VISION VATAKARA 2025
"SAMANYAUTHINTE VASANTHAM- VATAKARAYUDE VIKASANAM"
"SPRING OF CONCENSUS - DEVELOPMENT OF VATAKARA"

"Vision Vatakara 2025" Seminar was indeed the realization of a deep vision- a great dream- to lift my home town- my Vatakara- from the rut of neglect and backwardness.

One of my electoral promises was that, if I was returned to the Lok Sabha, I would hold a seminar on the needs and possibilities of Vatakara within 6 months of being elected. Accordingly I had an in-depth study made into the requirements and potentials of Vatakara in all spherers. The study was made by an eminent economist, Dr. B.A.Prakash, former HOD of Economics, Kerala University and a team of dedicated researchers. The comprehensive Report they submitted was the nucleus on which the entire debate on Vatakara Parliamentary constituency was unfolded. And the Vision Vatakara 2025 Seminar was held on the 13th, 14 and 15th November 2009- exactly before the expiry of the six month period from my being elected MP from here..

The message I wished to convey to the people was that Development and Growth should be above narrow political considerations and sectarian interests. Accordingly the Seminar- 'Vision Vatakara 2025' - turned out to be an innovative step with the active involvement of all sections of society- Planners, Administrators, Educationists, Industrialists, Health Experts etc. etc. It is gratifying that I was able to enlist the unstinted co-operation from all Political parties, Organizations and people from all walks of life. I wish to place on record the whole hearted support extended to me by the leaders of the then ruling Party as also the Opposition.

KADATHUNADU MAHOTSAVAM- 40 DAYS CULTURAL BONANZA

I firmly believe that PEACE, AMITY & BROTHERHOOD are a prelude to any development. With this in view I arranged for the first outcome of Vision Vatakara 2025 - "KADATHUNAD MAHOTSAVAM" - 40 days cultural bonanza across the Vatakara Parliamentary constituency - i.e all 7 Assembly constituencies. The Mahotsavam was conceptualized as a cultural festival aiming to recapture and revive the traditional glory and heritage of the erstwhile Kadathunad region in North Malabar. I was able to enlist the co-operation of all people cutting across Party, caste, community, age, gender or other considerations. It was held from March to May 2010 comprising of various modules of traditional and ethnic experiences and including classical and folk dances and music, traditional and folk arts, Light & Sound programs, Theatre and drama, contemporary literature, painting, cinema etc. etc.




OTHER SIGNIFICANT PROJECTS INTRODUCED IN VATAKARA PARLIAMENTARY CONSTITUENCY WITHIN TWO YEARS OF VISION VATAKARA 2025:
  1. Establishment of BSF Training Centre at Areekkarakkunnu, Nadapuram:
    This Training Centre is expected to attract investments to the tune of at least Rs. 300 Crores in the region, besides creating huge avenues of direct and indirect employment for the people of Kerala and providing a fresh impetus to the economy of the region. The BSF Training Centre will provide, inter alia, better security environment in the region; an additional back-up force for the local police in the event of any emergency or serious law & order violations; Kendriya Vidyalaya; Hospital; and above all an opportunity to Keralites working in BSF to have a home-state posting sometime in their career. There will also be staff quarters, canteen and medical facilities for both the serving and retired BSF personnel and their family members etc. The BSF centre will provide better road and communication connectivity to the remote areas. Ultimately this centre will convert this backward area into a Township.




  2. Initiated steps for establishment of a CRPF Centre at Perambra.
    The foundation stone was laid by the Chief Minister (online inauguration) and the work is progressing satisfactorily with the active involvement of the top brass of the CRPF.




DEVELOPMENTS IN EDUCATION
  1. Established Malabar Regional Centre of IGNOU at Maniyoor, Vatakara:

