Tag: KERALA

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Kerala Lite Blogs Travel & Tourism

From experiential to transformational travel

All this is paying off, Data shows Kerala is on the bucket list of over 45% of national travelers, 32% European, and 24% long-haul inter-regional travelers…reports Soniya Kirpalani

Interviewing 250 global luxury and leisure travelers, we are seeing a striking new trend, wherein travel is catalyst for travelers in their choices, reflecting in their ecological footprints, social purpose, lifestyle choices, contemplative practice subtly offering personal growth and self-actualization for travelers.

For the last three seasons, Kerala’s travel and tourism sector stood still. One of its largest contributors to the growth of the state, travel and tourism, was decimated. It is estimated that the industry lost Rs 35,000 crore revenue during the pandemic. However,Kerala’s travel sector is one of the first few to set a roadmap towards recovery, whilst finding silver lining to their dark clouds. This is thanks to the collaboration between Kerala’s boutique hotels, tour operators and Kerala’s leadership, who consciously spurred a swift comeback. During the lockdown they promoted the workcation culture. Upskilling their teams, creating new safety standards, networking and strategizing they worked diligently to revive travel to God’s Own Country.

Bruce Poon Tip, founder of G Adventures says “I still believe travel can be the biggest distributor of wealth the world has ever seen. This pause gives us the gift of time to consider how we can travel more consciously.” His prophecy seems to be playing out in Kerala. Working with the tourism ecosystems in Kerala, the Unknown Planet India’s cofounders were pleasantly surprised to see the foresight of the 30 boutique hospitality properties and 21 Experience Curators they were working with. Team leader Ravi NK says “It was amazing to see them conceptualize and consciously design transformational routes and products, with a clear focus on inter-regional travel development, whist adopting digitizing at exponential speed.”  

“Unlike other states, Kerela’s ecosystems remained proactive, working with renewed commitment exploring this new concept of Transformational Tourism, which does beyond experiential travel. For example, Kerala’s boutique hospitality providers realized the ‘new normal travel’ will need to reflect a traveler’s ‘new normal lifestyle. Redesigning their inhouse and local journeys focusing on traveler’s personal growth and development, they also subtly support local- creative, culinary and cultural providers- planning recovery in amutually beneficial manner.”

Neelambari Resorts, a premium boutique resort in Thrissur which caters to discerning travelers, offering leisure experience, offers a perfect case study. Founder Sreeni T.S explains “I am a technologist with a hospitable heart. I returned to my roots, to reimagine hospitality and travel experiences.” During lockdown Sreeni evangelized existing partnerships, tAyurvedic roots gives us an advantage. Thissur, where Neelambari Resorts is located, was once the cultural, creative capital of Kerela. I wanted to revive this ethos, so as to offer authentic personal development opportunities for travelers.

Designing experiences that entertain and empower his guests Sreeni tapped into Kerala’s inherent strength -Wildlife, Nature Learning, Creative Economy -Kalaripayatu (Martial Arts), Tholppavakkoothu (Puppetry, Song, Dance) Koppu Designers, Koodiyattam (Sanskrit Performers Dancers) and Award Winning Melaamkaar (percussion payers)- offering new skills and personal development. Windermere Retreats, KNDP’s hospitality, CGH Earth, Tyndis Heritage, Blue Yonder, leading stalwarts involved experts to enhance their existing social, cultural. Renjith Hadlee, a Naturalists, Wildlife Architect, designs informative and interactive experience in an intuitive manner where guests Herping, Walking with Elephants, Permaculture Walks learn about ecological footprints whilst experiencing a hereto unknown Kerala.

All this is paying off, Data shows Kerala is on the bucket list of over 45% of national travelers, 32% European, and 24% long-haul inter-regional travelers.

But meaningful travel is just about to start; this will be Kerala’s litmus test. Kerala’s is setting up the pillars of travel, vaccination has been made mandatory (for locals and travelers alike), Covid incidents are almost negligible, regular testing and social safety measure in place as this state opens its borders. Proactively setting high new safety and hospitality standards, consciously creating safe and sustainable routes they are amplifying these new practices through high value marketing, industry meets and events.

