Superstitions becoming widespread in society, says Pinarayi
The Chief Minister was addressing professionals from the science and technology sector at Professional Connect 2025, a programme organised as part of the fourth anniversary of the government. He underscored the need to nurture scientific temperament and propagate scientific and technological knowhow for sustainable growth and development founded on social justice.
'We live in times when superstitions that were wiped out under the leadership of social reformers are returning and becoming widespread,' he said, adding that many national grants that supported research and higher education have now been either removed or reduced.
Digital science parks
Mr. Vijayan said the Kerala government has instituted the Kairali Research Prize and the Chief Minister's Postdoctoral Fellowship for promoting research in addition to starting centres of excellence in the higher education sector and translational labs in universities. Kerala is on the path of growth with digital science parks and AI hubs. The State is spending ₹600 crore on three digital science parks, he said.
Science and technology are not separate from the lives of humans, Mr. Vijayan said, reiterating his government's plans for creating a knowledge-based society.
K.P. Sudheer, Executive Vice President, Kerala State Council for Science, Technology and Environment (KSCSTE) and State Planning Board vice chairman V.K. Ramachandran and KSCSTE member secretary A. Sabu also spoke.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
16 hours ago
- Time of India
Kerala chief minister denies media restriction allegations and affirms commitment to press freedom
1 2 3 4 T'puram: Chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan said the reports that the govt is imposing restrictions on media freedom in the state were baseless. "No such move has been made by the govt," he said in a statement issued here on Wednesday. However, he accepted that the govt had initiated a probe on how a secret document was leaked to the media. "The govt decided to investigate the circumstances under which a highly confidential letter related to the World Bank's funding for the 'Kera' project was leaked to the media. The leakage and publication of such highly confidential letters can undermine the govt's credibility with financial institutions. Understanding how such a lapse occurred is essential for the smooth functioning of the govt," he said. But portraying this as an action against journalists is negative propaganda. Investigating any lapses or errors in duty by the officials is a natural procedure and not a result of anyone's whims or pressures. The actions taken are lawful and procedural. The perception that journalists will be summoned for evidence as part of this fact-finding is incorrect, said the chief minister. Anyone familiar with the media landscape in Kerala and the govt's approach to the media would not make such an allegation. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like TV providers are furious: this gadget gives you access to all channels Techno Mag Learn More Undo There is a continuous spread of fake news and misinformation targeting the state govt. Even when false news is debunked with evidence, some media outlets persist in spreading misinformation without correction or apology. Malicious and defamatory news against the govt and ministers is published without restraint by print and electronic media. The govt's policy is not to counter these with legal action or suppression. The high media literacy and political awareness of the people of Kerala prevent such news from influencing the public. The mission to expose the creators of fake news is a democratic responsibility taken up by the people of Kerala, said the chief minister. The country experienced emergencies, censorship and numerous press restrictions in the past. It is a fact that media freedom in the country lags behind the global average. Media professionals and institutions face significant challenges and crises in contemporary India for reporting news. This govt does not agree with such actions and has a strong stance against them. The freedom and rights of the media will be protected in every sense. At the same time, efforts to mislead the public and create sentiment against the govt through fake news will be exposed, he said. "Maintaining a good relationship with the media is the govt's clear stance. Deliberately discrediting the govt by leaking misleading news and attempting to undermine trust between institutions is a malicious act. The govt will not compromise with such unscrupulous methods," he pointed out. Unfortunately, there have been attempts to equate Kerala with places where media freedom is being destroyed by repeatedly claiming that a non-existent event has occurred. This is strongly condemned. It is reiterated that no action against media freedom will be allowed in Kerala, he reiterated. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area.
Hans India
20 hours ago
- Hans India
'Baseless propaganda', CM Vijayan rejects allegations of curbing media
Thiruvananthapuram: The office of Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has dismissed as 'baseless propaganda' the allegation that it is imposing restrictions on media freedom in the state, insisting that no such move has ever been made. In a statement issued here on Wednesday, it said the clarification is in the backdrop of controversy over a confidential World Bank communication regarding the 'Kera' project being leaked to the press. The government said it has ordered an inquiry to determine how a document of such highly confidential nature was leaked and published, stressing that such breaches can damage the state's credibility with international financial institutions. 'This investigation is not an action against journalists, but a normal administrative process to identify lapses within official circles,' read the statement. 'If officials are found to have erred, it is our duty to investigate and hold them accountable,' added the statement. The government condemned attempts to portray the probe as an anti-media measure, calling it deliberate misinformation. 'Creating an impression that journalists will be summoned as part of the fact-finding process is wrong,' it said, adding that Kerala's political awareness and high media literacy ensure that false news rarely influences public opinion. The statement accused certain media outlets of continuing 'a pattern of false campaigns' against the state leadership, ministers, and political figures, even after misleading reports are disproved with evidence. It, however, reiterated that suppression or intimidation of the press is not the state's policy. Referring to India's troubled press history, including censorship during the Emergency, the government stressed that it opposes such measures and is committed to protecting the freedom and rights of the media 'in every sense'. At the same time, it vowed to expose those who deliberately spread fake news to mislead the public or harm the government's reputation. Maintaining good relations with the media is the state government's stated approach, the statement said, but it warned that 'malicious leaks aimed at damaging institutional trust' would not be tolerated. The government condemned efforts to compare Kerala to regions where media freedom is genuinely under threat, calling such comparisons 'unfortunate and unacceptable'. 'We repeat and reaffirm, no move against press freedom will be permitted in Kerala,' the statement concluded.
New Indian Express
20 hours ago
- New Indian Express
Kerala government denies allegations of curtailing press freedom
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Dismissing allegations of attempts to curtail media freedom, the state government on Wednesday categorically stated that no such move has been made. In a statement issued by the Chief Minister's Office (CMO), Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan termed the accusations baseless. The statement clarified that the government has ordered an inquiry into the leak of a highly confidential letter concerning the World Bank's fund allocation for the 'Kera' project. According to the CMO, such leaks could damage the government's credibility with financial institutions, making it essential to understand the circumstances for the sake of smooth administration. The government emphasised that the inquiry is not directed at journalists, labelling such claims as part of a fake news campaign. It stated that investigating lapses in official duties is a routine administrative process, and it is incorrect to suggest that journalists will be summoned or evidence collected from them as part of the probe.
