Keralam’s 70th anniversary marks beginning of dream journey to become India’s best State: CM

The 70th anniversary of Keralam’s formation marks the beginning of a dream journey to make the State the best in India, said Chief Minister V. D. Satheesan, here on Friday.

He was speaking at the launch of the logo for ‘Festival of Kerala 2026’ at the at the Sankara Narayanan Thampi Hall in the Legislative Assembly complex.

Paying tributes to the countless people whose hard work helped Keralam reach where it is today, the Chief Minister said that the State must aspire to greater heights. He said the government was pursuing many dreams for the State and that much tireless efforts would be needed to realise these dreams.

The first phase of celebrations marking seven decades of the State’s formation will be celebrated as “Festival Kerala” in Chennai, Bengaluru, Mumbai, New Delhi and Kolkata, beginning on November 1. Besides showcasing Kerala’s distinctive art forms and cultural heritage, Festival Keralam will also be an occasion to showcase the investment opportunities in the State.

The government’s aim is to take Keralam to the global front ranks by achieving the country’s highest educational standards, an established health sector, industrial progress, entrepreneurship, ample employment opportunities, sound public finances, and robust welfare and development programmes.

Mr. Satheesan said that while conserving Keralam’s art, literature, writing and reading traditions, the State would retain its lead in areas where it is already ahead and strive to catch up in areas where it is found lagging. He appealed for everyone’s support and cooperation in this collective endeavour.

The logo of Festival of Keralam 2026 was unveiled jointly by the Chief Minister, Deputy Speaker Shanimol Usman and Minister P. C. Vishnunath, along with two representatives of the younger generation, Aaveerbhav and Eva Anil, and two 70-year-olds, Sumathi and Sundaran Nadar.

Speaker Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan, the Deputy Speaker and Mr. Vishnunath offered felicitations. General Administration Principal Secretary B. Ashok welcomed the gathering while the Sports and Youth Affairs Secretary N. Prasanth proposed the vote of thanks.

Ministers N. Shamsudheen, P. K. Basheer, Sunny Joseph, C. P. John, K. A. Thulasi, Bindu Krishna, Roji M. John, V. E. Abdul Gafoor and Mons Joseph; MLAs K. K. Rema, Praveen and Gopakumar and the Chief Secretary Biswanath Sinha were present on the occasion.’