By Soniya k Chacko
Thiruvananthapuram, March 11, 2026: A Catholic seminarian who topped a university examination has won the Kerala government’s student talent award.
Brother Alex Velamkunnel, a minor seminarian of the archdiocese of Tellicherry, was given the “Vidyarthi Prathibha Puraskaram” on March 10 by Kerala Education Minister R Bindu at a ceremony held at the Government College in Thiruvananthapuram, the state capital.
The award comprises a citation and a cash award of 100,000 rupees.
Brother Velamkunnel was among 1,000 college students selected for the awards from across Kerala.
He is currently a second-year student of master’s in mathematics at Central University of Tamil Nadu. Earlier he had topped with 96 percent marks in the Bachelor of Science course in Mathematics in Kannur University.
Brother Alex is the youngest of three sons of Tom and Shiji Velamkunnel of Thomapuram, a village in Kerala’s Kasaragod district.
Speaking about his remarkable achievement Brother Alex said, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. It is the work of God. I could have never achieved it, if I were not a seminarian.
After his matriculation from St Mary’s High School, Chittarikkal, and higher secondary education at St Thomas Higher Secondary School, Thomapuram, he joined the archdiocese’s minor seminary.
Recognizing his academic excellence, Archbishop Joseph Pamplany of Tellicherry sent him for higher studies at Government Brennen College, Thalassery (formerly Tellicherry).
Along with his academic studies, Brother Alex continues his seminary formation under the guidance of Father Thomas Melvettom, the current rector of the seminary.
His teachers say the seminarian balances his academic brilliance with spiritual growth.
He says seminary life has given him the discipline, prayer life, and inner strength necessary to achieve success in his studies.