Union Defence Minister A.K. Antony has urged those holding key positions in the political, social, and media arenas to recognise the winds of change in Kerala society and adopt changes in their style of functioning so as to realise the dreams and aspirations of the new generation.
“They dream of fast-paced development, renewal, and progress and aspire for the realisation of their dreams,” Mr. Antony said while inaugurating the work on the proposed Kerala Science City at Kuravilangad, near here, on Saturday.
The new and old generations should read the message and work accordingly, he said. According to him, India is emerging as a knowledge society and this is relevant, especially in the case of Kerala which is rich in human resources. The basis of a knowledge society is in science and technology and the proposed science city would function as a catalyst to imbibe scientific temper in the coming generations, he said.
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While science cities are usually established in metros, the efforts taken by Jose K. Mani, MP, have made it possible to bring the project to a village, he said.
In his presidential address, Chief Minister Oommen Chandy reminded the younger generation that they were fortunate enough to get new opportunities that the past generations could not dream of. Now it is up to them to make use of the new avenues that are opening up.
Mr. Chandy said his government had taken the unprecedented step of earmarking one per cent of the budget for the youth. These huge funds are now at the disposal of those who come forward with workable projects.
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“If we give our youngsters the opportunities they deserve, I am sure that they could build a Silicon Valley here itself,” Mr Chandy said and pointed to the experience of five student entrepreneurs who had a hands-on experience of Silicon Valley they had visited as part of the initiative that had been launched by the State government to inculcate entrepreneurship in the young generation.
Finance Minister K M Mani, in his address, said the project would help to make the village an education destination and the cumulative impact generated by the project would be much more than the Rs.100 crore estimated for the work. Jose K. Mani, MP, welcomed the gathering. P.K. Abdu Rabb, Minister for Education; Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan, Minister for Forests and Transport; Dr. K Radhakrishnan, chairman ISRO; Mons Joseph, K Ajith (MLAs); and others spoke on the occasion.
The project with financial outlay of Rs.100 crore will be implemented jointly by the Union and State governments sharing the burden in the ratio 60:40.