Kerala Travel Mart 2022, May 6th to 8th, sets a precursor by hosting1500 regional delegates and 300 international delegates, curating over 55000 Back To Business meetings. Taking charge during tumultuous time, Minister of Kerela Tourism Mr. P.A. Mohamed Riyas analyzes “The two consecutive floods in 2018 and 2019, and now the Covid-19 pandemic has flattened the tourism sector. Yet after the 2018 megafloods, the state reported the highest growth rate in domestic and foreign tourist arrivals in the last 24 years, around 8.5% growth in international travelers 17.8% domestic tourist in 2019”. Yet he cautions that it will take some time for global tourists to return.  

(Picture Credits: Vishnu Deva)

Witnessing the buoyancy at Kerala Travel Market 2022, abuzz with excitement, Sandeep Dayal of Journeymart, a boutique Leisure & Luxury Experience Company says “It is an excellent kick start, revealing KTM’s courage, persistence and resilience by hosting this event. Kerala’s Travel & Tour Fraternity is also revealing their commitment by showcasing sustainable exciting new experiences which holds immense value in a new world order. My own assessment that they have shown the road to resurrecting the industry, generating local employment and accelerate the multiplier economic effect, as they embrace and engage with domestic / regional tourism with greater strategic focus.”

ALSO READ-Kerala FM slams Modi

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Kerala Sport Sports

Blasters FC scripts history with fourth successive victory

Kerala now have 12 points from four outings, while Jamshedpur remain on seven from four games…reports Asian Lite News

The Kerala Blasters FC juggernaut rolled on unabated as they recorded their fourth successive victory with a 2-0 win over Jamshedpur FC in a fourth-round Reliance Foundation Development League (RFDL) match here at the Benaulim Ground on Wednesday.

In another game, Reliance Foundation Young Champs (RFYC) and Chennaiyin FC played a goalless draw at the Nagoa Ground.

In front of a good turnout despite the searing heat, Nihal Sudeesh (27th, 84th) scored a brace on either side of halftime to help Kerala maintain their 100% record and also a fourth clean sheet in as many matches.

Kerala now have 12 points from four outings, while Jamshedpur remain on seven from four games.

It was supposed to be a contest where two evenly matched teams would fight for bragging rights. Jamshedpur, coming on the back of a 5-1 rout of FC Goa fancied their chances against a Kerala side who have looked the part. But at the end of ninety minutes, head coach Tomasz Tchorz’s tactical nous paid off as he not only managed to bottle Jamshedpur’s attack but also counter their physical threat.

Kerala had the players to execute their coach’s plan too, and in the 27th minute that came to light when a good move saw Sreekuttan M.S. cut back for Nihal who slammed home from close range, catching the Jamshedpur defence napping.

The brilliant Ayush Adhikari saw his free kick spilled by Vishal Yadav in Jamshedpur goal, three minutes into the second half as Vincy Barretto, in the middle of another superb outing, forced Yadav into a fine stop as Kerala upped the ante in the second period after dictating the pace of the game in the first.

Finally, the boys in yellow doubled their tally. Barretto found Nihal with a jinking run into the box and then a cute pull-back while off balance. Seeing the keeper out of his line, Nihal slotted the ball into an empty net as he and Kerala capped off another good day in office.

Earlier in the day, RF Young Champs and Chennaiyin FC tried hard to break the deadlock but both lacked teeth upfront. In the first half, Chennaiyin created a few early openings but none a clear-cut chance to cause RF Young Champs goalkeeper Ranit Sarkar any trouble. Ranit was brilliant under the bar, making some outstanding saves.

For the Marina Machans, Sufiyan Shaikh got on the end of a few chances, dragging wide from close on a couple of occasions after some good work in the final third by Suhail Pasha and Johnson Joseph, both back in the starting XI.

