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The Hindu
11 hours ago
- Business
- The Hindu
Kerala needs a comprehensive creative economy policy to unlock growth potential
As Kerala positions itself toward a knowledge-based economy, it is imperative that we recognise and harness the untapped potential of the creative and cultural sector — a sector that has long flourished informally but now deserves structured policy attention and investment. Kerala's demographic and economic realities make a strong case for embracing the creative economy. Traditional industrialisation is challenged by the State's limited land availability, high population density, and comparatively high labour costs. Moreover, youth aspirations have shifted dramatically. Many young Keralites, while globally renowned for their work ethic — particularly in healthcare and IT sectors — are increasingly reluctant to take up blue-collar jobs back home. As a result, it is estimated that over one-third of Kerala's informal workforce now comes from other Indian States. While Kerala has made notable strides in the IT and consulting sectors, inclusive development demands we address opportunities for those outside the formal tech pipeline — particularly freelancers, women, and creative entrepreneurs. According to the Periodic Labour Force Survey 2023, Kerala's female labour force participation stands at only 25.5%, far below the national average of 37%, despite having the highest female literacy rate in the country. Cultural and creative legacy Kerala has always punched above its weight culturally. Malayalam cinema, acclaimed for its storytelling and innovation, has earned national and international recognition— with recent blockbusters reaching audiences far beyond state borders. Events such as the Kochi-Muziris Biennale, Asia's largest contemporary art festival, and traditional spectacles such as Thrissur Pooram and Nehru Trophy Boat Race, attract global visitors — yet their economic impact remains largely unmeasured and underleveraged. The creative talent pool in Kerala is broad and dynamic — spanning film, animation, visual effects, architecture, design, advertising, performing arts, fine arts, and digital media. The success of Keralites across global creative industries is a testament to this vibrant ecosystem. This has not happened by accident — it is the result of progressive movements, social investments, and education reforms over the decades. Cultural capital to creative capital Kerala's cultural richness is deeply embedded in its architecture, literature, and traditional art forms such as Kathakali, Mohiniyattam, Theyyam, and Koodiyattam — many of which are now recognised as UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage. Institutions such as Kerala Kalamandalam, established in 1930 and now a Deemed University, have not only preserved endangered art forms but also attracted international students, making Kerala a hub of cultural exchange. The State has also invested in contemporary institutions such as the K.R. Narayanan National Institute of Visual Science and Arts and the Kerala State Institute of Design, alongside a growing network of media schools and fine arts colleges. These are strong building blocks for a formal creative economy. Time for a unified policy approach Despite this potential, Kerala's creative sector remains fragmented and underserved. While progressive initiatives such as the Kerala Design Policy and the AVGC-XR Policy (focusing on animation, visual effects, gaming, comics, and extended reality) are commendable, a comprehensive, inclusive, and coordinated 'Creative Economy Policy' is urgently needed. Such a policy should: Recognise all sub-sectors — from performing arts and digital content to crafts and design. Support entrepreneurship, local economic development, and export-readiness. Enable structured skilling, mentoring, and incubation for creative professionals. Drive inclusion, particularly for women, youth, and traditional artisans. Build robust infrastructure for festivals, residencies, and marketplaces. A global template Kerala can look to models such as the UK's Creative Industries Council, a cross-industry body that advises the government on the needs and opportunities in the sector. A similar entity in Kerala — a Kerala Creative Industries Council — could streamline policies, remove duplication across departments, and provide long-term strategic guidance. An economic engine for the future The creative economy is projected to represent 10% of global GDP by 2030, according to UNESCO. India's Ministry of Information & Broadcasting has already identified the AVGC-XR sector as a 'sunrise industry', and global players such as Netflix and Amazon are investing heavily in Indian content. Kerala is well-positioned to ride this wave. With geographic charm, cultural depth, and abundant talent, the State has all the ingredients to become the 'Cannes of India' — a hub for creative excellence, tourism, and cultural commerce. What Kerala needs now is a focussed, inclusive, and tech-enabled strategy to turn its cultural capital into creative capital. With the right ecosystem, we can build a future where Kerala's creative products are 'Made in Kerala, Consumed by the World.' The author is Country Head, World Design Council – India
