KANNUR: Government has decided to change the name of Thalassery Government College. The Government College will be renamed as Kodiyeri Balakrishnan Memorial College in honour of CPM leader Kodiyeri Balakrishnan. The information was announced by Higher Education Minister Dr. R Bindu.

The minister said that the name of the college is being changed as a mark of respect to Kodiyeri Balakrishnan, who took the initiative as a minister, as a people's representative and as a public servant for the betterment of the government college. The Minister also informed that Assembly Speaker and Thalassery MLA AN Shamseer had written to the government to give Kodiyeri's name to the college.

Minister informed along with this that Kerala State Handicapped Persons' Welfare Corporation will henceforth be known as Kerala State Differently Able Welfare Corporation Limited. The term "Handicapped" had earlier been directed to be removed from official matters. The board of directors of the corporation took a decision in this regard and approached the Ministry of Company Affairs under the central government, but the approval was denied due to technical reasons.

After the social justice department gave another strong directive to speed up the renaming, the Board of Directors meeting held in August 2023 again submitted the same demand online to the Ministry of Company Affairs under the Central Government. Minister Dr. R Bindu informed that the new name was approved due to this. The Minister said that the board of directors meeting will be convened on October 25 followed by the general body meeting to officially implement the complete renaming in government and public platforms.