RF Young Champs took time to warm up to the game, Mikhil Promod and Rashid CK spurning chances in front of goal. Five minutes before halftime, Shaikh drilled a free header just over the bar as both teams went into the break goalless.

The second half followed almost the same script until the last ten minutes when both teams pushed for the elusive winner. Niketh N headed just over the bar from a good corner while Ranit pulled off a stunning save to deny Solaimalai in stoppage time. The best chance, though, fell to RF Young Champs when Razibul Mistry was in the clear but dragged his effort wide from close range.

ALSO READ-Titans tops point table after thrilling five-wicket win

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-Top News Kerala UAE News

Kerala doctor performs UAE’s first bone marrow transplant on child

Kerala doctor performs UAE's first bone marrow transplant on child

A Keralite doctor in Abu Dhabi wrote himself into record books when he performed the first pediatric stem cell bone marrow transplant in the UAE…reports Asian Lite News



Dr. Zainul Aabideen, a native of Kannur, presently Head of the Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology at Burjeel Medical City successfully performed the advanced allogeneic procedure on a five-year-old girl from Uganda with sickle cell disease.

Billed as the first such surgery done in the UAE, the patient’s 10-year-old sister donated her bone marrow for the transplant treatment at Burjeel Medical City, a flagship hospital of VPS Healthcare.

Sickle cell disease is a genetic disorder, which results in an abnormality in the hemoglobin found in red blood cells, causing them to become sickle-shaped and leading to several complications including anemia, swelling in the hands and feet, frequent pain, acute chest syndrome, and sometimes stroke.

Prior to the treatment, the child has been regularly admitted to the hospital due to complications arising from her disease since birth.

“As this was a life-threatening condition, the only curative option was bone marrow transplantation. Before this procedure, the patient suffered a lot. The entire care team here at the hospital and the child’s parents are delighted that the transplant will relieve this pain from her life,” said Zainul Aabideen, who headed a team of highly specialised doctors, including a pediatric intensive care team, for the procedure.’

ALSO READ: Dubai’s fight against pandemic documentary launched

The patient has responded well to the treatment and will be discharged in a few days after a five-week stay at the hospital.

Earlier, pediatric patients in the UAE who had to undergo allogeneic stem cell bone marrow transplants travelled to the US, the UK, India, and other European countries.

Zainul Aabideen, Acompleted his MBBS from Calicut University in Kerala and a post-graduate degree in Pediatrics from the University of Mumbai.

He then moved to the United Kingdom to specialise and undertake further training in pediatric hematology, pediatric oncology, and pediatric bone marrow transplantation in various hospitals in the UK.

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India News Kerala

Rtd SC judge roped in to save life of Kerala nurse sentenced to death in Yemen

Only July 25, 2017, she injected Talal with sedatives with the aim of sedating him and take her passport back and flee…reports Asian Lite News

With death staring at Kerala nurse Nimisha Priya, jailed in Yemen after being pronounced guilty of killing a Yemeni national, a collective ‘Save Nimisha Forum’ working for Nimisha’s release, has managed to get retired Supreme Court judge Kurian Joseph to act as interlocutor to see how her life can be saved.

The Forum operating in Delhi has been trying to see how this can be achieved and Joseph said he is happy to contribute.

Joseph will soon get a team of former diplomats and if necessary he will travel to Yemen to speak to the family of the Yemeni national.

The Forum is also getting ready to bring the little daughter of Priya and her mother to the forefront and they are also getting ready to travel to Yemen to make one last attempt.

According to Yemeni rules, the only possibility of any reprieve for Nimisha is if the family of Talal Mahdi pardons her for blood money — compensation paid by an offender or his kin to the family of the victim — in accordance with the Sharia law and diplomatic intervention. This is what the Forum is aiming for and hopes that Joseph will be able to swing it.

It was last month that a Yemeni court dismissed the appeal of Priya in the murder case of Talal Mahdi, in which she, along with another person, are the prime accused.