New Indian Express
6 days ago
- Business
- New Indian Express
Coconut oil price skyrockets, crosses Rs 500 per litre
KOCHI: As Keralites start preparations for Onam celebrations, the rising prices of essentials, especially coconut and coconut oil, are worrying families. The price of coconut oil which hovered around Rs 160 per litre a year ago has crossed Rs 500, making it out of bounds for common man. Coconut oil has been deeply ingrained in the state's culture and traditions that it is an inevitable ingredient for its traditional cuisine. Meanwhile, the sale of other products like groundnut oil and palm oil has increased as coconut oil has become unaffordable. There are reports that adulterated coconut oil is flooding the market posing a health risk. Kerafed, the largest producer of coconut oil in the country has hiked the price of coconut oil to Rs 529 per litre while the price of many popular brands has crossed Rs 600. The price of coconut in the retail market ranges between Rs 75 to Rs 85 per kg. 'There will not be any scarcity of coconut oil during Onam season as we have maintained an average stock of 912.2 metric tonnes of copra from January to June,' said Kerafed managing director Saju Surendran. Farmers say they get an average price of Rs 62 per kg, which is a bumper price considering the fact that the procurement rate was just Rs 8 per kg a couple of years back. Though the steep rise in procurement rate has brought cheers, farmers are unable to reap the benefit as the production has declined to a fraction of the previous year yield. 'The coconut prices have gone up due to drop in production caused by drought in 2024. Now the production has started increasing thanks to copious rains in the previous months. The crisis is expected to end by December 2025 and the prices may decline thereafter,' said Dinesh a farmer in Palakkad. 'There has been a steep decline in coconut production which has affected our business. We have rescheduled the production to a single shift due to shortage of coconut. The company has not exported coconut oil for the past two months.
Time of India
22-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
V S Achuthanandan: A leader whom the CPM leadership feared
By: Appukuttan Vallikkunnu Beyond the expected passing of a man of over 100 years, V S Achuthanandan's departure extinguishes a guiding force, energy and leadership that had significant political and social impacts. It weakens not only the CPM, Kerala society or the Leftist movement but also the democratic secular civil rights movements across India facing the severe repercussions of globalization. 'I live for the communist stance of fighting to lead society on the right path,' VS noted in his autobiography. He proved there are no breaks in that struggle by leading the LDF to victory in 2016, making Pinarayi Vijayan the CM. It was P Krishna Pillai who saw the future communist organizer in Velikkakath Sankaran's 21-year-old son, VS Achuthanandan. In 1944, he was appointed to organize the farmers and workers in Kuttanad. VS's anti-imperialist perspective, working-class consciousness and uncompromising fight against corruption were self-learned from various battlefields, including struggles for the right of lower castes to walk on public roads, protests for responsible governance and the historic Punnapra-Vayalar struggle against American model. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like No annual fees for life UnionBank Credit Card Apply Now Undo Twenty years later, in April 1964, VS took a stand against the party leadership's revisionist policies at the CPI National Council meeting in Delhi, amid the fire and smoke of ideological conflicts. Understanding the essence of international and national political situations, VS, along with 32 leaders including Jyoti Basu, EMS and AKG, walked out against the faction within the party leadership that proposed forming a coalition govt with Nehru's govt. He later became a member of the CPM's central committee and its politburo. Years after calling the CPI leadership revisionist to their faces in Delhi, history saw VS pointing fingers at the party's state secretary, accusing him of being a revisionist. In the 2006 assembly elections, some in the leadership informed the politburo that if VS were made a