The first time I heard a proposal for an express highway was some time ago- 2001 when A.K Antony was the CM. The then PWD ministry held by the Muslim league was strongly in favor of this project. The proposed scheme envisaged construction of a super speed highway track from Manjeshwaram in the North to Parassala, south of Trivandrum. This highway was supposed to have only the required number of exits ( not as per the demands of the local politician) and bypassed the busy sections of all the main cities. Touted as THE dream project, this would have very well been the owner's pride and neighbor's envy and was supposed to be of international standards.
Not surprisingly, this remains very well on paper with opposition coming from all quarters. One of the arguments was that Kerala will be divided into two portions- East Kerala and West Kerala once this is implemented. Another view doing the rounds was that a lot of property would have to be acquired for the same. Still others were of the view that such a project was not beneficial for a state like Kerala- Sadly, these are the same people who admire the highways in middle eastern countries or in Europe or in America..
Why are some people hell bent against the development of Kerala? Why can't some people just can't accept the fact that Kerala has to do something extraordinary to get out of this rout? To the first argument on the division- Our State is blessed with a linear, longitudinal geography unlike others. So, compared to states like TN, it is very easy to implement an express highway that beneifts almost 90% of the population. I guess Wayanad and Idukki districts are the bottlenecks. This is the 21st century. With proper planning, this elevated highway will NOT divide the state. That argument is total rubbish. Secondly, regarding property acquisition, it is not for the first time that an acquisition is taking place in the State. If we have given land for the Technopark, for Smart City, for Vallarpadam, for the NH47 , why are being hypocritical when it comes to express highway.
Take out these foolish , outdated views and love thy homeland as thou love thy " workland" and support the initiative for the express highway. Think for years ahead, plan for the next generation, dream for Kerala @ 2020. You will realize what it means to build a world class highway.
Sunday, April 27, 2008
Saturday, April 26, 2008
NRIs, NRKs, Americas, Bangalore & Kerala
Kerala is a land of unlimited greenery with its idyllic ambience. Business men like Virgin's Richard Brandson and celebrities like Amitabh Bachan have been mesmerised with the place. National Geographic branded this coconut state as one of the world's top 10 destinations. It would not be fair to even brand Kerala as the Hawai or California of India. These places pale in comparison to this exotic place. Now the other side of the story. Roughly 25% of Keralaites are expatriates. Out of these a major chunk are sole bread winners of their family. Somebody joked that even if somebody goes to the moon he could find a " malayali thattukada" there.....
Is Kerala a land of so few opportunities that an exodus is the only option or are we just following some trend to migrate? I really don't know the answer to this because I am also in a foreign land at the moment ( though it is temporary). I agree that opportunities (particulary for IT) are limited in Kerala at the moment. But it is definitely picking up. We are trailing all the southern states in software exports . Definitely we are closing the gap, but at this rate, we will take atleast 10 years to be counted among the big players. All this is happening to a state that launched the first IT park in India way back in 1990 when Manmohan Singh was not even the FM. It is better not to do the post mortem but to think about the after life.
We have some pretty good companies including some bigwigs in Technopark, Trivandrum. From various forums, I have read that the occupancy has reached saturation point and the government has acquired around 500 acres of land to the north of Technopark for the Technocity project. All this could mean that ( even after taking into account the political and bureaucratic hurdles) we may well have the largest IT corridor in India. The proposed Smart City in Kochi may play its part too. But how many of the IT expats from Kerala are willing to return to work in Kerala?
Most of the young techies whom I spoke to about the subject had just one answer " Lack of professionalism". I am just not convinced with this answer. There may be a difference in standards of professionalism among the various companies. But one company, one brand but two different work ethics in Bangalore and Trivandrum. This is either blown out of proportion or is a false impression . But if this is true, then these companies definitely have to shore up their standards. I have worked in Kerala for close to three years after my graduation. I can say from the bottom of my heart that those were the best days in my career. The people around me were totally professionalistic and even the Kerala team was branded as the best unit in the company.
Even if companies like Microsoft and Google set up shop in Kerala, I doubt if our own Techies will prefer this place. Maybe some northie or other southie will come here, work , enjoy the relishing sea food and live life KING size. May be it is not in our stars to enjoy Kerala to the fullest in our life time.. What a great irony?