The two have been sentenced to death for the murder of Mahdi in 2017.

Hailing from Palakkad, Nimisha a nurse by profession, reached Yemen in 2012 with her husband. In 2015, with the help of Talal Mahdi, she set up a clinic. By this time her husband and their child had returned home.

Soon, differences cropped up between her and Mahdi and she accused him of torturing her and taking away her passport, making her trip back to her home state impossible.

On July 25, 2017, she injected Talal with sedatives with the aim of sedating him and take her passport back and flee.

But things went wrong and he collapsed after being administered the sedative.

Realising that Mahdi has died, with another’s person help she disposed off his body, which was cut into pieces in a water tank.

Four days later, the crime surfaced and both were arrested and while Nimisha was sentenced to death, the other person was sentenced to life.

The news came out only when a Kerala gospel worker reached a jail in Yemen to preach. Nimisha handed over a letter to him describing the entire incident.

ALSO READ-Banking services via ration shops in Kerala to begin from May

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Food Lite Blogs

Its Kerala special

Tamasha’s goal with this festival is to highlight Kerala’s rich food culture, which makes it an ideal destination for adventurous gourmet experiences…writes Olivia Sarkar

Tamasha brings you a wholesome culinary experience this summer with talented chefs all the way from Kerala. This one-of-a-kind festival will introduce you to Kerala’s rich culture through exciting appetisers such as Kozhi porichathu Travancore style fried chicken and plump prawns chemmeen ularthu kizhi cooked in banana leaf parcels, which will be available from the 8th to the 17th of April at Tamasha, Connaught Place.

This festival at Tamasha incorporates Kerala culture by serving vegetarian, chicken, and lamb delicacies such as Prawn Vallakaran Chatti Curry, which is prawns cooked in the fisherman style with spices and served in a traditional terracotta ‘chatti’ casserole, or the mild flavorful Moilee served with an option of fish or prawns. Enjoy the authentic flavours of the famed Kozhi Mutta roast and Kerala egg roast, which are served with lacy rice appam and will make you feel like you’re in Kerala!

Banana leaf fish with Curry & Chicken Wing Roast

Enjoy Kerala’s signature seafood platter for two, which includes kariveppilla fish finger, Tawa grilled fish, batter-fried squid, mussels peera, and prawns. The classic Thalasseri biryanis and crisp flaky Malabar parathas served with a fish gravy and rice are must-orders that you should not pass up.

Jaideep Singh Anand and Gundeep Singh Anand, Founders, Tamasha, said, “At Tamasha, it is our aim to create authentic gastronomic experiences for all. We are excited to host this food festival which introduces everyone to the diverse culture of Kerala. We look forward to creating many such new experiences and experimenting with interesting food ideas. “

Kalonji Mutton kebabs

Their must-try festival delicacies include banana leaf fish with curry, Malabari chicken Kuruma, Kalonji Mutton kebabs, chicken wing roast, and don’t forget to get some dessert on your platter to end the Food Festival on a sweet note; their best dessert of all was Tender Coconut Pudding, which will make you fall in love with coconut.

Tamasha’s goal with this festival is to highlight Kerala’s rich food culture, which makes it an ideal destination for adventurous gourmet experiences.

ALSO READ-Banking services via ration shops in Kerala to begin from May

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Kerala Politics

Kerala CPI-M busy finalising top party posts


Of the two, Jayarajan hails from Kannur- the bastion of the CPI-M and is said to be closer to Vijayan than Balan is…reports Asian Lite News

After the 23rd CPI-M Party Congress in Kannur, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan is now busy finalising posts for top leaders who are yet to be accommodated.

In the offing are powerful posts like Left Democratic Front (LDF) convenor, political secretary to Vijayan, editor of party organ ‘Deshabhimani’ and also the re-constitution of the central secretariat based in Delhi.

A.Vijayaraghavan was the LDF convenor and with he being inducted into the politburo, the likely front runners to this post include former state minister’s E.P.Jayarajan and A.K.Balan.