candidate, the UDF would come to power. However, VS informed the general secretary that he would not be a candidate, and another person was made the party candidate. This led to protests by Keralites within the state and beyond, demanding VS contest the election. For the first time in the party's history in India, the central leadership reversed its decision. The Left front won with a two-third majority and VS became the CM. The party decided not to give the home department to the CM. Vigilance, which investigates corruption, was taken away from the CM and given to Kodiyeri Balakrishnan. Personal staff, including of the CM, were appointed according to the leadership's wishes, causing distress to VS. The finance minister bypassed the chief minister in taking steps towards capital investments and loans in line with globalization policies. As a continuation of land reforms, the CM appointed a task force to remove encroachments and illegal resort industries in Munnar. The party issued a press release stating that the second land reform was a programme of extremists. VS retorted that those who issued the press release were revisionists. Intraparty conflict intensified over economic policies, with the secretary and the chief minister publicly criticizing each other. VS and Vijayan were suspended from politburo. Only Vijayan was reinstated. VS publicly endorsed the prosecution proceedings against Vijayan in the Lavalin case, which the party opposed, despite the high court ordering a CBI investigation. Eventually, the governor granted prosecution permission against Vijayan. VS had demanded that the party secretary facing allegations step down. On May 4, 2012, RMP leader T P Chandrasekharan was brutally murdered. The party secretary once again labelled TP a traitor while VS saluted him as a brave revolutionary. He visited TP's house and consoled his wife K K Rema. The party state secretariat passed a resolution against the founding leader. At the end of it, the party said: 'Continuous disciplinary violations, publicly expressing views different from the party, not adhering to party decisions, and providing weapons to party enemies are putting the party in crisis. VS is taking a different path from the party. It is difficult to see such a person as a part of the party leadership. We request a decision from the central committee that would protect the party from public disgrace,'' the resolution said, adding that VS should step down as opposition leader. In the 2016 elections, the party fielded both VS and Vijayan. When both won, the central leadership made Vijayan the CM. Despite all this, VS did not leave the party. The CPM leadership did not have the courage to expel VS from the party.
New Indian Express
19-07-2025
- Business
- New Indian Express
KSUM steps up efforts to help startups find success overseas
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: For long, the Gulf has been a land of promise for Keralites. Now, startups too are looking towards West Asia with a glint in their eyes, harbouring hopes of expanding their prospects. And supporting their cause is Kerala Startup Mission (KSUM), which has been regularly organising programmes under the aegis of Startup Infinity, a dedicated arm launched in 2023 to aid this endeavour. One such event is happening next week, on July 22, at the KSUM office in Thiruvananthapuram, titled 'Scaleup in the UAE'. 'The event is being co-organised by 'Startup Middle East', a similar body that supports startup aspirations of those based in the UAE,' says Ashok Kurien, senior manager of KSUM. 'About 30 startups have already registered for the July 22 session. While most startups are from the tech and software sector, there are about four to five that are from the hardware side as well,' Ashok adds. Like the Startup Middle East, KSUM has partnered with numerous other bodies, especially in the UAE and Brussels, to help ventures in Kerala navigate the legal and regulatory framework in these countries. At the programmes they routinely hold, information and instructions too are shared on market prospects, client study, and strategies for Indian startups to go global. As of now, there are about 15 startups that have explored prospects abroad, with help from Startup Infinity and its collaborating partner, Startup Middle East. 'Most of it has been in Dubai. About four have explored using our Brussels facility,' says Ashok. The KSUM is also in the process of expanding to other places to enable start-ups from Kerala to keep infinity as their limit when they plan to scale up. 'A bigger event, which would also explore opportunities for Europe, will be held on July 26,' says Chetan N C, KSUM assistant manager (corporate innovation). For the July 22 event: Register at Entry is free and open to all though seats are limited.
