Attakoya Pallikandy

Attakoya Pallikandy (born 4 October 1947) a journalist and writer from Kerala, Attakoya Pallikandy is an Indian media person and former chief sub-editor of Chandrika Malayalam daily. He is the president of the Indo-Arab Confederation Council as well as the Pravasi Welfare and Development Cooperative Society, thus encouraging the state government to establish a labor bank for Gulf returnees in order to offer them acceptable employment.
Attakoya has previously published numerous articles on a wide range of themes in a variety of periodicals and continues to write. He is a recipient of numerous awards for his journalistic and literary works. In his book Gulf Chinthakal, he shed light on the lives of Malayalis in Gulf countries. .https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/kerala/2011/may/09/nrks-to-invest-in-vegetable-cultivation-251553.html
== Early life and education ==
Attakoya Pallikandy was born on October 4, 1947 to Saidhalvi Koya Thangal and Imbichi Pathummabi. After completing his schooling at M M High School, Calicut, Attakoya received his Diploma in Journalism from the Institute of Journalism, Kerala. He also joined the Co-operative College, Calicut, and acquired a National Diploma in Commercial Practice (N.D.C.P.). He holds a Diploma in Journalism from the acclaimed Trans World College in Jersey, Britain.
== Career ==
Attakoya worked as the Gulf Representative of the Mathrubhumi Malayalam daily during a period when there was a massive increase in the circulation of newspapers and magazines, as well as the introduction of new newspapers and journals. He has worked as the Middle East correspondent for East-West Caravan and as a reporter for the Khaleej Times in Dubai. Attakoya Pallikandy was a journalist with interests in politics, finance, and economics, among other things. He was the diplomatic chief editor of Pravasi Dhoothan, an international Malayalam magazine, and became a well-known figure in the Malayali community.
== Awards and honors ==
Aside from being a well-known journalist, he is also a humanitarian involved in a variety of socio-cultural welfare activities. Attakoya was bestowed with the prestigious Prasad Bhushan Award for Best Social Worker for Middle East Malayalees in 1997 and Dadabhai Naoroji Memorial Award in 2005. He is also the recipient of the Ibn Battuta Award of 2015 and Alfajr Daily Literature Award, U.A.E in 2011. He won the Herman Gundert Award from Herman Gundert Centre in 1993 and Annie Besant International Award in 1994,
He was honored with the Universal Literary Council Award from Indo-Arab Cultural Research Institute, Trichur, Kerala in 1989 and the Thiruvalluvar Award by the Council for Welfare of Minorities at Madurai, Tamil Nadu in 1991. He was awarded the V.K. Krishna Menon Award in 1983 by Overseas Indian Integration Council, Jakartha, Indonesia. He has received many other awards including Testimonial Diploma in Theosophy from Theosophical Madras Society in 1987.
==Positions held ==
Attakoya Pallikandy is a multifaceted media person. He held various organizational positions during his life. He served in the following capabilities:
*Chairman Indo-Arab Confederation Council
*General Secretary, World Malayali Literary Council
*President, Gulf Indian Cultural Centre (1976-1982)
*Director, Universal Media Research Centre
*Director, C.D Media
*Chairman, Ollur Smaraka Samithi
*Chairman, Pravasi Development Rehabilitation and Welfare Centre
*Chief Advisor, NRI Welfare Committee
*Chief Advisor, VS Keraleeyansmaraka Foundation
== Positions currently holding ==
Attakoya played a pivotal role as Chief Editor of the Gulf Voice magazine. He works as the Overseas editor for the Star-News Week and as the Consulting editor of the Pravasi world.
He has been the General Secretary of the Dubai Indian Relief Committee since 1983. Attakoya has also served as the devoted Chairman of All India Gulf Returnees Association since 1987. He was appointed as the Secretary of the Overseas Malayali Welfare Forum and continues to serve in the office. In addition, he is a Life Member of the American Academy and the Institute of Arts and Letters.
== Works ==
*He is an acclaimed writer with several columns and articles. Apart from many in-depth articles Attakoya pallikandy has authored several books which include:
*Enna: a deep and historical examination of middle-east countries and the discovery of oil which created a boom of oil wealth in arab-gulf countries (published Emirate Publications, Calicut, 1980)
*C.H. Inte Ariyapedatha Kathakal: a life study and thoughts of C.H. Muhamed Koya, former Kerala Chief Minister and social reformer. (published by Fathima Book Stall, Tellicherry, 1979).
*Bafakhy Thangal: a bibliography of prominent scholar Syed Abdul Rahiman Bafakhy Thangal. (published in 1986 by Poorna Publications, Calicut, Kerala) .
*Frontier Gandhi: a bibliography of prominent freedom fighter 'Frontiergandhi’ Khan Abdul Ghafar Khan (published 1973 by Poorna Publications, Calicut).
*Kalam Marakkathe Kalpadukal: a study of about ten prominent world leaders (published 1976 by Al Huda Book Stall, Calicut).
*Gulf Chinthakal: it describes the experience of the author in Arab countries emphasising the developments that occured in the Gulf countries for the last 25 years (published Emirate Publications, Calicut 1990)
*Videsha Malayalikalkku Oru Margha Rekha: A guide line for overseas Malayalees detailing the scope and opportunities of investment in trade and industry (published Emirate Publications, Calicut, 1990).
 	
*Gulfil Inyentuu: A forecast of happenings in the Gulf countries after the Gulf War (published by Media Publications, Calicut, 1990)
*Arab-Gulf Manual: A life sketch and bio-data of important personalities in the Middle East Countries (published Gulf Indian Cultural Centre, Dubai, 1997).
*Maruppacha: An anthology of 15 short stories (published Anugrah Publications, Trichur. 2005)
==Awards==
* V.K. Krishna Menon Award In 1983 By Overseas Indian Integration ‘ Council, Jakartha, Indonesia.
* Testimonial Diploma In Theosophy From Theosophical Madras/ 1987. Society,
* Universal Literary Council Award From Indo-Arab Cultural Research Institte, Trichur, Kerala In 1989.
* Kuwait Malayalee Samajam Award For Best And Outstanding Literary Work In 1990.
* Thiruvalluar Award By Council For Welfares Of Minorities At Madurai, Tamil Nadu, 1991.
* Herman Gundert Award From Herman Gundertcentre,1993.
* Annie Basent International Award, 1994.
* Prasad Bhooson Award For Best Social Worker For Middle East Malayalees 1997.
* Dadabhai Navaroji Memmorial Award (New Delhi) 2005.
* Alfajar Daily, Literature Award (U.A.E.) 2011.
* Ibnu Batutha Award (Thiruvananthapuram) 2015.
Category:1947 births
Category:Indian male writter
Category:Writters from Kerala
Category:Malayalam-language writers
Category:Malayalam-language journalists