Of the two, Jayarajan hails from Kannur- the bastion of the CPI-M and is said to be closer to Vijayan than Balan is.

Balan’s trump card is that he hails from the Scheduled Caste community and of late the CPI-M has been playing the communal and caste card quite well, by inducting a Dalit in the politburo for the first time.

The next post that is up for grabs is that of political secretary to Vijayan, as Puthelethu Dinesan has been inducted to the state secretariat of the party and those in the running include former political secretary to then chief minister E.K.Nayanar- P.Sasi, M.V.Jayarajan, who in the Vijayan’s first term for a few years held the post is also in consideration and both of them hail from Kannur.

Then comes the nominees to the central secretariat and high on the list is two time former Lok Sabha member P.K.Biju, also a Dalit.

Then comes the decorative post of editor of party organ ‘Deshabhimani’ and it’s here that no finality has come.

Among those who have missed out includes three former powerful state ministers – Thomas Isaac, G.Sudhakaran and J.Mercykutty.

Of the three, while Isaac and Sudhakaran did not contest the 2021 Assembly elections after they fell into the category of contesting the past consecutive elections and had to make way, Mercykutty met her waterloo at her home turf Kundara constituency in Kollam district.

The only qualification now to any party post is how close one is to Vijayan, as his decision is the final word in the government.

ALSO READ-Why language row doesn’t impact Kerala  

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India News Kerala

Why language row doesn’t impact Kerala  

This nature of the Malayalee populace is reflecting in the language controversy as well…reports Asian Lite News

While Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s forceful direction that Hindi be accepted as an alternative to English was met with stiff resistance from most of the non-Hindi speaking states, Kerala remained silent.

Several states and opposition political parties came out against the Union Minister even though he had meant that communication between people of two states could be done in Hindi rather than in English but the local languages should never be ignored.

However, states like Tamil Nadu started protests against the statement with Chief Minister of M.K. Stalin shooting off a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Home Minister against “imposition” of Hindi.

While the neighbouring state of Tamil Nadu was live with all political parties, including the state unit of the BJP forcefully, stating that the imposition of Hindi in the state would not be allowed, Kerala was silent. There were no protests and even the politicians of the state did not speak their mind out.

The reason why there is no opposition to Hindi in the state is that almost all people have learnt Hindi in schools as the state had a three language education policy. English, Hindi and Malayalam are taught in almost all schools and most of the people knows Hindi well, even if they are not able to communicate.

This is one reason for Kerala not entering into an agitation mood after the announcement of Amit Shah. Another reason is the historic nature of Keralites, not to enter into major confrontations unnecessarily. Kerala has never witnessed strong agitations at a national level unlike that in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, the other two southern states.

Even the decades-long water sharing issue of the Mullaperiyar dam between Kerala and Tamil Nadu has not led into a violent agitation in Kerala unlike the Cauvery issue between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu wherein many people lost their lives and properties damaged including motor vehicles, shops and establishments. This nature of the Malayalee populace is reflecting in the language controversy as well.

The middle class of Kerala is a migratory society and after education, many in North Kerala travel to middle east for a living those in central Kerala and South Kerala prefer both middle east, US, UK and Canada. A large migration to other North Indian states are also evident from Kerala. This has led to a cosmopolitan outlook for the Malayalis in their language, dress code, food habits and even in marriages. So Kerala as a society stands apart for barriers in language and hence there was not much impact on the statement by Amit Shah in the southern most tip of India.

While there are voices of dissent in some parts of Kerala, it is mostly confined to political parties like the CPM who want to oppose as the person who had brought the idea is Amit Shah. However, even those voices of opposition are turning shriller by the day.

More than this Kerala has the history of protecting its linguistic minorities with Tamil and Kannada minority communities getting reservation in schools and colleges and even in Public Service Commission. Still there were agitations in certain predominantly Kannada language speaking areas of Kasargod district in Northern Kerala for posting officials with Kannada language knowledge in areas where Kannada speaking people are in the majority.