NDTV
17-07-2025
- Politics
- NDTV
The Anguish Of Nimisha Priya And The Imperative Of Compassion
My heart, like those of countless fellow Keralites, is heavy with the plight of Nimisha Priya. This young woman, a daughter of our soil, finds herself ensnared in a legal quagmire of the most profound and perilous nature in Yemen, facing the grim prospect of the gallows. It is a predicament that transcends mere jurisprudence; it is a deeply human tragedy, especially for her family - parents, husband and child - resonating with the universal fear of losing a loved one to circumstances far beyond their control. Death Of A Dream Nimisha's story is, sadly, one that epitomises the hopes and vulnerabilities of many Keralites who seek opportunity in distant lands. She embarked for Yemen with dreams of a better future, a future for herself and, crucially, for her family back in Kerala. Yet, these dreams tragically transmuted into a nightmare, culminating in the death of a Yemeni national, Talal Abdo Mahdi. Though it seems this individual, her employer and partner, was harassing and abusing her, leading to her alleged criminal killing of him, her subsequent conviction and death sentence remains inexpressibly tragic. While the intricacies of the Yemeni legal system, particularly its adherence to Sharia law, are profoundly different from our own, the immediate human crisis demands our utmost attention and empathy. A Complex Situation The core of her precarious situation lies in the concept of 'blood money' or diya - a pathway to pardon recognised under Sharia law, whereby the victim's family may accept financial compensation in lieu of execution. Indians' collective efforts, both governmental and private, have been tirelessly directed towards this avenue. The family has not so far accepted the amounts offered and is insisting on her execution. The reported postponement of her execution, originally scheduled for today - albeit a temporary deferral - offers a flicker of hope, a precious window of opportunity that we must seize with every fibre of our being. The path to her possible reprieve has been fraught, to say the least. Our Ministry of External Affairs has been doing its best, in circumstances complicated by the Civil War in Yemen and the irregular situation of the authorities holding her, as well as by the fact that the Indian Embassy has been relocated out of the country because of the grim political and security situation there, and is operating from a camp office in Djibouti in North Africa since April 2015. This operational constraint, born of dire necessity, has unfortunately hampered the efficacy of our diplomatic overtures thus far. The Intervention Of The Grand Mufti It is within this challenging landscape that a new, vital beacon of hope has emerged. The intervention of the Grand Mufti of India, Ustad Kanthapuram A.P. Abubakar Musliyar, the esteemed General Secretary of All India Sunni Jamiatul Ulama and Chancellor of Jamia Markaz, through his long-standing friendship with the revered Yemeni Sufi Islamic scholar Sheikh Habib Umar bin Hafiz, offers a slender ray of hope and even optimism. All of Kerala now unites in fervent prayer for the success of his crucial efforts. In an era increasingly characterised by attempts to divide people and foster hatred and animosity in the name of religion and community, the venerable Kanthapuram Ustad has delivered a powerful and timely message. His humanitarian initiative underscores a fundamental truth: that humanity stands paramount above all divisions of religion, gender or community. It is a testament to the enduring power of compassion and cross-cultural understanding in navigating even the most intractable of crises. This is not about condoning any alleged wrongdoing, but about upholding the fundamental human right to life, and exploring every conceivable diplomatic and humanitarian channel to secure her reprieve. It is a stark reminder of the complexities inherent in the lives of our citizens who seek their fortunes abroad, often in regions fraught with political instability and distinct legal frameworks. The case of Nimisha Priya compels us to reflect on the imperative of robust consular support and proactive engagement in safeguarding the interests of our diaspora. Our government has, commendably, stated its commitment to doing "whatever is utmost possible", and indeed, the latest intervention by such a respected religious figure has bought us invaluable time. We Need A Diplomatic Offensive As a public representative from her home state, my plea is not merely for bureaucratic intervention, but for a concerted, compassionate, and indefatigable diplomatic offensive. We must ensure that every conceivable effort is made to engage with the victim's family, to appeal to their sense of forbearance, and to facilitate any viable resolution through the established legal and customary pathways in Yemen. This is a moment that calls for the very best of Indian diplomacy and humanitarian outreach. We owe it to Nimisha Priya, and to every Indian citizen abroad, to exhaust every avenue to bring her home, or at the very least, to save her life. For in saving one life, we reaffirm our collective humanity - and our solidarity with every Indian in distress, wherever she may be, anywhere in the world. (Shashi Tharoor has been a Member of Parliament from Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, since 2009. He is an author and a former diplomat.) Disclaimer: These are the personal opinions of the author
