Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
Kozhikode became India’s first UNESCO City of Literature when it joined UNESCO’s Creative Cities Network in the Literature category in 2023. The recognition reflects a broad Malayalam literary culture—writers, publishers, libraries, readers, awards and festivals—not a single author or event. UNESCO dates the designation to 31 October 2023; India’s Press Information Bureau announced it on 1 November.
What UNESCO recognized
The title is a designation within the UNESCO Creative Cities Network, specifically its Literature category. It is not the separate UNESCO World Book Capital program. “First in India” refers to this Literature category of the Creative Cities Network.
UNESCO’s profile gives 31 October 2023 as Kozhikode’s designation date. The Government of India’s Press Information Bureau reported the city’s inclusion the following day, 1 November 2023, in its announcement of the designation.
Why Kozhikode’s literary culture stood out
Kozhikode’s case rests on a literary ecosystem rooted in Malayalam writing and reading. UNESCO describes literary roots reaching back to the 14th century and points to the city’s writers, publishers, printing presses, libraries, reading public and literary events. Together, these form a living culture: books are written and published, supported by institutions, encountered by readers and celebrated through public events.
#1 Best Overall
- Read Before You Buy — No Video Output: These adapters support charging and USB 2.0 data transfer, but cannot transmit video signals. Except for standard USB webcams (which use USB data only), they are not compatible with HDMI/DisplayPort cables, video-capable USB-C hubs, or docking stations with video output.
- Convert USB-A Ports to USB-C: Designed to connect USB-C earphones, cables, flash drives, card readers, and other USB-C accessories to standard USB-A ports. Plug-and-play with no drivers or software required.
- Aluminum Alloy Housing: Built with a sturdy aluminum alloy shell that aids in heat dissipation and protects against daily wear and scratches. Designed to maintain a stable and secure connection.
- Compact & Travel-Friendly: The ultra-compact design allows the adapter to stay plugged into your device without blocking adjacent ports or adding bulk, reducing wear and tear on your original USB ports.
- 12-Month Warranty: Backed by a 12-month manufacturer warranty for peace of mind. Designed to meet strict quality control standards for reliable everyday performance.
Writers across generations
The city’s literary identity is broader than any one celebrated figure. UNESCO’s profile associates Kozhikode with Vaikom Muhammad Basheer (1908–1994), S. K. Pottekkatt, M. T. Vasudevan Nair, Uroob, Thikkodiyan, Sukumar Azhikode and P. Valsala, among others.
Basheer offers a useful entry point for readers encountering Malayalam literature. UNESCO describes him as a major Malayalam storyteller and notes that he received the Padma Shri in 1982. His prominence helps explain the strength of Kozhikode’s literary heritage, but the city’s recognition reflects a wider community of writers and institutions.
Rank #2
- 5-in-1 USB-C Hub: Experience comprehensive connectivity featuring a Power Delivery input, two USB-A 2.0 ports, a USB-A 3.0 port, and an HDMI port. (Note: The USB-C power delivery input port is only for connecting an external wall charger to power your laptop and cannot power peripheral devices.)
- 90W Pass-Through Charging: Achieve optimal charging with 90W pass-through power to your laptop, supported by a total input of 100W, with the hub reserving 10W for operational efficiency. (Note: Wall charger not included.)
- Quick Data Transfers: Accelerate your productivity with rapid data transfers using a high-speed 5Gbps USB 3.0 port and two 480Mbps USB 2.0 ports.
- 4K HDMI Display: Enhance your visual experience with a hub capable of delivering 4K resolution at 30Hz in both mirror and extend modes. Please note that this hub is compatible with MacBook (macOS 12 and newer), Windows 10 and 11, ChromeOS, and laptops equipped with DP Alt Mode and Power Delivery. Note: This device is not compatible with Linux.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (5-in-1, 4K HDMI), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
Publishing and reading infrastructure
UNESCO’s profile, accessed in 2026, reports more than 70 publishing houses, 400–500 books published annually and 545 libraries in Kozhikode. The Government of India’s Sangeet Natak Akademi profile reports the same figures. These are institutional-profile figures, not an independently audited current count; the profiles do not state the original measurement year.
| Measure | Reported figure | Source and qualification |
|---|---|---|
| Publishing houses | More than 70 | UNESCO profile, accessed 2026; original count year not stated |
| Books published annually | 400–500 | UNESCO profile, accessed 2026; original count year not stated |
| Libraries | 545 | UNESCO profile, accessed 2026; original count year not stated |
The Sangeet Natak Akademi’s Kozhikode profile corroborates these figures. Neither institutional profile supplies a publication year for them, so they should be read as profile-reported indicators rather than a precise snapshot of the city’s current totals.
Recommended Free Tools
Rank #3
- Sleek 7-in-1 USB-C Hub: Features an HDMI port, two USB-A 3.0 ports, and a USB-C data port, each providing 5Gbps transfer speeds. It also includes a USB-C PD input port for charging up to 100W and dual SD and TF card slots, all in a compact design.
