Malayala Manorama former director KM Philip passes away...

Malayala Manorama former director KM Philip passes away Chennai: Padma Shri K.M.Philip, 104, the first Asian to become the  President of the World Alliance of YMCAs  and a former director of Malayala Manorama, passed away in Chennai. The funeral was held at the Kilpauk Church cemetery on Thursday after prayers at his residence at 4A, College Lane, Chennai. Born on May 2, 1912, Philip was

the sixth son of the late  K.C. Mammen  Mappillai, former  Chief  Editor of Malayala Manorama, and Sarah.

As the first Asian to to become the President of the World Alliance of YMCAs, he succeeded former Ethiopian Prime Minister Endelkachew Makonnen in 1974. 

Philip, who had also served as the Indian YMCA National Council president and the Bombay YMCA for many years, initiated steps to expand the YMCA network in the country. 

He had also served as the director of EDCS under the World Council of Churches headquartered in Geneva, director of MM Plantation companies in Karnataka, apart from being the executive committee member of Bombay Chamber of Commerce and Bombay Tea Dealers Association. 

A philanthropist, he also played an active role in spreading sporting activities of YMCA nationally. 

A proponent of basketball and badminton, Philip was also an avid golfer – he played golf till the age of 95. 

Philip completed  his elementary education from M.D. School and C.M.S College, Kottayam. He graduated in Economics from Loyola College, Madras, in 1934. 

He started his career as manager in the Vepery (Chennai) branch of Travancore National Bank founded by his father. He had also served as assistant manager of the Mumbai branch of the bank and as secretary of the Alappuzha branch. 

After leaving the banking sector, he established Indian Coffee and Tea Distributing Company. The Philips Coffee and Tea Products brought out by the company soon garnered significant leverage in the market. 

A business magnate with deep knowledge of rubber industry and products, he was a founding member of Indian Rubber Industries Association and also served as its president for many years. 

Philip was also the founding editor of Rubber India magazine and chairman of Kamani Rubber Regenerating Company as well as Gujarat Rubber Reclaim Ltd, apart from being a member of the Rubber Board for nearly 25 years. 

In Rubber Board meetings, he strongly advocated  the need to provide incentives for attracting more industrialists to the rubber sector in Kerala, rather than expanding rubber cultivation to north eastern states by providing massive subsidies. 

Philip’s business acumen and support were recognized by Amul founder Dr Varghese Kurien. Philip was felicitated by Kurien with a gold medal for his advice in the initial years of Amul. 

Philip was also honored with the Hancock Medal instituted by the UK-based Rubber and Plastic Institute to recognize his outstanding contributions to the industry. 

The central government also tapped his vast expertise in the rubber sector many times for dealing with various issues. 

The nation honored his immense contributions to the industrial sector by conferring the Padma Shri on him in 2001. 

Philip reported the coronation of Queen Elizabeth on June 2, 1953, for Malayala Manorama from London. 

He had also served as a director of Malayala Manorama, chairman of Commercial  Broadcast Limited, a Manorama subsidiary, and was also the executive director of MRF till he turned 100. 

Philip was also a founding member of All India Rubber Industries Association and also served as its president as well as chairman of OEN Connectors. 

He played a stellar role in establishing the St Mary's Orthodox Cathedral at Dadar in Mumbai. 

The late Chinnamma, the daughter of Mulanthuruthy Moorkancheril M.P.Peter who was a DMO during the British era, was his wife. 

He is survived by sons Mammen Philip (chairman, MM Rubber Company, Chennai), Dr Peter Philip (Director, Malayala Manorama and MD, Indian Coffee and Tea Distributing Company and daughters-in-law Annamma (Puthenveetil) and Mira (Kulangara).