Is Kerala a land of so few opportunities that an exodus is the only option or are we just following some trend to migrate? I really don't know the answer to this because I am also in a foreign land at the moment ( though it is temporary). I agree that opportunities (particulary for IT) are limited in Kerala at the moment. But it is definitely picking up. We are trailing all the southern states in software exports . Definitely we are closing the gap, but at this rate, we will take atleast 10 years to be counted among the big players. All this is happening to a state that launched the first IT park in India way back in 1990 when Manmohan Singh was not even the FM. It is better not to do the post mortem but to think about the after life.
We have some pretty good companies including some bigwigs in Technopark, Trivandrum. From various forums, I have read that the occupancy has reached saturation point and the government has acquired around 500 acres of land to the north of Technopark for the Technocity project. All this could mean that ( even after taking into account the political and bureaucratic hurdles) we may well have the largest IT corridor in India. The proposed Smart City in Kochi may play its part too. But how many of the IT expats from Kerala are willing to return to work in Kerala?
Most of the young techies whom I spoke to about the subject had just one answer " Lack of professionalism". I am just not convinced with this answer. There may be a difference in standards of professionalism among the various companies. But one company, one brand but two different work ethics in Bangalore and Trivandrum. This is either blown out of proportion or is a false impression . But if this is true, then these companies definitely have to shore up their standards. I have worked in Kerala for close to three years after my graduation. I can say from the bottom of my heart that those were the best days in my career. The people around me were totally professionalistic and even the Kerala team was branded as the best unit in the company.
Even if companies like Microsoft and Google set up shop in Kerala, I doubt if our own Techies will prefer this place. Maybe some northie or other southie will come here, work , enjoy the relishing sea food and live life KING size. May be it is not in our stars to enjoy Kerala to the fullest in our life time.. What a great irony?
High Court bench in the Capital
Numerous posts have been published in various forums on the establishment of a high court bench in the capital. The indefinite satyagraha by the lawyers of Trivandrum have snowballed into a mass agitation. The whole issue has been raked up even in the parliament and is fast becoming a Trivandrum-Kochi fight ( for all the wrong reasons).
First and foremost, there is no logic in saying "NO" to sanctioning the bench in Trivandrum. It is the state capital and it deserves better treatment. Barring a few north eastern states, Trivandrum has to bear the ignominy of the only state capital without a high court or a bench. Most of the cases being handled by the apellate court have the State government as one party. It is ridiculous to have even maintained the high court in Kochi for these many years. Imagine the expenditure the government has to bear in the form of TA and DA when government officials or ministers have to commute to Kochi just for attending a session of the High court. In most cases, they may be required in the court for a max of 15 mts. For this , they have to commute 5 hours and be out of the office for at least a day. Just calculate the amount of man power wasted and the cost on the exchequer.
By default, the high court itself should have been headquartered in Trivandrum. This is both logical and economical. A few decades have passed and it is not prudent to uproot an establishment in one go. But, definitely, the state capital deserves the bench. Kudos to all who are fighting for it. I am sure we will win this fight not for the city but for the state and the tax payers of the state.
First and foremost, there is no logic in saying "NO" to sanctioning the bench in Trivandrum. It is the state capital and it deserves better treatment. Barring a few north eastern states, Trivandrum has to bear the ignominy of the only state capital without a high court or a bench. Most of the cases being handled by the apellate court have the State government as one party. It is ridiculous to have even maintained the high court in Kochi for these many years. Imagine the expenditure the government has to bear in the form of TA and DA when government officials or ministers have to commute to Kochi just for attending a session of the High court. In most cases, they may be required in the court for a max of 15 mts. For this , they have to commute 5 hours and be out of the office for at least a day. Just calculate the amount of man power wasted and the cost on the exchequer.
By default, the high court itself should have been headquartered in Trivandrum. This is both logical and economical. A few decades have passed and it is not prudent to uproot an establishment in one go. But, definitely, the state capital deserves the bench. Kudos to all who are fighting for it. I am sure we will win this fight not for the city but for the state and the tax payers of the state.
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