Kerala Governor R. S. Gavai on Tuesday said domestic violence and harassment of women in public and work places remained unabated and the mechanisms put in place to check such infringements should be made more “effective and responsive”.
Speaking at the Republic Day parade here, Mr. Gavai said it was also a matter of concern that certain terror linked activities were brought to light in Kerala. He called for “extra ordinary efforts” to address low nutritional levels of women and children, high cost of medical treatment and inadequate disease control mechanisms.
The higher education system should be revamped and made more contemporary. “Our children have immense potential. We must nurture and groom them to be eminent academic leaders”, he said.
The Governor noted that the increase in the prices of essential commodities eroded the “base of the family budget of the common man”. Non Resident Indians should be given more incentives for investing in the State. Kerala, being a coastal State, should be concerned about global climate change and its consequences.
The mega projects in Kerala, chiefly the University for Health and Allied Sciences, Vallarpadam and Kochi container terminals, should be executed in a time bound manner. The building of modern sporting infrastructure, in view of the next national games, would give added impetus to budding sportspersons.
Mr. Gavai remembered the victims of the boat tragedies in Thekaddy and Malappuram and also the gas tanker lorry mishap at Karunagapally.
Earlier, Mr. Gavai unfurled the National Flag and took the National Salute. Wing Commander J. James, Southern Air Command, Indian Air Force, led the parade. Captain Jinu Thankappan, 16th Battalion, The Madras Regiment, was the second in command.
Chief Minister V. S. Achuthanandan, Chief Secretary Neela Gangadharan and Director General of Police, Jacob Punnoose, were among those present.