The presence of a large number of migrant workers from North Indian states and Bengal have led to even the nook and cranny of the state knowing Hindi as a colloquial language that is used in vegetable shops, meat shops, local tea shops and even in buses and Keralites have adapted to the language of Hindi.

V. Manivarnan, BJP, Kannur district vice-president while speaking to IANS said: “Keralites as a society has always been shy of major agitations and with Hindi being a language used in every part of the state now, thanks to the arrival of a large number of migrant workers, the people of the state know that there is no point in agitation against the imposition of Hindi language. If objections and oppositions come up at a later stage, that would be politically driven for the sake of publicity.”

ALSO READ-Churches in Kerala buzzing with activity ahead of Easter

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Community Kerala

Churches in Kerala buzzing with activity ahead of Easter

Maundy Thursday rituals took place in most Churches across the state when priests and bishops were seen washing the feet of devotees…reports Asian Lite News

After two years of Covid pandemic which brought normal life to a grinding halt, churches across Kerala appear to be back to normal, with most of them overflowing with devotees ahead of Easter Sunday.

According to the Census, of the 33.4 million population, 61.41 lakhs(29.94 lakhs males and 31.47 lakhs females) are Christians in the state.

Of these, the Catholics constitute around 50 per cent, followed by almost a dozen churches practising varied rituals which differ from each other slightly.

Passion Week or Holy Week begins with Palm Sunday, that was observed last Sunday and the next important day is Maundy Thursday and it signifies the Washing of the Feet and Last Supper of Jesus Christ with the Apostles, as described in the canonical gospels. It is the fifth day of Holy Week, preceded by Holy Wednesday and followed by Good Friday.

Maundy Thursday rituals took place in most Churches across the state when priests and bishops were seen washing the feet of devotees.

Devouts Christians observe a lent of a maximum of 50 days, when meat and fish are kept away from the daily menu. Some even avoid milk and milk products.

But the feature of the Passion Week is starting Thursday, many skip non-vegetarian dishes and on Good Friday churches are crowded and the most important event is the drinking of the Kanji (rice gruel, with pickle and a serving of pulses) from earthen pots.

Eighty-five-year-old Elssama Joseph is in high spirits as this is the first time after 2019, she could take part in the Passion Week rituals.

“The last two years were tough due to Covid and even though there were online service for the Holy Week, the feeling of fullness of attending the church was missing. This time so far I have had a very good time and was fully engrossed in our church and now I am preparing to attend the Good Friday service, which is a pretty long affair and it begins from 8 a.m. and by the time we drink the Kanji it would be close to 3 p.m. and then comes the Easter Sunday service. I am really happy,” said the elderly lady.

ALSO READ-Goa Church-backed NGO slams political defections

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Europe Kerala

Kerala Tourism reaches out to Europe

Additional Chief Secretary, Tourism, V. Venu, who led the delegation, gave a detailed presentation on the state and its way forward to attract tourists in a big way….reports Asian lite News

After a hiatus of two years due to the Covid pandemic, Kerala Tourism organised its first B2B meet in Spanish capital Madrid and Italy’s Milan, showcasing a range of its new tourism initiatives and popular destinations before the leading stakeholders of tourism and hospitality industry in the two European cities.

The annual BIT Milan Trade Fair, held during April 10-12, was another event in which Kerala participated in to build confidence in the market and include the state back in the itineraries of tourists from the European continent.

Additional Chief Secretary, Tourism, V. Venu, who led the delegation, gave a detailed presentation on the state and its way forward to attract tourists in a big way.

“The shows were part of the state’s ongoing promotional activities to consolidate its position in the European market and send out a loud and clear message to the tourists that God’s Own Country is once again as hospitable and safe as it used to be in the pre-pandemic times,” he said.

“The feedback from Kerala’s trade partners, who attended the road shows, have been very positive. It has also reaffirmed the effectiveness of B2B meets,” added Venu.

