Here, I must mention that one of the Ministers in that Ministry was known to me personally – Justice V R Krishna Iyer. He handled Home Affairs, Law,Prisons, Irrigation and Electricity.

We are also fortunate that one member of that Ministry, Smt K R Gauri Amma, who handled Revenue and Excise,  is alive today. I am told she is 96 years young and bold as ever.

       That Government, led by the Late E. M. S.  Namboothiripad had initiated progressive steps that went a long way to transform the social fabric of the State. The law relating to Land Reforms, the steps taken for improving Education and the establishment of the Public Service Commission were some of the revolutionary steps that pointed to the strong will of the Government.  Minimum wages for labourers, protection to Trade union rights and the efforts to decentralize administration were also the contribution of that Government. Many sociologists have opined that these people friendly measures helped to instil in the people, a sense of social equality and awareness that have now become the  hallmark of Keralites. 

         Canadian born social scientist Robin Jeffrey has noted about the changes that happened in  Kerala under democratic rule.  He says that as a result of   progressive thinking,

“The bowed head and cupped hand of deference was replaced by the shaken fist of defiance. In a single generation, life expectancy rose by 20 years”.

The  message that the  first government  gave to the people was that human beings had an immense capacity for change.  And the people of Kerala took that message very well.

       Today, as we celebrate the Vajra Jubilee of that  first elected  Government, we also thankfully recall the services of many other stalwarts who led Kerala's Governments in later years. The political visionaries like   Late   Pattom Thanu Pillai, Late   R. Sankar,   Late   C. Achyutha Menon, the Late  .K. Karunakaran, Shri. A.K. Antony ,  Late  P .K .Vasudevan Nair,   Late  C. H. Mohamed Koya,   Late   E. K. Nayanar, Shri. Oommen Chandy and Shri. V .S . Achuthanandan have, through their strong and committed leadership, led the destiny of this State in later years.  They had different political views, but all of them dreamed about and worked hard for the progress of the State. What the State of Kerala enjoys today, is the    legacy handed down to us by these dedicated administrators.  Shri. Pinarayi Vijayan, our present Chief Minister is fortunate to hold the baton handed over by these leaders whose contribution to the welfare of the State can never be forgotten.

       On the Vajra Jubilee of the formation of our first Government, we are also fully aware of some of our limitations. But, our limitations cannot in anyway, undermine our achievements in the last six decades. Though Kerala accounts for   hardly three percent of India's population, we  have always been,  and will continue  to be a 'thought leader' for the rest of India, with very high literacy and human development indices that are at par with the most advanced societies of the world. 

       In the last sixty years, Kerala has moved from poverty to plenty. The economy's turn-around during the mid eighties had initiated a comfortable growth and by 2012, our State was the highest receiver of overall remittances to India.  Our progress in the cultural arena, which includes literature, cinema and other arts has been phenomenal and our mother tongue Malayalam has been conferred the status of a Classical Language. And now, we could also make the study of Malayalam compulsory in all schools. It is also a matter of pride that  some of the largest read publications of today come from Kerala.  In health , life expectancy, political awareness and even in digital empowerment, there is none to beat Kerala.  In broadening the sphere of activities too, the Keralaite is matchless. Can you show me a single corner in the world, which does not get the service of a Malayali?

       However, these laurels cannot allow us to sit back and relax, since the world is moving ahead at the speed of thought. If our focus deviates a little, we will find many sectors slipping away. For instance, the Kerala Model of development and Health, once celebrated by the world, is no longer a model for the present era. Our agriculture too, needs urgent revival. We cannot allow the number of homeless people to  move  beyond our control. Though much ahead in primary education, our higher education scenario needs a positive push towards excellence.

       It was  at such a juncture that the Government of Kerala moved on the path of rebuilding itself as one of the most advanced societies in the world, with the   Navakeralam Mission. It focuses on  four key areas, namely,  Education, Agriculture & Environment, Housing and  Health. Undoubtedly, these four areas are vital not only to our State, but to our nation as well .  

              I  appreciate the efforts of the State Government, led by Shri. Pinarayi Vijayan in focusing on these key areas with a broad vision that aims at an all round development of the State, in tune with the national goals.

       Harithakeralam, which seeks to revive agriculture and to handle the Ecological challenges, the Aardram Mission, which sees

 People's Healthas a fundamental right and seeks to   improve  quality of our health-care facilities have been well received by the people. The   Livelihood, Inclusion & Financial Empowerment [LIFE]  Missionto  improve the quality of life by providing houses and allied facilities for around 4.75 lakh families, especially from the Aadivasi and Dalit sections, is another major step.    Along with these, we have the package for improving the Education sector, which has started its work by digitizing our classrooms.

       The policy of the government is to ensure long term development and at the same time to give  emergency aid to those in need. The Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board (KIFBI) has been strengthened to provide funds for development. In short, the steps taken for Kerala's development as part of this Vajra  Jubilee would be   milestones in our march ahead.

       We can rightly hope that the efforts of the Government would usher in an era of change and better quality of life. Whatever we do now, will have a bearing on the future of this State.  The future also will have a history, and that would be recorded by generations that come after us. Our greatest mission should be the making of that history.  Some of the major social changes of the future would also require a change of our mind-sets.   For that, let us  remember    the  first elected Government , which gave us the message that  We have an immense capacity for change.  Let us carry  that message in our hearts once again and move ahead, scripting a new Kerala Model of Progress and upholding and strengthening our democratic tradition.

       While we talk of the democratic tradition of Kerala, there are a couple of observations that I have made. One is about the 'Kerala Model' of unity of leaders irrespective of party considerations in times of crisis and in other situations.

       When our former President Dr. A.P. J. Abdul Kalam passed away, the then Chief Minister, Shri. Oommen Chandy,  Opposition Leader Shri. V.S. Achuthanandan and I had gone together for the funeral held at Rameswaram.

       Similarly, when former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Selvi J Jayalalithaa was hospitalized, the present Chief Minister, Shri. Pinarayi Vijayan, former Chief Minister Shri.Oommen Chandy and I went as a team.

       On the funeral of Selvi Jayalallithaa  also, the “Kerala Team” was together ; this time we had Opposition Leader Shri. Ramesh Chennithala with us.  And on all these occasions, people including the Prime Minister had taken note of this unity. To other States, this is another 'Kerala Model' of cooperation beyond political affiliation.

       As a person from the Judiciary, I have attended functions

in almost all the States and only in Kerala have I found an equitable participation of different layers of people's representatives in major functions. In many government functions, even the Ward Member of a Panchayat gets representation and  a seat on the dais.

       This happens only in Kerala, where there is a strong sense of equality and democracy. This is another “Kerala Model” that other States have to learn.

       I wish greater progress and success for our State and our people in the years to come.

       I compliment the Government of Kerala for its efforts to reposition Kerala as one of the most advanced societies of the world.

Ellavarkkum Ente Vajra Jubilee Aashamsakal

Nanni

Jai Hind.