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Showing posts from December, 2010

Karunakaran, a far sighted economic reformer and institution builder

K. Karunakaran, the politician also known as 'Leader', is the best institution builder we had in Kerala. No politician supported industries and encouraged private enterprises in Kerala like he did. The wily politician is but known more for nepotism and corruption. A list of projects which would not have realized without Karunakaran are, Cochin International Airport Ltd [CIAL] - India's first airport under Public-Private Participation - Also the project that showed us the real potential of Non-Resident Keralites Kayamkulam Thermal Power Plant Technopark, India's first Technology (IT) park Jawaharlal Nehru International Stadium in Kochi Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology Pariyaram Medical College Keltron Guruvayur railway line Self-financing educational institutions for higher education But, his biggest contribution to the Kerala economy remains how he curtailed Naxalism. This attains importance as it is still a nagging issue hindering economic development in

Aranmula Airport, the fifth in Kerala

Kerala got three international airports now at Cochin, Thiruvananthapuram and Kozhikode. Another airport is being built at Kannur for which the work is expected to begin soon (or has it started). With 4 million Non-resident Keralites , Kerala can accomodate an airport each in every district. This used to be a joke but may become a reality with fifth airport on its way at Aranmula in Pathanamthitta district. KGS Aranmula Airport is being promoted by KGS Group with a significant investement coming from Anil Ambani. The plans are ambitious as the airport could serve a large population from the belt regularly traveling to US and Canada. Backwaters nearby can bring in tourists from across country and world. Airport also could be a boon for more than 40 million Sabarimala pilgrims. As with any other industrial projects in Kerala, this too has to be approved by political, social and environmental activists first.