Notable people from Palai include:
Politicians K. R. Narayanan, President of India (1997–2002), Vice-President of India (1992–97). K M Mani, Minister of Finance, Revenue, Laws, Kerala State. Jose K. Mani Member of Indian Parliament - Lok Sabha (2010-Continuing). N M Joseph, Minister of Forests, Kerala State (1987–91) M M Jacob, Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha) (1981-1993), Deputy Chairman of Rajya Sabha (1986–87), Union Minister of Parliamentary Affairs, Home (1987–93), State Governor of Meghalaya (1995–2007). Kidangoor Gopalakrishna Pillai, General Secretary of NSS (1967 onwards) and Indian High-Commissioner to Singapore (1992 onwards). P K Vasudevan Nair, Member of Parliament, Chief Minister of Kerala State. K M Chandy, State Governor (1982–89), President of Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (I). Cherian J. Kappan, Freedom Fighter, Member of Indian Parliament - Lok Sabha (1962–67). Municipal Chairman. George Thomas Kottukapally, Member of Indian Parliament - Lok Sabha (1957–62), U.N. Delegate. R V Thomas, President (Speaker) of Travancore State Legislative Assembly (1947–49). Dr P J Thomas, Member of Madras Legislative Council, 1937–42 and Member of Indian Parliament - Rajya Sabha 1957-62. Ulahannan Ulahannan Vadakkan, Member of Sree Moolam Popular Assembly of Travancore State (1912–31). J Thomas Kayalackakom, Member of Sree Moolam Popular Assembly of Travancore State (1922–28).
Literature, education and social service Aryambika S. V., Malayalam poet. Paremmakkal Thoma Kathanar: Author of "Varthamana Pusthakam", the first travelogue in an Indian language. Ramapurathu Warrier - Poet (Kuchelavritham). Kattakayam Cherian Mappillai (1859–1936) - Author of Sri Yesu Vijayam (1926) & Editor of Vijnaana Rathnaakaram (1913) Pala Narayanan Nair, poet, teacher, most celebrated work 'keralam valarunnu' Pravithanam PM Devasia, poet Lalithambika Antharjanam, novelist Fr. Abel Periapuram, Founder of Kalabhavan. Paul Zacharia, writer & columnist Ezhacherry Ramachandran, poet Bishop Sebastian Vayalil, Founder of St. Thomas College Cyriac Thomas, former Vice Chancellor
Government and administration V. Joseph Thomas IPS, Director General of Police, Kerala. V. J. Kurian IAS, Addl. Chief Secretary to Govt. of Kerala. Managing Director of the World's First Solar Powered Airport B. Sandhya IPS, writer and police officer.
Sports Col. G.V. Raja, sports promoter M D Valsamma, athletics, Asian Games Gold Medalist Mani C. Kappan international volleyball player
Commerce and industry Joseph Augusti Kayalackakom (1884–1968) - Managing Director of Palai Central Bank. Varkey Ouseph Vellookunnel -Founder Director of Palai Central Bank. M.O. Devasia (M.O.D) populary known as pepper king of kerala Annamma kottukapally,Founder, Anns bakery Asha Sebastian Mattathil,Founder,M.O.D signature jewellery
Movies Bhadran, movie director Miss Kumari, Malayalam actress in leading roles Suvarna Mathew, actress Ponnamma Babu, actress Pala Thankam, actress Miya (Gimi George), actress Mani C. Kappan, director, producer, actor Rimi Tomy, singer Meenakshi Anoop, actress Listin Stephen, film producer Chali Pala, film actor Mamitha Baiju, Indian actress Sheelu Abraham, film actress
Journalists Jose Panachippuram, associate editor, Malayala Manorama daily Eby J Jose, editor, Gulf Life magazine
References