In order to cherish the memory of the great freedom fighter, Thalakulathu Veluthampi Dalava the Nair Service Society founded the Velu Thampi Memorial N.S.S.College at Dhanuvachapuram on the occasion of his 200th birth anniversary.

The college is located on a hill top at Dhanuvachapuram enroute to Kanyakumari on the southern most part of Kerala.

Started as a junior college on 15th July 1964 in a temporary building, it has scaled higher peaks. The college was upgraded in 1967-68. Later more degree courses like Economics and Botany were started in 1984-89. The Degree course in Zoology was started during 1981-82. The introduction of the Post Graduate course in Commerce in the same year has made this a First Grade college. Degree course in Malayalam was started during 1995-96. At present, the college has a sanctioned strength of 3600 students.