Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has urged the non-resident Indian (NRI) community in the U.S. to contribute to the growth of various sectors in the State.
He was speaking after inaugurating a convention of the Federation of Malayali Associations of Americas (FOMAA) here on Friday.
Underlining the role played by expatriates in the State’s growth, Mr. Vijayan said the Kerala model of development might not have led to huge financial gains, but had brought about social development that had surprised even developed countries. This was the result of land reformation introduced in the State. After the land reformation, it was the non-resident Keralites who had proved to be biggest factor in the State’s development. When the State was on the verge of a major financial crisis, it was the remittances by the expatriate community that had kept the State up on its feet.
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The Chief Minister said the FOMAA was the link between the U.S. and the India. Each Malayali expatriate should keep in mind that whatever be the limitations of their State, there were many things about it that one could be proud of. One was universal education. The strides made by the State in the education sector had contributed to Keralites making a successful life for themselves on foreign shores. Another was the standard of living, the fair wages for work contributing significantly to it. The secularism enshrined in the Constitution was visible across the State.
The NRI community had done a lot for the State, but more needed to be done, Mr. Vijayan said, calling for the participation of every expatriate in such efforts. For instance, in the area of housing for the homeless, the government’s efforts alone would not suffice. The NRI community should come forward to supplement its efforts. Jobs for the jobless, medical facilities, and study material for children were the other areas where they could make a contribution to.
The expatriates could make a difference in the area of public education by supporting efforts to improve schools and educational quality. In the health sector too, their contribution was needed. Waste management, rejuvenation of rivers, and promotion of agriculture were some of the other areas where they could chip in.
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The Chief Minister presented the FOMAA lifetime and businessman of the year awards on the occasion.
The association also gave away education assistance for 100 cancer survivors through the Regional Cancer Centre. Minister for Transport Thomas Chandy; MLAs Mons Joseph and Raju Abraham; BJP leader V. Muraleedharan; and FOMAA president Benny Vachachra were present.