was established in Aranattuakara under the guidance of Chacko Master. The Society was recognized by the Paris General Council on November 29, 1948. To extend their hand in support for the functions of the Society, in the year 1992, the St. Vincent De Paul Society for Women was established by a group of young female individuals.

Functions Of The Vincent De Paul Society And The Vincentians:

The conference of St. Vincent De Paul society provides to the needs of the poor and the neglected irrespective of caste or creed. The functions mainly focus on Moral and practical support for the lonely and for families with problems, help for senior citizens, home visits, home help, health work, visiting the sick, physically and mentally challenged individuals, prison visiting and after care, Save A Family, and Education, etc.

The common denominator of all these initiatives, activities and undertakings is the desire to help the lost and the “have-nots” by listening, friendship, spiritual, moral and material support;

to give them back their dignity, to ensure their personal development, to give them back hope and if possible the joy of life.

At present the society take care of adopted families providing them with medicines and medical treatment. Funeral arrangements of the poor and the destitutes are made as and when the need arises.

Visits to the sick in hospitals, prison, and homes for the aged are made by the brothers and sisters.

During the season of the new academic year, the society provides new tailored uniforms and also the cost of education to deserving students in the Parish.

These projects entails substantial costs to them, which in turn is drawn from the funds that is contributed by the St. Mary’s Conference of Australia and St. Peter’s Conference of England for both St. Vincent De Paul Society For Women and Men respectively, the funds that Vincentians collect by way of Save A Family, from the contributions of the well wishers, and even every single vincentians also add their contributions.

During Sundays the Vincentians undertake the collection of rice from every single house in the Parish, which in turn they hand it over to the poor and needy.

This organization and these methods have proved their worth in the midst of all the sufferings our world is facing from time to time and it should be noted that every single Vincentian’s activity is done in a spirit of goodwill.

A retrospection to Aranattukara

History of a nation is the history of its people. Each country has its own history.

Numerous scientific researches are on to give us knowledge about how each of these nations evolved. These researchers are throwing light to different civilization, culture, lifestlye which extended hundreds of years in different parts of the world.

In school days children learn history of different nations, states, their origin and so on. But not much effort is made to know about the smaller sections that is how a small community evolved,


how a village was formed or even how a single family was formed or how is grow up to form large communities and so on.
People nowadays don't know anything about their family prior to one generation. They don't know where their roots are. Not much studies are done in this area. Also nobody has quality time to spend for such a research.

Aranattukara is an area situated in the northwest of Thrissur District.

Majority of the population are in to business and government jobs. It is a strong hold of
Christian community.

The contribution made by the popular Tharakan family to the development and well being of Aranattukara as a major port of Cochin is immense.
They have left their mark in every walks of life.

The city of Aranattukara has a full fledged history. The major lake route which connects the entire Cochin State passes through Aranattukara. History depicts it as a major port for national and international trading boats. Often the trading vessels carrying spices, silk, precious goods anchored in Aranattukara before leaving to its major destination.

In making Thrissur as present trading hub the role played by Aranattukara is not so small. Its worth to be noticed.

Description of Aranattukara can be seen in the Travalogue of B C Wards. He says, "On A D 1819 Nov 8th morning 8 am, I started from Aranattukara and the reached Kodungalur from there we moved to Cochin and reached around 11 am.

Even Royal yachts, housing boats halt before going to destination in Aranattukara.


It is the last major water route for travel in Kerala. From Aranattukara people need to take a bullock cart or should walk to reach the place they wanted to go.

There is also a mention of Aranattukara in Shaktan Thampuran's letter to Captain Rebisson. A major genera of Cochin state was situated in Aranattukara. At that time, barter system was rampant. Duty was leived in the form of food grains. These grains were weighed, measured and stored in these granaries.

It is believed that Shaktan Thampuran was in favour of consolidation of states. When Shaktan yea Rama Varma Thampuran came to power the condition of Cochin state was pathetic. Foreigners had taken all the profit and ruined the economy.
He decided to bring the entire trade under the control of Government. Thanks to him, salt, pepper and tobacco trade was solely done under Govt leadership.

Realising the importance of Aranattukara, Raja built a Godown and Market there. This increased the importance of Aranattukara.

The Tharakan family modified this market so it is now called as Tharakan market. It is also called as Arugam or Gateway to Godown as there are numerous godowns in Aranattukara.

Contibutions of Tharakan family for the development of Aranattukara is worthy of mention specially in the field of Ayurvedic Medicine. They even won the
appreciation of Cochin Raja. When Kozhikode Raja Zamoodiri attacked Cochin in A D 932 it was the Tharakan Family who saved the Cochin Raja. They helped him to reach Thripunitura safely in disguise.

It is due to the arrival of Railway system and motor vehicles Aranattukara lost its prominence. From a major trading hub it slowly got converted to a full residential area.

Comparing it to the present prevailing confusion, it is a wonder how people and things were so well planned way back in Aranattukara.

