States » SouthPosted at: Oct 2 2026 7:53PM


CM calls for ‘Reimagining Kerala’, announces Festival Kerala

Kochi, Oct 2 (UNI) Kerala Chief Minister V D Satheesan on Friday called for a comprehensive transformation of the State across key sectors and announced plans to organise ‘Festival Kerala’ across different parts of India and later at international locations to showcase Kerala’s heritage, culture, tourism, entrepreneurship and investment opportunities.
Delivering the 18th K P Hormis Memorial Lecture, hosted by Federal Bank at Grand Hyatt Kochi, Satheesan said Kerala should move beyond its traditionally recognised development achievements and create a distinctive development model capable of redefining growth across sectors.
Speaking on the theme “Reimagining Kerala”, the Chief Minister said the State needed comprehensive transformation in education, healthcare, tourism, sports, public welfare, elderly care and women’s safety in keeping with changing needs.
He said Kerala already had infrastructure and social amenities comparable with those in several Western countries and stressed the need to utilise these resources more efficiently.
Satheesan also underlined the need to turn Kerala’s geographical and demographic challenges into opportunities for growth while creating greater opportunities for the youth and ensuring the welfare of senior citizens.
Elaborating on his vision for Kerala, he said ‘Festival Kerala’ would initially be organised at different locations across India and subsequently at international destinations.
The initiative would showcase Kerala’s heritage, art, culture and traditions while providing a platform to highlight the State’s entrepreneurs, investment opportunities, tourism potential and talent before audiences in India and abroad.
He said Festival Kerala would go beyond being a cultural showcase and serve as a platform for investment promotion, tourism, entrepreneurship and projecting Kerala’s capabilities to a wider global audience.
Satheesan welcomed Federal Bank’s contribution to the development of the State and called for its continued participation in the efforts to reimagine Kerala and drive its transformation across sectors.
Federal Bank Chairman Elias George welcomed the gathering and set the context for the evening, while Managing Director and CEO KVS Manian proposed the vote of thanks.
More than 1,500 people, including eminent personalities, Trustees of the Foundation, members of the bank’s Board of Directors, senior executives and officials, attended the event. Students from various business schools were also present.
A digital exhibition showcasing innovations and technologies in the banking and financial sector, including FedHive, the bank’s social media monitoring tool, was also organised as part of the event.
The lecture was followed by an interactive question-and-answer session with the Chief Minister, during which he elaborated on various aspects of the theme.
The K P Hormis Memorial Lecture is organised in memory of K P Hormis, founder of Federal Bank, and has over the years provided a platform for distinguished leaders and eminent personalities to share their perspectives on issues of contemporary relevance.
The Federal Bank Hormis Memorial Foundation was instituted in 1996 to perpetuate the memory of K P Hormis. The Foundation and its activities were inaugurated by then union Finance Minister P Chidambaram at Ernakulam on October 18, 1996.
Since its inception, the Foundation has undertaken initiatives aimed at promoting knowledge and awareness in banking, finance and economics, besides supporting educational and community welfare programmes.
The 18th K P Hormis Memorial Lecture continued this legacy by bringing together a diverse audience for an exchange of perspectives and ideas on issues relevant to society and the economy.
UNI DS
Tags: #CM calls for ‘Reimagining Kerala’# announces Festival Kerala
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