The B2B meets also witnessed active participation from Kerala’s trade partners in the private sector.

By organising the road shows, Kerala Tourism also leveraged the opportunity to tap the opening of international flights and free visas offered to foreign tourists as announced by the Indian government.

A total of 18,947 tourists from Spain visited Kerala in 2019, registering an increase of 20 per cent compared to the previous year. Likewise, the state witnessed arrivals of 28,046 tourists from Italy in that year.

ALSO READ: Bharat Bandh: Normal life comes to a near halt in Kerala

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-Top News India News Kerala

Pinarayi, Stalin call for ‘truly federal India’

The event was a seminar on Centre-State relations and the key speakers were Vijayan, Stalin and Thomas, reports Asian Lite News

For the CPI-M, its Party Congress is its ultimate event and on Saturday evening, its ongoing 23rd edition in Kerala hit a peak with the presence of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin and more so with that of “estranged” Congress leader and former Union Minister K.V.Thomas, seated to the right of none other than Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan.

Chief Minister Stalin has called for a collective of states “to fight, to resist” the central government and “create a truly federal India”, media reported.

The event was a seminar on Centre-State relations and the key speakers were Vijayan, Stalin and Thomas.

Thomas, whose attendance could see him being booted out of the Congress as the top leadership and the state unit of the party had warned him against going, received a tumultuous welcome. The CPI-M saw his presence as a moral victory over the Congress, their principal opposition in the state, as Thomas arrived at the hometown of state Congress President K. Sudhakaran, who, on Friday only, remarked that he prays that Thomas won’t turn up.

Stalin, who had landed at the Kannur airport in the afternoon, was received by the top leadership of the CPI-M and when he arrived at the venue, it was to big applause and so was the case each time his name was called out.

Vijayan, in his inaugural address, said in today’s context. the topic of the seminar, Centre -State relations is very important and so is the presence of Stalin.

“But above that is the presence of K.V.Thomas. We invited him as a Congress leader and even now he is one. There were talks that his nose would be cut out if he attends. He is present here as a Congress leader. What will happen tomorrow is a different matter and I am sure nothing is going to happen. All I will say is ‘let us not speculate’,” he said.

Vijayan also took the opportunity to take a dig at the 18 Congress-led UDF MPs from Kerala, saying that “they are doing nothing in the Lok Sabha to put pressure on the Centre to fight for the genuine needs of our state”.

Stalin heaped praised on Vijayan and said he is a person with a difference when compared to other Chief Ministers and it was his responsibility to attend the seminar and decided to attend the moment Vijayan invited him.

KV Thomas, whose attendance could see him being booted out of the Congress as the top leadership and the state unit of the party had warned him against going, received a tumultuous welcome.

“It was a Communist government which was the first in the country to be ousted, while two times in Tamil Nadu, the DMK government was ousted,” he said.

Stalin has called for the formation of a collective of states “to face and overcome these active efforts of disruption”, onmanorama reported.

“We must form a collective of the chief ministers of South India, and then form a collective of chief ministers of all the states of India, separately.

“The Constitution of India needs to be amended to bestow more rights to the states. To make this happen, we must come together, united, looking beyond the boundaries of politics,” Stalin was quoted as saying.

The Tamil Nadu leader said that victory was possible only if “like-minded political parties came together”.

“That will ensure the sustenance of this country, the ideals of social justice, equality, and secularism.

“I hereby request every party to initiate action to ensure such a victory. Let us fight for state autonomy. Let us create a truly federal India. Red salute, comrades,” the news report quoted Stalin as saying.

When Thomas’s name was called out to speak, it was greeted with a huge cheer.

“I stand here with a lot of pride and with great happiness. When I see this huge audience, I feel I have made the right decision to come and I wish my colleagues in the Congress party also will understand. I am for development and there should be no opposition to it,” he said.

It remains to be seen how the Congress reacts.

ALSO READ: Stalin to host Global Investors Meet