Revenue Minister K. Rajan is inaugurating the Vision 2031 cultural seminar organized by the Department of Culture at the Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi in Thrissur on Monday. | Photo credit: KK NAJEEB
Kerala is on a transformational journey towards the vision of Nava Keralam (new Kerala) and it is imperative that everyone joins the mission, said Revenue Minister K. Rajan.
He was inaugurating the Vision 2031 Cultural Seminar organized by the Department of Culture at the Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi here on Monday.
“Kerala has emerged from a dark past marked by untouchability, discrimination and social evils. The state is built on the foundations of a powerful renaissance movement that pushed for social justice, led by reformers like Sree Narayana Guru and many others,” the minister said.
He recalled that Kerala’s renaissance was deeply rooted in education, literature, theater and travel writing, all of which strengthened the social consciousness of Malays. However, he warned that today the Kerala values of secularism and humanity were facing threats from communal and fascist tendencies that were trying to infiltrate the cultural spaces.
Delivering the keynote address, Higher Education Minister R. Bindu said that history is not just something to be written in books but a flame that is passed on from generation to generation. “As divisive forces attempt to sow seeds of hatred and intolerance in the harmonious society of Kerala, artists and writers should stand in the front line to defend the ideals of unity, brotherhood and friendship,” she said.
Cultural Affairs Minister Saji Cherian, while presenting the policy declaration, emphasized the need for a complete modernization of the administrative structure of the cultural department. He said the government’s aim is to coordinate the functioning of various academies under the ministry while maintaining their autonomy.
“The aim is to create a vision under the banner of Global Indian Cultural Congress. We plan to transform Kerala Kalamandalam into a veritable university of all art forms, take the ideals of religious harmony and humanity into every home and create discussion platforms in every panchayat involving students and Diamond Jubilee scholarship holders,” said Mr. Cherian.
The seminar was part of the nationwide discussions organized by the ministry to visualize the progress of the state, which is commemorating 75 years of formation.
Sections on “Secularism, Humanism and Cultural Diversity” and “Kerala Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow – From Renaissance to Nava Keralam: The Contribution of People’s Governments” were organized. Eminent personalities from the political, social and cultural spheres participated in the event, which concluded with a dance performance by Ente Keralam by students of Kerala Kalamandalam.
Published – 03 Nov 2025 20:06 IST
