Elected representatives must communicate work effectively to public: Union minister George Kurian

Thiruvananthapuram: Union minister George Kurian on Saturday said that elected representatives must ensure that their work is effectively communicated to the public, stressing that true recognition comes from people's understanding and acceptance of their efforts.He was speaking after inaugurating the development seminar of the fifth annual plan under 14th Five-Year Plan of Thiruvananthapuram corporation. While social media and mainstream media offer platforms for public representatives to highlight their activities, he said it was essential that their developmental initiatives genuinely reach and convince the people. "When people truly understand the work being done for them, their word-of-mouth appreciation becomes the greatest recognition for any public representative," he said.
The Union minister also highlighted key opportunities announced by Centre that could benefit Kerala, particularly Thiruvananthapuram. He said one of the three newly announced National Institutes of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER) is expected to be allotted to Kerala, with hopes that it will be established in the state capital. He pointed out that among the five university townships announced by Centre, Thiruvananthapuram should stake a strong claim for one, especially in the backdrop of the growing strategic and economic importance of Vizhinjam port. In addition, he referred to the City Economic Region scheme introduced for Tier-II and Tier-III cities, under which Rs 5,000 crore will be allocated to each selected city over five years. He urged the corporation to seek inclusion in the scheme through the state govt. Mayor V V Rajesh presided over the function and said Thiruvananthapuram has all the potential to emerge as the economic capital of South India. He added that the corporation would undertake co-ordinated and strategic initiatives to tap the city's vast possibilities. The seminar concluded with working group-level discussions, followed by a general meeting of the working groups to finalise recommendations for the annual plan.