    I do consider this one of my major achievements. The "backward" Vatakara constituency can now boast of hosting the Regional Centre of the prestigious IGNOU which caters to six districts of Malabar. It is my considered view that the cornerstone of any development is EDUCATION and the dream of inclusive growth can be attained primarily through EDUCATION.
  2. Community College of IGNOU at Maniyoor:
    I always believed that education was the only means for emancipation. As a direct offshoot of the Vision Vatakara 2025 and as promised by Dr. Rajashekaran Pillai, the then IGNOU Vice Chancellor, IGNOU established a Community College at Maniyoor (Vatakara). This was a new concept in expanding the reach of education to people even in the remote corners of the Malabar region. The Community College, with its various skill-based modules, is expected to offer opportunities for education to the thousands including those who have had to discontinue their studies for various reasons..
  3. Established a Kendriya Vidyalaya at Thalassery:
    This was realization of a long cherished dream. As Member of Parliament from Cannannore for five consecutive terms I was able to bring in 4 Kendriya Vidhyalayas at Mangattuparamba, Kannur and Payyannur
  4. Got sanction for a Kendriya Vidhyalaya at Vatakara:
    Awaiting allocation of land. It was my constant endeavour to setup another Kendriya Vidhyalaya at Vatakara and for this I was able to secure sanction from the HRD Minister.
  5. National Seminar on "Higher Education - Challenges and Opportunities" :
    As a part of the 'Vision Vatakara -2025' initiative, a National Seminar on "Higher Education in Kerala - Challenges and Opportunities" was organised on 4th March, 2012 at Town Hall, Vatakara, with the active participation of the University Grants Commission. The Chief Guest was the UGC Chairman, Professor Ved Prakash.

    The Seminar envisaged to bring together some of the most enlightened minds, reputed educationists and distinguished professionals, to deliberate upon the emerging challenges and future prospects in the field of higher education in India in general, and in Kerala, in particular. The Seminar was intended to spread the message of how essential the empowerment bestowed by higher education is, and how indispensable it is to the future of our country.

    The UGC team taking part in the Seminar included the Chairman and senior officials of the UGC, who actively participated in the discussions, presentations and Q&A sessions. The Principals and Heads of colleges and educational institutions taking part in the Seminar as delegates were given opportunity to send, in advance, the details of their cases, if any, pending with the UGC, for which feedbacks and further clarifications on these issues were given by the UGC team during the interaction session of the Seminar.

RAILWAYS DEVELOPMENT

1. OTHER RAILWAYS DEVELOPMENT:

a) Obtained permanent stops at Vatakara and Thalassery for the Kannur-Yashwantpur Express. Ensured stoppage of M'lore-Palghat Janashatadi Express at Vatakara. Sanctioned stoppage for 22851/22852 Santragachi-Mangalore Weekly Vivek Express at Thalassery w.e.f. 20.05.2012. Also secured stoppage of Coimbator-Mangalore trains at Mukkali and Nadapuram Road stations.




2. DEVELOPMENT OF RAILWAY STATIONS:

As a result of constantly pursuing of various developmental issues pertaining to the Railway Stations in Vatakara Parliamentary Constituency by Shri Mullappally Ramachandran with the Ministry of Railways, the General Manager, Southern Railway, vide his letters dated 18.6.2012, has conveyed the following decisions and progress reports:-

  1. Vatakara Railway Station::
  • Vatakara, a ‘B’ Category Adarsh/Model Station is likely to be upgraded as ‘A’ Category during 2012-13, based on which additional facilities would be provided in a phased manner.  The major passenger amenity works proposed are as under:-
    • Face-lifting of station building and improvements to circulating area;
    • Extension and raising of Platform-2 to hold 24 coaches and construction of Platform-3 to hold 24 coaches;
    • Work on 3rd Platform is to be commenced immediately;
    • Provision of platform shelter for 4 bays length each on both platforms, and 10 bays of mini-shelters;
    • Counter Communication Systems at Booking and Reservation Counters; and
    • Improvement to lighting by providing high-mast lights in circulating area.
  • Provision of VIP Lounge will be considered when the Station is upgraded.
  1. Thalassery Railway Station::
  • Thalsssery, an 'A' Category Adarsh/Model Station, will be provided the following additional facilities/passenger amenities:-
    • Face-lifting of station building and improvements to circulating area;
    • Counter Communication Systems at Booking/ Reservation Counters;
    • Additional seating arrangements on platforms with 3-seater chairs;
    • Provision of International Standard Signage Boards; and
    • Improvement to lighting by providing high-mast lights in circulating area
  • 12 bays of mini-shelters on the existing platforms sanctioned
  • Sanctioned stoppage for 22851/22852 Santragachi-Mangalore Weekly Vivek Express at Thalassery w.e.f. 20.05.2012.
  • PRS Centres at Thaliparamba and Perambra have been sanctioned under 'MPs 100 PRS' Scheme on the recommendation of Shri Mullappally Ramachandran, MoS(Home) and Shri K. Sudhakaran, MP.
  • Cloak Room to be shifted to PF-1, adjacent to Booking Office and to function round-the-clock.
  1. Quilandy Railway Station:
  • Quilandy, a 'D' Category Adarsh Station will be upgraded as 'B' Category during 2012-13, based on which additional facilities would be provided in a phased manner. The following passenger amenity works have been sanctioned, which will be taken up according to availability of funds:-
    • Raising of rail and medium-level platform to high level;
    • Provision of shelter for 4 bays length on downline platform; and
    • Roof-covering of Foot Over Bridge.
RAIL OVERBRIDGES:


