Goa Governor P.S. Sreedharan Pillai inaugurated the golden jubilee celebrations of the Akhil Kerala Dheevara Sabha in Kochi on March 2, stating that the organisation is an undisputed force with a strong organisational base. He emphasised that the Sabha is capable of executing its own agenda effectively.
During his address, the Governor referred to the Sabha leadership’s claim that their workers have never caused any damage during their agitations for legitimate rights over the last half-century. He opined that the leaders and workers of other community organisations should take inspiration from this example.
Dheevara Sabha State President Adv. U.S. Balan chaired the event. George Kurien, Hon. Union Minister of State for Fisheries, Minority Affairs, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, released the souvenir, which documents the Sabha’s 50-year history. The minister also felicitated the former state council members who are now above 75 years old. The Worshipful Mayor of Kochi, Adv. M. Anilkumar, received the first copy. Hibi Eden MP delivered the keynote address.
The Union Minister stated in his speech that the anxieties of the fishermen community would be addressed. He said that foreign trawlers would not be permitted to fish within the country’s territorial waters. Transponders will be installed free of cost in one lakh fishing boats. Under this scheme, six thousand boats in Kerala will benefit. This will facilitate constant communication between the boats and the people back home. In case of any mishap at sea, helicopters can be arranged for relief operations. If the boats drift beyond Indian territorial waters, the people on board will be immediately informed. Those on land will always be able to monitor the situation on board the boats, and any untoward incidents at sea can be promptly communicated.
Honoured to attend and address the Golden Jubilee Celebrations of Akhila Kerala Dheevara Sabha in Kochi today. The Sabha has played a vital role in uplifting the fishing community and preserving cultural heritage. @FisheriesGoI pic.twitter.com/M2ujGQhNFL
— George Kurian (@GeorgekurianBjp) March 2, 2025
Minister Kurien added that the Union Government is duty-bound to address the concerns of the fishermen. He stated that 60% of the cost of the transponders would be borne by the Union Government and 40% by the State Government. The Union Government is also moving forward with the installation of modern centres to track climatic changes, with thirty-six villages in Kerala selected for this initiative. Large fishing vessels will be built and handed over to fishermen for operations up to 20 nautical miles offshore.
MLAs K. Babu, T.J. Vinod, and P.P. Chitharanjan; BJP District President Adv. K.S. Shaiju; MECA General Secretary N.K. Ali; Vedavyasa Vaidya Sabha Patron Thanthri Sukumaran; Dheevara Sabha General Secretary and former MLA V. Dinakaran; Organising Secretary P.V. Janardhanan; Treasurer A. Damodaran; former President P.N. Balakrishnan; Vice President Poonthura Sreekumar; and Secretary K.K. Thampi spoke on the occasion.
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