Chief Minister Oommen Chandy, who on Saturday led Kerala in celebrating the nation’s 69th Independence Day with gaiety, patriotic fervour and enthusiasm, announced several new programmes for the development of the State and welfare of its people.
Giving his Independence Day message to the people after unfurling the Tricolour and taking the salute of the various forces, NCC, Scouts and Guides, etc. at the Central Stadium in Thiruvanantha-puram, Chandy vowed to take to completion all the development projects his Government had initiated.
One of the projects he announced on the special day was the Youth Challenge Programme, which would be known in the name of the former President, late APJ Abdul Kalam. The goal of the programme meant for the students of the five universities in the State was to transform their novel ideas into industrial ventures.
The varsity students could participate in the programme on individual or group level, he said. The group which put forward the best ideas would be given financial assistance of Rs5 lakh for a year. An assistance of Rs50 lakh would be given to the group which implemented the best idea, the Chief Minister said.
Chandy announced that 21 mega projects costing Rs3,770 crore would be implemented under the Public Works Department. A body called Kerala Sustainable Development Council would be formed for implementing sustainable development projects, he said, adding that the Government would go ahead with the light metro projects for Thiruvananthapuram and Kozhikode cities.
Implementation of Phase 2 of the Digital literacy drive and strengthening of the Vigilant Kerala programme against corruption with the involvement of the people were on the list of priorities of the Government, the Chief Minister said. The Government would also take steps to encourage organic farming and to stop the sales of pesticide-laden vegetables.
He claimed that the Congress-led UDF Government he was heading had distributed Rs12,350 crore to the people through various welfare schemes in the past four years. “We can set a new beginning for our State if all the people start dreaming and thinking about its infinite potential and work together,” the Chief Minister said.
Independence Day celebrations were held at different district headquarters under the leadership of different Ministers. While Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala led the celebrations in Kollam, Finance Minister KM Mani unfurled the national flag at the Police Parade Ground in Kottayam. In Idukki, the celebrations were led by Water Resources Minister PJ Joseph.
In Kochi, the national flag was unfurled by Excise and Fisheries Minister K Babu while this was done by Cooperation Minister CN Balakrishnan in Thrissur and Industries Minister PK Kunhalikutty in Malappuram. Culture Minister KC Joseph and Agriculture Minister KP Mohanan led the celebrations in Kannur and Kasaragod respectively.
The Southern Naval Command celebrated the Independence Day at its headquarters, Naval Base, in Kochi with a ceremonial parade reviewed by Vice Admiral Sunil lanba, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief. The Admiral also paid floral tributes to the departed shipmates at the War Memorial at Naval Base. The Independence Day was also celebrated at all main centres in the State, Government offices, educational institutions, offices of political parties, etc. Apart from Independence Day processions by students and children, parades were also held.