Allocation for ROBs were ensured at

1. Tele Hospital
2. Jagnath Temple Gate
3. Koduvally
4. Quilandy

Setting up of a Model Fishing Harbours at Mapila Bay and Chombala:

Chombala Beach which had only poverty and starvation was trsansformed by the setting up of the Chombala Fishing harbour. Chombala Harbour was set up at my behest in my village, Chombala, when I was MP representing Kannur Parliamentary constituency and MOS Agriculture and Co-operation under the Narasimha Rao Govt.. Now my efforts are concentrated on improving the amenities and infrastructure at this harbour- which include extensive dredging to remove the slush and sand, construction of an approach road to the harbour, proper lighting and other basic facilities for the fishermen. Efforts are in hand to form a 'Chombala Harbour Management Society' for establishing a modern Fish Market in a most hygienic ambience and also to make Chombala a tourist destination, with a clean and properly land-scaped beach having components like fisheries museum, aquarium, ethnic sea food restaurants, tourist resorts etc.

The National Highway on the Mahe - Tellichery stretch is extremely narrow

Relaxed visa norms for Pakistani nationals of Kerala origin while visiting their families in Kerala

Established 'Passport Sewa Kendra' at Vatakara.


Vatakara has a huge number of persons working and living abroad, in UAE and other countries. Passport Sewa Kendra will expedite the process of issue of passports and give great relief to the people.
"SURAKSHA"- Kerala State was sanctioned 3 Cyclone Shelters as a pilot scheme
"SURAKSHA"- Kerala State was sanctioned 3 Cyclone Shelters as a pilot scheme under the World Bank sponsored National Cyclone Risk Mitigation Scheme. These are under implementation at Vatakara, Chombala and Thalassery.
Sanctioned Coastal Police Stations at Vatakara, Mahe and Thalassery
Sanctioned Coastal Police Stations at Vatakara, Mahe and Thalassery. As MOS Home Affairs, I have initiated steps to set up Coastal Police Stations along the Kerala Coast. These are under implementation by the State Government.
OTHER PROJECTS:


Set up Krishi Viyan Kendra at Peruvannamuzhi, Perabra.

Prevailed upon Chief Minister of Kerala and ensured adoption of Thazheangadi Village for development under CM's scheme.

Set up BSF centres also at Trivandrum and Trichur.

Ensured better amenities to Peronnel in the Para Military Forces.
ADDITIONAL ACCOMPLISHMENTS:

1.     The facility of ‘Tourist Visa on Arrival’ provided at Trivandrum and Kochin Airport.
2.     Secured sanction for constructing subway at Quilandy on cost sharing basis (50% Railways and 50% State Govt.).
3.     Sanction obtained from Central Sports Minister for laying of a Synthetic Athletic Track at University of Calicut under Urban Sports Infrastructure Scheme.



Kannur Achievements:
Developmental activities as M.P./Minister of State for Agriculture and Co-operation include:

    • The Industrial Growth Centre, Koothuparamba
    • Mapila Bay Fishing Harbaour, Kannur
    • Co-operative Management Institute, Kannur
    • Krishi Vigyan Kendra,Thaliparamba, (Karimbam)
    • The Provident Fund Regional Office, Kannur..
    • The FM radio station, Kannur (rare in the early 1980s).
    • The high power TV transmitter at Kannur
    • The low power TV transmitters at Mahe and Mananthody, ensuring International games coverage.
    • Three Kendriya Vidhyalayas – at Mangattuparamba, Kannur & Payyannur
    • Cannanore Airport Project.
    • Chombala Fishing Harbour in my village in Vatakara.
    • Retention of Aralam Farm
    • Took up Tellichery- Mysore Railway line proposal and had  surveys conducted.
    • Railway Platform and amenities development- The second computerized booking centre in Kerala.
    •  Railway gates to reach remote places away from the townships.
    • Retention of Army Hospital.
    • Ensured better price for Rubber.
    •  Declared minimum price for ginger.
    • Horticulture development.
    •  Proposal to declare Coconut as an oilseed with all related benefits.






I will be justified if I say that all my time and attention I give to my constituency that has so sincerely returned me to the Lok Sabha. Except for the time I had to attend the Parliament Session/ Ministerial Duties, I spent all my time in and around my constituency. I can rightfully claim that what we see as signs of development in Kannur and Vatakara today are my humble contributions as representative of these constituencies..