Kerala Officially Renamed to 'Keralam'
India's Union cabinet approved a proposal to officially rename the state of Kerala to 'Keralam'. The decision, announced on February 24, aligns the state's official name with its pronunciation in the local Malayalam language. The change follows a long-standing request from the state government to reflect its vernacular identity.
- The name "Keralam" is widely believed to be derived from the Malayalam words "Kera" (coconut tree) and "Alam" (land), translating to "Land of Coconut Trees." This name reflects the state's landscape and its status as one of India's largest coconut producers, accounting for nearly 45% of the country's total output. - Historical evidence for the name dates back to a 3rd-century BCE rock inscription by Emperor Ashoka, which refers to the region as "Keralaputra," meaning "son of Chera." Many scholars believe "Keralam" is an evolution of "Cheralam," the term for the land of the ancient Chera dynasty that once ruled the area. - The name "Kerala," as listed in the First Schedule of the Constitution, is considered an anglicized version that became common during British rule. Proponents view the change as a linguistic and cultural correction to align the official name with "Keralam," the term always used in the native Malayalam language. - The Union Cabinet's approval follows two unanimous resolutions passed by the Kerala Legislative Assembly, one in August 2023 and a revised one in
