V. J. Mathai

Vettath John Mathai (25 February 1901 – 5 August 1954) also known as "The Lion of Cochin" was a lawyer, banker, politician and plantation owner.

[1] Mathai was born to a Malayalee Syrian Christian Vettath family in Mulanthuruthy village within the princely state of Cochin during the height of British India.

[2] Some of his legislative work included the protection 4,500 temples and ensured funds are allotted for this purpose from the Cochin State.

He was given an opportunity to procure cheap land in Dibrugarh district of Assam, where he was ostensibly running a sugarcane plantation.

In 2010, Kerala Legislative Assembly Speaker K. Radhakrishnan unveiled his portrait at the Council Hall of the Ernakulam Law College.