Tamilnadu Tourism: Roche Park, Thoothukudi

Saturday, July 2, 2016

Roche Park, Thoothukudi

Roche Park, Thoothukudi

Roche Park is located just 4 kms from the Town, on the way to the Port and ideal place for holiday seekers. Festival holidays and weekends attract large number of tourists. Roche Park has been named in memory of John Ladislaus Pitchaiya Roche Victoria who was a notable politician hailing from Tuticorin. John Ladislaus Pitchaiya Roche Victoria K. S. G (b. 26 September 1894 - d. 15 October 1962) was an Indian politician from Tuticorin belonging to the Indian National Congress.

He was from the Parava community and was also a businessman with ownership in several commercial ventures. During 1926-46 he was the chairman of the Tuticorin Municipality. He was a member of the Madras Presidency Legislative Assembly during 1937-42 and a nominated member of the Madras Legislative Council from 1946. He served as the minister for Food and Fisheries in the P. S. Kumaraswami Raja cabinet during 2 June 1949 - 8 February 1952.

He was elected to the Tamil Nadu legislative assembly as an Indian National Congress candidate from Tuticorin constituency in the 1952 election. He was also the governor of the Rotary district 320 (covering Sri Lanka and South India). The Roche Park in Tuticorin is named after him. He received the honour of Knighthood from the order of St.Gregory, conferred to him by the Pope himself and became Chevalier.

Roche was also a business man and owned several business ventures. In addition to recreational facilities a statue of Roche is also present in this park. This park comprise of wide open area with lots of places for children to play. Many a sport can be seen being played within the park grounds. There are few plants in this park owing to the reason that vegetation growth is being hampered due to its located near the sea.