Kundara

Kundara ( ) is an emerging industrial town located at the suburbs of Kollam city in Kollam district of Kerala, India. It was previously known as the industrial center of Kollam district and housed many heavy industries like KEL, Kerala Ceramics, Aluminium Industries Ltd. (Alind), Laskmi Starch company etc., but apart from the ailing Kerala Ceramics all others are closed. It is also famous for Kundara Proclamation () made by Velu Thampi Dalawa in 11 January 1809 [This date is disputed] urging the people to fight the British.

Kanjiracodu () fraction of the Astamudi lake is near to Kundara. Green chromide (), a tasty fish is found in this part of the lake.

Economy

Kundara is still recovering from the collapse of its heavy industries.Remittance from family members working abroad, inland fisheries, small scale cashew processing factories, farming and jobs in governments sector supports the economy.

Kundara is emerging again as an industrial and educational centre. Kerala University has started their business school 'Kerala Institute of Management' near Kundara. The Fashion Institute of Technology, the Science City and the Foreign Language institute are some of the prestigious institutions coming up in and around Kundara.

A proposed 150 to 200 crore Kollam IT park at Kundara has given a new glimpse of hope to the people. Government estimates the IT park will create up to 10,000 job opportunities in the next three to five years. The IT park is coming up at the Special Economic Zone of . There is enough land available adjacent to the park for its future expansion. A beautiful water terminal is planned at the IT park which is located at the banks of the scenic Ashtamudi lake providing direct access to the IT park from Kollam city and other major towns in the district through waterway. Real estate prices has jumped up to 200% near the area of proposed IT park.

Kundara is poised to become the satellite city of Kollam. The surrounding areas of Kundara may emerge as the future IT and industrial centre of Kollam. Mukkada is the main trade center and heart of Kundara town. Kundara is a major railway station in the Kollam - Punalur railway stretch. There is a small station 2 km east of the main Kundara Railway station called Kundara East.

Inland fishing in Ashtamudi lake provides variety of fishes, crabs and prawns. Most of the fisheries products are sold in Mukkada fish market (). Fishing industry depends heavily on exports and recent global financial meltdown caused a gloom in the industry.

Kerala Ceramics is the only running heavy industry. Kundara has large deposits of world's finest quality of clay which is the main raw material for Ceramic products. The company has stopped its Ceramic Kicthenware product line and now produces only purified clay powder.

Politics

Communist Party of India (CPI), Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI(M)) and Indian National Congress (INC) dominates regional politics.Bharathiya Janatha Party(BJP) also has its root here. Muslim parties like Peoples Democratic Party (India) and NDF have made some inroads in young Muslims. Kundara assembly constituency is part of Quilon (Lok Sabha constituency). Currently, M A Baby of CPI(M) represents Kundara. He is also the educational minister of the state.

Education

; Higher Secondary Schools 1. St. Antony’s Higher Secondary School, Kanjirakode 2. S.N.S.M.H.S.S., Elampallor

;High Schools 1. M. G. D. Boys H. S. 2. M. G. D. Girls H. S. 3. St.Margaret's HS, Kanjirakode 4. St.Marys English Medium School, Hospital Jn, Kundara.

Amenities

;Hospital LMS Hospital, Hospital Junction ()

;Police Kundara houses a Police station and Circle office in Elampallor

;Electricity Kundara has a 220 KV substation to cater the demands of the industry and homes. Almost every home is electrified. KSEB started its first mobile repair unit in Kundara. This greatly reduced supply destructions due to failure of overhead supply lines, also ensured speedy resolution of customer complaints.

; Telephone/Internet BSNL is the only broadband internet provider in Kundara and provides 2 Mbit/s connections at Rs 250/- per month. Airtel, Vodatfone, Idea, BSNL, Tata Indicom, Reliance,Aircel and MTS provides mobile phone services.

Tourism

The world famous Munroe Island is 10 km from Kundara. 'Kayaldarshan' the boat cruise acclaimed to be the best in India is mainly centering Munroe Island. A 5 star resort by Leela Kempinski called Leela Lake Palace is coming up at the banks of Ashtamudi Lake near to Munroe Islands.

Transport

Kundara is well connected by road with NH-208, Kannanallur - Kundara, Kundara - Bharanikkavu and Kundara - Perayam roads.

The Kollam - Senkotta railway line passes through Kundara. There are two railway stations Kundara (Main) and Kundara East.

The nearest airport is Trivandrum International Airport, at a distance of 80 km.

Religion

Region have significant Hindu and Christians population and small number of Muslims. People are living in harmony and any sectrain/religious violence is unheard of. Elampallor Temple is the most famous and ancient temple in Kundara. Pathamuthayam () is the main festival in this temple, which attracts tens of thousands of people.

Kundara Valiya palli is an ancient Orthodox Christian Church. The Church is located near a busy road junction ( Kundara - Bharanikkavu road meets NH - 208) called Pallimukku () or Church Junction.

Christian community in Kundara is predominantly Roman Catholics belonging to the Latin Rite. There are many Lation Catholic churches and Schools near and around Kundara.

References

External links

- John Mathew Panicker ( Maliyekkal Panicker Family from Kundara

Perumpuzha

Mukkoodu Mukkoodu is a wonderful village approx 5 kilometers away from Mukkada Junction.

My Native Land - Jameskutty Thomas

Munroe Island Community tourism projectMunroethuruth / Munroe Island A tourist village 12 km from kundara

- Rony Samson from Kundara

- AG Church, Kundara

- St. Mary's Jacobite Syrian Church, Kundara

Category:Geography of Kerala Category:Cities and towns in Kollam district