Shivraj Patil asks states to emulate Kerala's developmental model

New Delhi, Nov 1 (UNI) Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil today asked states to emulate the Kerala model of development and administration which led to the state attaining cent per cent literacy and having very few people below the poverty line.

Mr Patil was inaugurating the Golden Jubilee celebrations of the creation of the state in the Kerala House in the city tonight.

He said the achievement of Kerala in several social sectors has been tremendous in the past 50 years. ''Kerala is one of the most efficiently administrated state. Kerala is one of the most beautiful parts of the country. People there are cultured, broad minded and brave.'' Referring to the reorganisation of states on the basis of langauges in 1956, Mr Patil said diversity and plurality make India rich. ''Our intention is to preserve and protect culture and langauge,.'' he said.

Kerala Local Self Government Minister P Mohammad Kutty presided over the meeting in which some MPs and MLAs from the state participated.

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