Unique Times Hosts Business Summit

Unique Times recently hosted a business summit on the topic “Empowering Kerala”. The summit which was moderated by Shri MP Joseph IAS (Retired) also comprised of an eminent panel comprising of Mr VP Nandakumar, Managing Director and CEO, Manappuram Finance, Dr (Ms) M Beena

IAS, Chairman, Cochin Port Trust, Mr Loknath Behera IPS, Managing Director, Kochi Metro Rail Limited, Mr S Suhas IAS, Managing Director, CIAL and Adv (CA) Sherry Oommen, a finance professional turned jurist. The summit had participants/ intelligentsia across diverse walks of life and of different ages.

Mr MP Joseph introduced “Ker- ala” as an “Enigma” or a “Contradiction”. He mentioned that while Kerala boasts of achieving pinnacles on certain health and social parameters, such as literacy, and increased longevity of its people, there are a number of areas where the state has been found wanting, for instance, on the decline of manufacturing coupled with the increase in gawking wages. Mr Joseph noted that Kerala was slowly turning into a state infamous for drug, women, child and sexual abuse, which should be addressed immediately.

Dr (Ms) M Beena IAS mentioned that in the terms of road network in the country, Kerala is the best in the country. Dr Beena also stated that there was a lot to be done in the state in ensuring worldclass infrastructure especially considering its multiplier effect. She also mentioned that the time taken to travel between cities in Kerala, for instance between Kochi and Trivandrum could be substantially reduced if the better infrastructure is in place, which requires “hard decisions”. Such world-class infrastructure would also help the tourism industry in Kerala.

Mr VP Nandakumar mentioned that Keralites in general are far more employable. He however cited that it is a disturbing trend that youngsters are leaving Kerala for the purpose of pursuing their higher studies, which should be trans- formed. He mentioned that there is an immediate need to revamp the education sector in Kerala, making it contemporaneous to the present need of the hour. He also stated that Kerala should transform itself into a fintech hub and a destination for unicorns.

Mr Loknath Behera touched on the fact that Kerala is an empowered state, which was evident from the Biennale. He mentioned that the officials at the World Bank spoke highly of the development in the state, which deserves kudos. He also added that mass transportation has to be popularized in the State, failing which there would be a severe strain on the roads. Mr Behera also mentioned that there was a need for digital empowerment in the State, as this would go a long way in improving the lives especially of the senior citizens.

Mr S Suhas IAS mentioned that the state was considering to introduce chopper service with a view to boost the tourism industry. He mentioned that was certain “good news” on the way, which would augur well for the state.

Adv Sherry Oommen mentioned that while India was young, Kerala is clearly turning old. Adv Oommen mentioned that Kerala’s share to the overall FDI was a meagre 0.42 percent, which definitely requires a serious relook as multinational enterprises of the likes of Foxconn moved to Tamil Nadu resulting in close to 30,000 jobs moving from Kerala to Tamil Nadu. He mentioned that the unemployment rate in the state was a whopping 35.4 percent based on the economic survey of 2020-21, while cautioned that the financial position of the State is clearly in the doldrum which necessitates a thorough revamp. Adv Oommen mentioned that the reason given by the Government of Kerala for the revenue deficit being on account of issues concerning GST Compensation is absolutely vacuous. Adv Oommen mentioned that in line with the views of Mr Nandakumar, Kerala should remodel itself as a financial services hub

Dr Arun Oommen MBBS, MS (Gen Surg), MCh (Neurosurgery), MRCSEd,MBA Senior Consultant Neurosurgeon VPS Lakeshore Hospital

The Flynn effect is defined as the sustained increase in the raw intelligence of humans over time.