The architect of land reforms, Gouri Amma was also behind India’s largest technopark

KR Gouri Amma, a stalwart of the Communist movement in Kerala who breathed her last early Tuesday morning, is remembered the most for piloting a revolutionary legislation that ushered land reforms in the state. But perhaps, less-talked-about, is the mark she left behind in the industrial and IT sectors in the state when she handled the industries portfolio in successive Left governments through the 80s and early 90s.

Significant among her contributions is undoubtedly the birth of Technopark, which is today India’s largest IT park in terms of developed area and home to over 400 firms and over 50,000 professionals. The idea for the park, located near Thiruvananthapuram, was conceived in early 1990 when EK Nayanar was the chief minister and Gouri Amma the industries minister.