Kalam urges Kerala to focus on development of tribal, rural areas

Thrissur, Dec 20 (UNI) President A P J Abdul Kalam today said while Kerala could be proud of its tremendous achievements in the past 50 years, it should now focus on taking the fruits of development to the rural, tribal and interior areas of the state.

Addressing the concluding ceremony of the golden jubilee celebrations of the state's formation here, Dr Kalam said that Kerala boasted of all three pre-requisites needed to make a place developed: unity of mind, availability of financial resources and bio-diversity.

''What more do we want to make Kerala into a developed state,'' he added.

Observing that 50 per cent of the state's population was below 30 years of age, the president urged all the political parties to rise above their differences and work towards the future of the people and the state.

Lauding Kerala's tremendous achievements in the fields of education, health care, infant care and road connectivity, Dr Kalam said the state should now tap its potential to develop the information technology and knowledge sectors.

''Adding good electronic connectivity and knowledge connectivity to road connectivity would lead to economic connectivity,'' he added.

Talking of the 'PURA' (Providing Urban Amenities in Rural Areas) initiative of the Central government, the president said that this programme had the power to transform the face of rural India.

He urged the Kerala Government to adopt key characteristics of the programme to bring the fruits of development to the tribal, rural and interior areas, which were lagging behind the urban regions in terms of progress.

Among the areas where the state could focus under 'PURA' were development of world class vocational institutions, quality healthcare through telemedicine, infant mortality rate to be brought under 10, horticulture and floriculture and fish processing to provide employment to all.

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