Video: 'United, we can build a new Kerala,' chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan says in Sharjah
Rs310 billion still needed to rebuild flood-hit state, says Kerala chief minister
Sharjah: The Chief Minister of Kerala Pinarayi Vijayan said on Thursday that the south Indian state is on the rebound with renewed vigour in all sectors following the devastating floods it experienced last year.
Speaking after inaugurating the Come on Kerala Festival’s Business Conclave in Sharjah, Vijayan said: “We are rebuilding Kerala in such a way that we should be able to overcome any future calamities. We are working on reinstating the lost livelihoods and ensure permanent employment opportunities for our youth back home.”
Vijayan announced that the construction of the houses that were damaged in the floods will be completed by this April.
He also said the state requires a fund of Rs310 billion (Dh16.08 billion) for reconstruction.
“Though the support that we have been offered by the Central government is a minuscule percentage of that, we are confident that we will be able to build a new Kerala. We can do that only if we stand united,” he told the expats.
Vijayan hailed the UAE for being the first country to extend its support to Kerala after the floods. “The UAE responded in such a way that the floods happened in its own soil. We remember with great gratitude that this was the first county that offered a helping hand to Kerala,” he said.
“I’m happy that an event like this that promotes trading of products from Kerala and attracts investment to Kerala is happening in this land,” he said appreciating the Madhyamam group for hosting the three-day cultural festival and trade exhibition in Sharjah.
Shaikh Khalid Bin Abdullah Bin Sultan Al Qasimi, chairman of the Department of Sea Ports and Customs in Sharjah, Consul General of India in Dubai Vipul, Kerala legislative assembly speaker P. Sreeramakrishnan, Indian parliamentarian P.K. Kunhalikutty and Yousuf Ali M.A., vice-chairman of Norka Roots, also attended the event.