- Flawless 4K@60Hz Video with HDMI: Delivers exceptional clarity and smoothness with its 4K@60Hz HDMI port, making it ideal for high-definition presentations and entertainment. (Note: Only the HDMI port supports video projection; the USB-C port is for data transfer only.)
- Double Up on Efficiency: The two USB-A 3.0 ports and a USB-C port support a fast 5Gbps data rate, significantly boosting your transfer speeds and improving productivity.
- Fast and Reliable 85W Charging: Offers high-capacity, speedy charging for laptops up to 85W, so you spend less time tethered to an outlet and more time being productive.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (7-in-1), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
Awards and literary events
UNESCO and Sangeet Natak Akademi identify awards including the P. A. Lalitha Award, S. K. Pottekkatt Literature Award and Mathrubhumi Literary Award. Such honors add recognition and visibility to literary work alongside the less visible foundations of publishers, libraries and readership.
The Sangeet Natak Akademi profile also describes the 40-day Beypore Art, Craft, Tourism, and Literature Festival, which commemorates Basheer, and notes the Kerala Literature Festival. The latter is a prominent contemporary gathering, but it is one part of the city’s literary landscape—not an established single cause of UNESCO’s decision.
Rank #4
- Dual Converters, Infinite Potential：Includes 2× USB C male to USB A female adapters and 2× USB A male to USB C female adapters. Perfect for a wide range of uses—tablets with Bluetooth keyboards, expand USB ports on macbook, and more. Two different converters for all your daily needs
- Next-Level 10Gbps & 3A Charging: No more slow 480Mbps, this usb to usb c adapter has a transfer speed of up to 10Gbps, allowing you to do more transferring in less time. This usb adapter fits both USB A and USB C charger, supporting up to 3A fast charging
- Upgraded Exquisite Craftsmanship: With an aluminum alloy housing and metal connector, the usbc to usb adapter is extremely durable and sturdy. Rigorously tested to withstand more than 10,000 times of plugging and unplugging, ensuring long-lasting performance
- Broad Compatible: The usb c to usb adapter widely supports all USB C/ USB A devices like laptops, tablets, cellphones, car chargers, and phone chargers. Such as compatible with MacBook Pro/Air 2023/2022, Thunderbolt 4/3 Devices,Apple MagSafe Watch 9/8/7/SE/Ultra, iPad Pro 2022/2021, Samsung Galaxy S23/S20/S10, and iPhone 17/16/15 Pro. Plug and play
- Please Note: To reach 10Gbps speed, keep the cable under 3.3 ft. For USB A Male to USB C adapters, try flipping the USB C connector. USB C Male to USB A adapters support bidirectional 10Gbps transfer within 3.3 ft
How the designation came about
In a 2024 report, The Indian Express quoted Kozhikode Mayor Beena Philip as saying that the idea of seeking a City of Literature identity first came to Kerala Institute of Local Administration director Ajit Kaliyath in October 2021. This is the mayor’s account as reported by the newspaper, rather than an independently documented application timeline. UNESCO’s profile records the designation in 2023.
What the Kerala Literature Festival adds
The festival’s official about page says it was founded in 2016, takes place annually on Kozhikode’s beaches, and is organized by the DC Kizhakemuri Foundation with DC Books as co-promoter. It provides a visible public forum for literary exchange, helping connect the city’s publishing and reading culture with live events. Its role is best understood as one expression of Kozhikode’s broader literary life, not proof of the specific reasoning behind UNESCO’s designation.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Best Value
- 5-in-1 Connectivity: Equipped with a 4K HDMI port, a 5 Gbps USB-C data port, two 5 Gbps USB-A ports, and a USB C 100W PD-IN port. Note: The USB C 100W PD-IN port supports only charging and does not support data transfer devices such as headphones or speakers.
- Powerful Pass-Through Charging: Supports up to 85W pass-through charging so you can power up your laptop while you use the hub. Note: Pass-through charging requires a charger (not included). Note: To achieve full power for iPad, we recommend using a 45W wall charger.
- Transfer Files in Seconds: Move files to and from your laptop at speeds of up to 5 Gbps via the USB-C and USB-A data ports. Note: The USB C 5Gbps Data port does not support video output.
- HD Display: Connect to the HDMI port to stream or mirror content to an external monitor in resolutions of up to 4K@30Hz. Note: The USB-C ports do not support video output.
- What You Get: Anker 332 USB-C Hub (5-in-1), welcome guide, our worry-free 18-month warranty, and friendly customer service.
Festival dates and arrangements can change by edition; consult the organizer’s current information before planning a visit.
What the recognition does—and does not—tell us
The designation recognizes Kozhikode as a Literature city within an international creative-cities network. UNESCO’s public profile documents the city’s literary institutions and traditions, but no detailed evaluation report or formal scoring rationale is established here. It is therefore more accurate to explain the recognition through the documented ecosystem than to claim UNESCO singled out a particular festival, writer or statistic as decisive.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
