Ente Keralam’ exhibition and marketing fair inaugurated in Kollam as part of state government’s fourth anniversary celebrations

The Ente Keralam exhibition and marketing fair commenced in Kollam at the Ashram grounds as part of the state government's annual celebrations. The fair was open until the 20th of this month. Minister KN Balagopal officially inaugurated the event.During his address, minister Balagopal announced that construction on the headquarters building for the SN Open University was scheduled to begin that year, and he assured attendees that financial issues would not delay the project. He also stated that Kerala was on track to be declared a state without extreme poverty on November 1st.Minister J Chinjurani presided over the inauguration ceremony, which included speeches from M Naushad MLA, Corporation Mayor Honey Benjamin, Deputy Mayor S Jayan, Collector N Devidas, City Police Commissioner Kiran Narayanan, Rural SP Sabu Mathew, ADM G Nirmal Kumar, and District Information Officer L Hemanth Kumar.The My Kerala Exhibition and Marketing Fair featured 156 themed stalls dedicated to showcasing the government's public welfare activities and free services. Additionally, 96 other stalls offered products for display and sale from various government departments and agencies. A range of government services were available to the public at no cost throughout the fair. Visitors could also enjoy a food court organized by Kudumbashree.Earlier that day, the Women and Child Development Department hosted a series of cultural programs. These included a group dance by Anganwadi preschool children, performances by children from welfare institutions, folk songs by Anganwadi workers, Thiruvathira, poetry recitation, hand drumming, girls' Kalaripayattu, an anti-drug dance, a performance by the Kulathupuzha Tanat Kala Sangh, and a skit highlighting the department's various initiatives.Regarding housing and poverty eradication, the LIFE Mission housing scheme has completed 78.30 per cent of homes for eligible families, with an expected rise to 81.08 per cent soon. Kerala's efforts to eliminate extreme poverty have resulted in lifting 3,375 out of 4,461 identified families out of poverty, with a goal of reaching 97 per cent in the next quarter. Environmental and sustainability initiatives are also underway, including the Waste-Free Kerala campaign, the Haritha Kerala Mission, and the creation of green spaces.In related news, chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan led a regional review meeting in Thiruvananthapuram to assess development initiatives in Kollam. A significant achievement highlighted was the district's 100 per cent door-to-door waste collection. The meeting also covered progress in infrastructure projects such as bridge renovations and completions, National Highway upgrades, improvements in road connectivity and water management, healthcare facility upgrades, and the expansion of educational facilities.The chief minister praised Kollam for its achievements, urging other districts to replicate these successes. The meeting was attended by Chief Secretary A Jayathilak, District Collector N Devidas, and other officials.Disclaimer: The above content is non-editorial, and TIL hereby disclaims any and all warranties, expressed or implied, relating to it, and does not guarantee, vouch for or necessarily endorse any of the content.