KNOWLEDGE BASED DEVELOPMENT AND CREATION OF NAVA KERALAM

Kerala has achieved envious development goals during the past decade in both development and welfare aspects. Here’s is the excerpt from the New Year speech by Chief Minister that reflects the vision and mission of the government.

-Pinarayi Vijayan
Chief Minister

We are stepping into a new year with the strides of knowledge-based development leading us toward a New Kerala. The time of now flashes light of prosperity, peace, and progress. Over the past decade, Kerala has witnessed revolutionary transformations. We have created the ‘Kerala Model’ under the leadership of the state government that has drawn global attention in every sphere, including development and social security. This is not merely an administrative intervention, but rather a social awakening rooted on secularism, equality, and democracy.
Easing the burden of people’s lives is the declared goal of this government. As part of that, the government has been making serious interventions in the field of social security. Raising the social security pensions to ₹2,000 is proof of the government’s care for the poor. Today, pensions are being delivered regularly to nearly 64 lakhs people. In addition, the revolutionary decision to ensure pensions for homemakers with no other source of income marks a significant milestone in the sphere of women’s empowerment.

The increase inthe honorarium of ASHA workers and other scheme workersis recognition of their hard work. The announcement of Connect to Work scholarships for young men and women participating in competitive exams or skill training, along with increased public investment in education, is meant to strengthen the foundation of New Kerala. On one side, while the central government withdraws from welfare schemes, our people-centric alternative while simultaneously advancing in developmentmakes Kerala stand apart.
Over the past ten years, Kerala has made commendable achievements in the fields of health and education. Through the Aardram Mission, our primary health centres have been transformed into family health centres. The most advanced medical facilities have been made available free of cost to ordinary people in government hospitals. In reducing infant mortality and increasing average life expectancy, we have attained results comparable to developed nations. Even the most advanced surgeries, such as heart transplants, are being carried out in our government hospitals.
Through the pothuvidyabhyasasamrakshanayanjam (General Education Protection Campaign, government schools have become hi-tech. We have witnessed drop-out children returnto schools. World-class laboratories and smart classrooms are no longer unfamiliar to the children of ordinary families. With the aim of transforming Kerala into a global knowledge society, the state government has been making serious interventions in higher education. The four-year undergraduate courses introduced from the 2024–25 academic year will provide students with international-level learning opportunities and nurture research interests. Through curriculum reforms and innovative systems such as the Digital University, efforts are being made to ensure not only knowledge production but also employable skills. The government’s goal is to empower our youth to compete anywhere in the world by providing internships and practical training alongside studies.

Once on the verge of collapse, KSRTC was steered into profitability and public acceptancethrough scientific reforms. By implementing modern technologies in the transport sector and introducing new electric buses, we have taken the first steps toward eco-friendly transportation. The K-Swift services have already been embraced by the people within a short span of time. Through corruption-free administration and precise planning, we have succeeded in making the public transport system more efficient and financially sustainable.
Kerala’s greatest achievement has been attaining the status of a state free from extreme poverty. Families who had been pushed to the margins of society, unable even to raise their voices, were identified and brought into the mainstream of life. By ensuring food security, healthcare, and income sources, Kerala adopted a scientific approach that eradicated poverty at its roots.
Alongside protecting traditional industries, Kerala is transforming into a hub of knowledge-based industries. “Investor-friendly Kerala” is not merely a slogan but a practical reality. Kerala’s achievements in the Ease of Doing Business rankings has become a model for the entire nation. Here, not only investors but also workers are guaranteed safety and dignity in a labour-friendly environment. The transformation in the micro, small, and medium sectors has strengthened the state’s economic stability and created millions of job opportunities.
The strength behind this industrial surge is Kerala’s outstanding startup ecosystem. Today, Kerala has become one of the finest startup hubs in the world. Under the leadership of the Kerala Startup Mission, more than five thousand startups are currently operating in the state. Kerala has been mentioned in the Global Startup Ecosystem Report, and many international recognitions have also come to our startups.

We are witnessing a transformation where young people are no longer merely job seekers but are becoming job creators. The government ensures capital support, mentorship, and incubation facilities for startups. This environment greatly helps our youth to find markets for their creative ideas and establish their presence globally. Beyond the IT sector, startups are creating revolutions in agriculture, fisheries, digital governance, and healthcare. For those who spread the notion that Kerala is in financial crisis, our growth figures are the answer. Kerala’s economy has grown three and a half times in fifteen years. The state’s Gross Domestic Product has risen from ₹3.64 lakh crore in 2011–12 to ₹12.49 lakh crore in 2024–25. Kerala’s debt is also decreasing, and according to official records released by the central government itself, Kerala ranks only fifteenth among Indian states in terms of debt levels.Recent reports revealed that Kerala has risen from the 11th to the 7th position among Indian states in terms of per capita income. These are news items that fill Malayalis with pride, while at the same time causing discomfort to those who spread falsehoods about Kerala’s economy.

We have realised the goal of “Housing for All through the Life Mission. So far, nearly 4.75 lakhs amilies have received secure homes. Even though the central government’s share was relatively small, the state government itself took the initiative to make the poor man’s dream a reality. For the survivors of the Mundakkai–Chooralmala landslide, the government is constructing a township where the concrete work for 200 houses has already been completed. In the township being built in Kalpetta city, the concrete work for all beneficiary families’ houses is expected to be completed before January 15. These achievements prove that fulfilling promises is the hallmark of this government. Equally important as Kerala’s developmental achievements is its social environment. While communal hatred and divisiveness take root in many parts of India, Kerala stands firm as a bastion of secularism. This secular outlook is the foundation of Kerala’s development. This must be preserved. When communalism attempts to break the unity of the nation, we must lead an uncompromising struggle against it. What is relevant in this era is not opportunistic politics that compromises with communal forces for power, but a people-centric alternative that embraces all sections of society.

Over the past ten years, Kerala has remained a state free from communal conflicts and minority persecution. Today, the question we face is simple: should we continue with development and peace, or allow communalism and anti-development forces to destroy the state? To accelerate the building of New Kerala and to safeguard secular Kerala with greater strength, the people-centric alternatives of this government must continue. The government has a clear developmental blueprint for what Kerala should look like in the future. One of the most important components of this is Vision 2031. Through Vision 2031, the government aims to make Kerala a global hub in emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and data science, elevate higher education to international standards, and create a revolution of value-added products in agriculture and industry. Building an environmentally friendly green economy and advancing modern infrastructure development are also given great importance in this vision. To gather suggestions and ideas for the state’s future development, a program called Citizens’ Response has been launched. This initiative helps identify the development needs of each region and deliver appropriate projects there. This program is designed to strengthen the creation of NavaKeralam, and society as a whole must cooperate positively with it.Kerala will stand stronger against those who attempt to disrupt our unity and developmental progress. There may be obstacles, but with unwavering determination we will march forward together to build New Kerala, rooted in a knowledge economy. Beyond caste and religion, as humans united, let us step into the new year together.

Burbs
1. Government schools have become hi-tech. We have witnessed drop-out children returnto schools. World-class laboratories and smart classrooms are no longer unfamiliar to the children of ordinary families.
2. Through Vision 2031, the government aims to make Kerala a global hub in emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and data science, elevate higher education to international standards, and create a revolution of value-added products in agriculture and industry.
3. What is relevant in this era is not opportunistic politics that compromises with communal forces for power, but a people-centric alternative that embraces all sections of society.