Prominent Figures of the Kerala Church –19
Padma Bhushan Prof. Dr. M.V. Pylee
Prof. Dr. M.V. Pylee is unparalleled among the great educational visionaries Kerala has seen. An expert in constitutional law, a giant in the field of management education, a writer, and a speaker, Dr. Pylee is known for his exceptional contributions across various fields. His remarkable achievements have brought global recognition to India, and particularly to Kerala.
Dr. Pylee was not fortunate to nurture his talent in favorable circumstances; rather, he was a remarkable individual who emerged from severe adversities. His life is a testimony to the belief that relentless hard work is the only path to success. Dr. Pylee has an extraordinary ability to turn every endeavor into gold, and he has achieved many accolades that are usually gained only over several lifetimes.
He epitomizes an ideal blend of prosperity and emulation. Known for his integrity, he has never worn a mask of pretense. He speaks and acts in accordance with his conscience, maintaining fairness in his words and deeds. This authenticity has earned him admiration from many, though a few might remain indifferent.
The high positions he has held, the honors and awards he has received, the books he has written, his series of lectures, his global travels, and his vast and esteemed student network are all criteria to measure the achievements, fame, and greatness of a distinguished educational expert. Dr. Pylee is indeed deserving of everyone’s affection and respect.
Various universities, including the University Grants Commission, and institutions like Cochin University, Kerala University, Calicut University, and Mahatma Gandhi University, as well as numerous colleges such as Kalamassery Rajagiri College of Social Sciences, Changanassery St. Berchmans College, and many management education institutions, have greatly benefited from Dr. Pylee’s services.
Born on October 5, 1919, into a modest farming family in Peringazha village near Muvattupuzha, Dr. Pylee was the eldest son of Cheriyan Varkey and Mariamma. He had seven siblings. His father was deeply proud of and dedicated to his agricultural produce, while his mother was an exceptional homemaker known for her benevolence and efficiency. His grandfather, Cheriyan Vakil, was well-known, and his parents lived to be 94 and 102 years old, respectively.
Dr. Pylee’s early life was filled with vitality. He excelled in reading, writing, chess, boat races, swimming, fishing, dog racing, climbing, sports, and games. As a child, he demonstrated his prowess in these areas and secured first place in various competitions.
His life was marked by economic hardships and challenges. The steep drop in agricultural product prices during the global economic downturn was severe for ordinary farmers like his parents, who struggled to cope with the lack of market for their produce. For instance, the price for 100 coconuts dropped to just 3 rupees.
Unable to pay the 5.25 rupee school fee, Dr. Pylee had to leave his school after passing the 8th standard. However, based on his earlier qualification in the local language examination (V.S.L.C.), he was appointed as a primary school teacher with a salary of $ rupees. Driven by a strong desire for higher education, he resigned from teaching after eight months and continued his studies.
After completing his matriculation at Muvattupuzha Government High School and Pulinkunnu St. Joseph’s High School, Dr. Pylee pursued intermediate studies at Changanassery S.B. College and graduated with distinction. Initially appointed as a tutor at the same college with a salary of 50 rupees, he later secured a position as a commission officer with the Army Ordnance Department at a salary of 200 rupees, although he continued his work in the academic field.
Soon, his passion for knowledge led him to Lucknow University, where he studied Constitutional Law. He completed his M.A. with first class honors in 1918. Dr. Pylee then pursued a law degree with first class honors and began practicing at the district court in Kerala. Within two weeks, he was appointed as a lecturer at Lucknow University. This appointment marked the beginning of his rigorous academic career and subsequent rise to higher positions in education.
After serving at Patna University and receiving a Fulbright Scholarship in 1953, he studied advanced topics in Constitutional Law at Harvard University. He continued research that had begun at Lucknow University. Upon returning to India in 1954, Dr. Pylee earned a D.Litt degree in 1956. He was then appointed as the head of the Department of Economics and Administration at Delhi University and later as Director of the Administrative Staff College in Hyderabad in 1962.
