Kerala setting newer models for the world, says Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan

The human development gains made by Kerala are not the end of a path but the starting point for a new stage of economic and social progress, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said on Sunday, calling this the ‘central idea’ of the State government’s Vision 2031 for the State.

Inaugurating the three-day ‘Vision 2031: An International Conference on Development and Democracy’ organised by the State Planning Board here, Mr. Vijayan said Kerala is setting newer models for the world by constantly renewing itself in tune with the needs of the changing times. “As Kerala approaches its 75th year (in 2031), the goal is not merely to celebrate past achievements. The goal is to prepare for the future: an economy that is productive and knowledge-based, a society that is inclusive and just, a State that is resilient in the face of climate challenges, and a democracy that continues to value discussion and participation,” he said.

Society’s effort

The coming five years offer the State an opportunity to bring together growth and justice, technology and humanity, modernisation and sustainability. “Kerala’s history shows that such a balance is possible,” he said. The success of this vision, according to him, hinges not merely on government action, but on a collective effort by society.

He described the Vision 2031 conference, in which more than 120 international experts are participating, as not just a review exercise, but an effort to chart the next phase of Kerala’s development journey. When Kerala completes 75 years as a State, it will also be a moment that demands reflection and imagination, he said. “Seventy-five years is a long period, enough to assess where we began, what we have achieved, and what remains to be done.”

Mr. Vijayan described fiscal constraints and the Centre’s restrictions on borrowing and revenue centralisation as challenges that Kerala continues to face.

Economist and Nobel laureate Amartya Sen and historian Romila Thapar joined the inaugural session online. World Food Prize laureate Shakuntala Thilsted; Ambassador of Palestine to India Abdullah Abu Shawesh; senior Congress leader and former Union Minister Mani Shankar Aiyar; member of the Provincial Government of Havana, Cuba, Aymee Alejandra Díaz Negrin; State Planning Board Vice-Chairman V.K. Ramachandran; Ministers V.N. Vasavan, R. Bindu, P. Prasad, A.K. Saseendran; and Chief Secretary A. Jayathilak spoke in the inaugural session. Minister for Food and Civil Supplies G.R. Anil presided.

18 seminars

According to the Planning Board, the three-day event is intended to chart the future course for the State. On Monday, 18 thematic seminars will be held across nine venues across the capital city. The Chief Minister will address the closing ceremony at the Sankaranarayanan Thampi Members’ Lounge of the Legislative Assembly on Tuesday. A seminar, ‘Secularism, Democracy and Consultative Government,’ is planned on the occasion.