Elias John
Journalist, television producer and public advocate for the Vizhinjam port
Elias John has worked for about 30 years to bring the Vizhinjam port into being and make it useful to Kerala. He has been a journalist at Doordarshan and NDTV, and a director and producer at NTV. He now leads story development for Motherport News. This page follows his Vizhinjam work year by year.
Vizhinjam timeline
- Early 1990s Advocacy
Begins making the case for a deepwater port at Vizhinjam
Starts public argument for a port that brings jobs and a wider maritime economy to Kerala. Begins classes among fishing communities that continue to the present day.
- 2000 Campaign
Boat chain along the Kerala coast
About 2,000 fishing boats form a chain along the coast to show public support for the port.
- 2003 to 2008 Publishing
Edits and publishes Mavelinadu
A Malayalam news magazine that promotes port-led development. The October 2004 edition carried “A New Employment Revolution in Kerala: Vizhinjam Becomes the Gateway to Asia”.
- 2005 Campaign
“India Max” tour of Thiruvananthapuram district
A 10-day tour that takes the case for the port to towns and villages across the district.
- 13 May 2007 Campaign
Children’s painting competition at Shanghumugham Beach
Helps children and parents see why Thiruvananthapuram needs a port.
- 3 February 2014 Public record
Campaign discussed in the Kerala Legislative Assembly
The Assembly discusses the Vizhinjam campaign. The proceedings extract is on record.
- 2015 Learning
Certificate in Parliamentary Practice and Procedures
Completes the course at the Centre for Parliamentary Studies and Training, Government of Kerala.
- 1 April 2016 Partnerships
Writes to the Embassy of Greece
Opens a line to Greece, a major shipping nation, and receives a reply from the Embassy.
- 2017 Campaign
Cashew sapling campaign
With the State Cashew Development Corporation, distributes free saplings to build a local base of export cargo. Inaugurated by the then Fisheries Minister.
- 2019 Campaign
“Ahoy Gülsün” at Shanghumugham Beach
A life-size 3D light-and-sound installation of the container ship MSC Gülsün, to show the public what Vizhinjam can receive.
- 2019 Partnerships
Writes to the developers of the Port of Sydney
Asks how a city port was developed and what Vizhinjam can learn from it.
- 2019 to 2022 Enterprise
About 25 batches of classes for port-linked entrepreneurs
Each batch ended with a visit to the port.
- 14 March 2024 Policy
Panelist at the Gulati Institute of Finance and Taxation
Speaks on prospects for the Kerala economy in the context of Kerala Budget 2024-25. The Director of GIFT sent a thank-you note.
- 2026 Today
Daily commentary and the world port index
Presents the Trivandrum Sailing Commentary, now more than 1,150 consecutive days. Leads Motherport News in English, Malayalam and Tamil. Reports on Vizhinjam’s place in global port rankings.
Talks and institutions
Schools, colleges and youth forums in five districts: Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Ernakulam, Thrissur and Kozhikode. They include Government Medical College Thiruvananthapuram, Mar Gregorios College of Law, Christ Nagar College, Sree Kerala Varma College and Christ College, Irinjalakuda. He also spoke to a church community in Vizhinjam.
Writing and recognition
Author of Ockhi: Onnam Prathiyum Kootu Prathikalum, a book on the Ockhi cyclone and its aftermath. Five Kerala State Television Awards, including Best Producer, Best Anchor and Best Commentator.