How Aranattukara got its name

There are different version of how the area got its name Aranattukara. One version says its derived from the primitive Tamil language which existed before the origin of Malayalam. That is Aran+Nadu+Kara. These three independent words together form the present Aranattukara.

According to Herman Gundert 'Aran' means Lake, habitat or forest. According to another version it is Ara+Nadu+Kara. In Aranattukara there are lots of Salt Pans. So, how it got the name is yet another version. 'Aran' in Primitive Tamil means water body. As there are lots of small lakes and lagoons in Aranattukara it got this name, is another popular say. Whatever it is, the name Aranattukara has made its mark in history.

How to Install Malayalam Font in our Computer

We are developing our website http://www.entearanattukara.com/ in Malayalam Language. Our website has been created using Unicode fonts, So for your computer should have atleast one Unicode font for Malayalam.

The Below Paragraph is written in Malyalam Unicode font, Please try to read it ,

Malayalam Article

തൃശൂര്‍ മുനിസിപ്പാലിറ്റിക്കകത്തും പുറത്തുമായി തെക്കുപടിഞ്ഞാറാണ് അരണാട്ടുകര സ്ഥിതി ചെയ്യുന്നത്. കുറെ കച്ചവടക്കാരും ഉദ്യോഗസ്ഥരും അടങ്ങിയ ജനനിബിഡമായ ക്രിസ്തൃന്‍ ശക്തി കേന്ദ്രം എന്ന നിലയില്‍ അരണാട്ടുകര അതിന്റെ പ്രാധാന്യം നിലനിര്‍ത്തുന്നു. രാജ്യസേവനം, വൈദ്യം, സമുദായിക പ്രാമാണ്യം, ഭൂസ്വത്ത് ഇവ മൂലം പ്രശസ്തമായ തരകന്‍ കുടുംബം, കൊച്ചി രാജ്യത്തിന്റെ നാനാഭാഗത്തു നിന്നും സാധനങ്ങള്‍ വളളം വഴി കയറ്റുവാനും ഇറക്കുവാനുമുളള കടവ്, കച്ചവടകേന്ദ്രം, പള്ളി മൂലമുണ്ടായ പ്രസിദ്ധി തുടങ്ങി ഈ നാടിന് പണ്ടുണ്ടായിരുന്ന പ്രശസ്തി ഇന്ന് ചരിത്രത്തിന്റെ താളുകളില്‍ മാത്രം ഒതുങ്ങി നില്‍ക്കുകയാണ്.

Font Issues

If you are Unable to view Malayalam please read the instructions given below:
1. Seeing boxes or junk characters instead of Malayalam Characters

Cause :
This is because wrong character encoding may be set in your browser or the needed font is not present in your computer.

Solution :
Access the menu 'View -> Character Encoding' and change the value to UTF-8 in your browser.




Even then if you are not able to see the Malayalam characters, please install the fonts needed. We prefer "AnjaliOldLipi" font for Malayalam reading.

You can download this font (AnjaliOldLipi) from the following links,
Malayalam Font ( AnjaliOldLipi )

How to install font in my Local computer

Windows
Copy the font file (.ttf) to C:\WINDOWS\Fonts directory.

Linux
Copy the font file (.ttf) to .fonts directory in the user's home directory. If .fonts directory doesnot exist in the home directory, please create it. Finally run the command 'fc-cache' from the command prompt.

Note: Once you install the font, close the browser window and reopen it.

Still you are unable to view malayalam text in this page, do the following process

Go to Tools -> Internet options -> Fonts -> select Malayalam -> select AnjaliOldLipi -> OK



Note: Once you done all process, then close the browser window and reopen it.

Launching a New Malayalam Website for Aranattukara

We are planning to launch a new Malayalam Website for aranattukara. It includes information relating to our Churchs, Chapels, Schools, Convents, Ashrams, Temples, church communities, Different kudumba samelna units, Kadavaram or vanjikulam, Pachyude kulam, Nataji Ground, Drama school, Articles relating to famous persons from aranattukara, ABC Bus, Photo gallery, Video gallery, Live chat between aranattukara peoples, Prayer Center For St.Sebastian etc.........

Our New website url is http://www.entearanattukara.com/, Now site is under construction. background work is going on very fastly. We are planning to launch our website at the end of next month.

Team of members currently working for developing this site are as follows,Josmy Jose, Luvin K Joy, Anoop Thomas,Delson Davis, P.M Xavior, Jerry padamadan, Linteesh P Chiramel, St. Thomas church Asst Vicar, Trinity Ashram team, Lijo M.J, Infant Jesus Sisters etc. Currently we are taking the initiative of launching our new website.We are inviting those who wanted to participate in this team activly.

We created a blog in blogger website, it's name is http://aranattukara.blogspot.com/ . Open the above URL in Internet Explorer or Mozilla. Read the contents every day. Now i put some test contents, it will change in future days. Our team is working on this for the last one month. Every day we will publish new articles in English.