Kerala turns 60; kick starts celebrations

Addressing a special session at the state Assembly to mark the day, he said Kerala might be the lone state where one graduates without studying the mother tongue. Malayalam had been side-lined even in the examinations, conducted by the state-run Public Service Commission, he said. 

"We should make compulsory the study of our mother tongue Malayalam. We are yet to make Malayalam the medium of study and administration even now," he said. Recounting the significant contributions by renaissance movement leaders for the social development and upliftment in the state, Vijayan said the LDF government was committed to carry forward the achievements so far.

Later, inaugurating the year-long anniversary celebrations at the Assembly complex, in which a galaxy of personalities from various walks of life participated, he said that Kerala, with its limited resources, had made remarkable achievements in universal education and public health system in the last 60 years.

Though the 'Kerala model' of education had been lauded the world over, the state could not make any remarkable improvement in its quality in the higher education sector. "The slogan of House for All is still remains a dream. Effective intervention is needed in this area," he said. 

The Chief Minister said the LDF government had lined up various initiatives to take the state forward by utilising the state's inherent potential to the maximum. Colourful cultural festivities marked the function, in which writers, artists and religious leaders like Philipose Mar Chrysostom Mar Thoma Metropolitan, besides ministers and MLAs participated. 

The state was able to implement reservation for Backward Classes and ensured minimum wages to all. "This has actually led to the social development in Kerala, which is not witnessed in any other parts of the country," he said. However, the CM also pointed out certain issues faced by the state in housing, agriculture and education sectors. 

Kerala has become the third Open Defecation Free (ODF) state in the country. The announcement was made on the state's foundation day today. Earlier, Himachal Pradesh and Sikkim had declared themselves Open Defecation Free. "Kerala has become an ODF state today," Drinking Water and Sanitation Secretary Parameswaran Iyer said. He said over 1 lakh villages across the country have become ODF. "Kerala becomes first high density populated state in the country to achieve Open Defecation Free status today on its formation day," Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said in a tweet. Meanwhile, a source said three more states--Gujarat, Haryana and Uttarakhand--will be announcing themselves as ODF soon.

As the controversy brews over the CPI(M)-led LDF government not inviting Governor P Sathasivam to a function organised to commemorate the 60th year celebrations of Kerala formation day on Tuesday, with Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan saying it is due to ‘protocol issues’.

Vijayan, while addressing the inaugural function held at the Assembly complex here, said the state government had not ‘forgotten’ the Governor as stated in some quarters. "It is due to protocol issues, that a collective decision was taken on the matter", he said.

"If Governor was invited, only a limited number of people could be accommodated on stage. But as you can see now, there are more than 60 persons from various fields, who are on the stage," Vijayan said clarifying the government's stand on the matter.

Meanwhile, a Raj Bhavan source said propriety demands that the head of state has a role in state's diamond jubilee celebrations function. "The fact that there was no role for the head of the state at the function, there is lack of propriety. The Governor was neither informed about the function nor invited", the source said. However, Sathasivam, who left for Chennai on Tuesday morning, has not expressed any discontent over the issue to the state government. 

"Questions have been raised from various quarters why the state Governor, who is the head of the state, has not been invited. As a function being organised by the state Assembly, naturally, we discussed the matter with the Opposition leaders also," he said.

"First we thought of inviting the Governor. Then the issue of protocol came up. If Governor is in the venue, only a limited number of persons can be accommodated", he added. Year-long programmes have been lined up as part of the diamond jubilee celebrations and a function 'more attractive', will be held later in which the Governor will be invited, Vijayan said.

"It could be held either in the middle of the year or as a valedictory function. So, we have not forgotten the Governor. I wish to inform you this here", he said.