Emerging Kerala, KC Blog http://www.kochousephchittilappilly.com/view-blog/274/EMERGING_KERALA/

1. EMERGING KERALA
Kochouseph Chittilappilly

2. • ‘Emerging Kerala’ has just concluded. I attended the meet as a delegate. A
number of projects were announced. Many feel positive. Some remain
skeptical. Quoting the experience of earlier GIM (Global Investor’s Meet)
and the failed opportunities, they ask ‘Other than the mere filling up of
potholes over the roads and planting of a few shrubs along the roadway,
would something really happen this time? ’. But, I’m more than hopeful.
• This time, the winds are in our favor. The political and investment climate
is fairly conducive. It’s true that we didn’t gain much from the GIM, way
back in 2003. The Metro Rail Project, which has started rolling only now,
was included therein. We even talked of the Express Highway. But amidst
all that talk of dividing the State into two halves, that opportunity was
also lost. We still rue the lost chances. I recall that Sri. A.K.Antony was at
the helm, in our State, while the NDA Government, led by Sri.
A.B.Vajpayee, governed at the Centre. Later, Sri. V.S.Achutanandan led
the State government. But by then, the UPA had come into power at the
Centre. After several years, we have a favorable situation where the same
political party rules both at the Centre and at the State. That might help
and if something happens, it should be now.

3. • Being a keen observer, I feel that there is a reversal of trends as regards
investment within the State. Perhaps fuelled by the economic
meltdown and the short economic cycles that have gripped the world,
Non Resident Keralites are increasingly looking at Kerala as an
investment destination. It’s a far cry from the past when investment
flowed out of Kerala. More and more youngsters, particularly in the IT
domain, are increasingly returning to Kerala to work and settle here
whereas there was a huge outflow to IT hubs like Bangalore, earlier.
These are factors that we should harness.
• Recently I read with interest, the words of Sri. Amitabh Kant, CEO & MD
of Delhi Mumbai Industrial Corridor Development Corporation. To
quote his words, ‘The use of technology and growth in manufacturing is
imperative for the growth of India’. Growth is largely due to
industrialization and urbanization; I couldn’t agree more. We did reap
the benefits of the ‘Green revolution’. It was indeed relevant, then. But,
as other nations steal a march over us, we can’t continue to depend on
agriculture alone.

4. • A few days spent in China last year, opened my eyes to the infinite
possibilities that infrastructure development throws open. You might
have read of my experience in my earlier blogs (China shining, India….?
dated 11.11.2011 & Infrastructure - The Key to economic growth dated
25.11.2011 ). Incidentally, I also recall here, the statement of Sri.
Montek Singh Ahluwalia, Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission,
on utilization of paddy fields for purposes other than agriculture. The
statement drew much flak. And for a moment, I thought of countless
paddy fields lying uncultivated and forlorn, on either sides of the road
that I travel. Of course, we should preserve the environment. But, can’t
we strike a balance ?
• As an entrepreneur, hailing from Kerala, I’m convinced that ours is a
land of infinite possibilities. But, we never attempted to assess our
strengths and weaknesses. IT, tourism and health are all avenues that
hold immense potential. Strong political will, transparent bureaucracy
and a change in the perception of our people hold the key. ‘Emerging
Kerala’ is a step in the right direction and with concerted effort, the
blue bird, it’s mascot, would indeed flutter it’s wings and fly.

5. Thanks For Reading
EMERGING KERALA
Kochouseph Chittilappilly