In 1964, he was appointed as Professor and Director of the School of Management at Kerala University. He held this position for 14 years, transforming the institution into a leading establishment. During this period, he also provided expert guidance to various industrial institutions and served as a visiting professor at several international locations.
In 1977, he was appointed as Vice-Chancellor of Cochin University of Science and Technology. Under his leadership, the university was liberated from its constraints and gained national recognition. The exceptional 115% grant received by the university from the UGC during this time further highlighted Dr. Pylee’s achievements.
Dr. Pylee established the “Prof. Dr. M.V. Pylee Foundation” as a public charitable trust to support educational, cultural, and social activities. The foundation aims to address issues related to environmental protection, public health, poverty eradication, consumer protection, and human rights.
He has also supported various institutions through endowments, including Cochin University, Changanassery St. Berchmans College, Pulinkunnu St. Joseph’s High School, Mangalapuram St. Agnes College, Kerala Higher Education Trust, and Good Samaritan Project India, among others. His annual program of providing financial aid to underprivileged students for higher education has been a significant part of his efforts.
Dr. Pylee has never been one to seek accolades but has always been sought after. He remains active and energetic even in old age. He has chaired and presented keynote addresses at numerous national and international conferences since 1954 and continues to do so.
Dr. Pylee has traveled extensively across continents, including Asia, Europe, Africa, North America, and South America, giving lectures. He is proficient in English and Malayalam and has a working knowledge of Hindi and Tamil.
His defining traits include a profound sense of humanity, compassionate love for others, and an active concern for those around him. His remarkable vision and sense of mission are his primary attributes, enabling him to make timely decisions and implement them effectively. Dr. Pylee has the ease of untangling complex issues and proposing effective solutions. His long-standing inspiration continues to benefit numerous institutions, organizations, and individuals.
Major English Works by Dr. Pylee:
India’s Constitution at Work
Constitutional Government in India – 5 editions
India’s Constitution – 11 editions
Federal Court of India – 3 editions
Pakistan’s History of India – 3 editions
International Joint Business Ventures
Industrial Policies
Worker Participation in Management – Myth and Reality – 2 editions
Russia: My Experiences – 2 editions
Professional Management in India: Problems and Prospects – 2 editions
The Tyre Industry: Problems and Prospects – (Tyre Board, Government of India)
An Introduction to Managerial Economics – 2 editions
Essentials of Material Management
Crisis, Conscience, and the Constitution
An Introduction to the Constitution of India
Introduction to the Constitution of India
Industrial Relations and Personnel Management
Emerging Trends in Indian Politics
Our Constitution, Government, and Politics
Constitutional Amendments
Selected Constitutions of the World
Major Malayalam Works by Dr. Pylee:
Indian Constitution (2 editions)
In the President’s Office
Worker Participation in Management
Some Letters from Abroad
History of the Indian Constitution
An Introduction to the Constitution of Bharat
Views and Experiences from Russia
Revival of Higher Education
Educational Issues – Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow
Industry in America
New Trends in Indian Politics
Industry in America
Tourism in America and Europe
Constitution of India – Ten Editions
Dr. Pylee has published over 200 papers in national and international journals. Major convocation and commemorative lectures he has delivered include:
Architectural Excellence Balakrishna Rao Memorial Lecture, Thiruvananthapuram (1977)
Dharmaaram Pontifical Institute Convocation Lecture, Bangalore (1979)
V.S. Kuduv Memorial Lecture, Mangalapuram (1982)
L.S. Mishra Memorial Lecture, Patna (1984)
Dr. John Mathai Endowment Lecture, Kerala University (1984)
Indian Council of Social Science Research Annual Lecture, North-Eastern Hill University, Shillong (1996)
Amaravati University Convocation Lecture (1996)
Banaras Hindu University Convocation Lecture (1997)
Musa Baker Endowment Lecture, Cal
