KOTTAYAM: The 41st State Conference of Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) Kerala commenced on February 6 at Swargeeya Vishal Nagar, Maman Mappila Hall in Kottayam, marking the beginning of a three-day deliberative gathering of student representatives from across the state. The conference was inaugurated by ABVP National Secretary Shravan B Raj. The opening ceremony was attended by ABVP Kerala State President Dr Vaishakh Sadasivan, newly elected State Secretary Yadhu Krishnan, Reception Committee Chairman Padmashree Dr C I Issac, and Reception Committee General Secretary Adv B Ashok.
Session on Operation Sindoor
On the first day, a special session titled “Operation Sindhoor” was held, featuring retired Army officer and filmmaker Major Ravi, who addressed delegates during the programme. Conference discussions highlighted several pressing concerns affecting Kerala’s higher education landscape. Delegates expressed alarm over increasing student migration abroad and to other Indian states, pointing to the growing number of vacant seats in Kerala’s colleges and universities. Participants attributed the trend to governance failures and also raised issues related to the sharp rise in the state’s public debt and the deteriorating situation of women’s safety. These themes, organisers said, would be incorporated into resolutions to be adopted at the conclusion of the conference.
Speech 1
Operation sindoor
Speaker
Major Ravi6:45 pm -8-00pm#41stABVPKeralaConf#ABVPKerala pic.twitter.com/qRlqPnl0IS
— ABVP KERALAM (@KeralaABVP) February 6, 2026
A packed schedule of lectures and interactive sessions has been lined up over the three days, covering topics such as Gen-Z and nation-building, the impact of Artificial Intelligence on education, civic responsibility, drug-free youth initiatives, and student migration from Kerala. As part of the programme marking the 150th anniversary of Vande Mataram, a seminar will be chaired by J. Nandakumar, Akhil Bharatiya Samyojak of Prajna Pravah, on February 7.
Organisers have also scheduled a grand rally at 11 am on February 7 to Nagambadam Bus Stand, followed by an open conference at the Retreat Centre.
Addressing the gathering, Shravan B Raj said India has the world’s largest youth population and noted that while Gen-Z-led protests had erupted in countries including Bangladesh and Nepal, some groups were anticipating similar turbulence in India. He said recent students’ union elections across the country offered a “befitting reply,” with young voters placing their trust in ABVP and embracing what he termed a nation-first ideology. He added that a visible transition is underway in Kerala as well, with nationalistic sentiment strengthening among youth.
Dr Vaishakh Sadasivan re-elected as State President; Yadhu Krishnan elected as the new State Secretary
During the conference, organisational elections for the 2026–27 session were held, with the results announced by the Election Officer and ABVP National Vice President, Dr M Nagalingam. Dr Vaishakh Sadasivan was re-elected as ABVP Kerala State President, while Yadhu Krishnan was elected as the new State Secretary. Dr Sadasivan, a native of Neyyattinkara in Thiruvananthapuram district, holds a PhD in Chemistry and currently serves as an Assistant Professor at Alappuzha Sanatan Dharma College. An ABVP member since 2005, he has completed two consecutive terms as State President and will now serve again for the 2026–27 session.
Yadhu Krishnan, hailing from Sulthan Bathery in Wayanad, completed his BCA from Muttil WMO College and later earned a BBA LLB from Government Law College, Kozhikode. He joined ABVP in 2015 and became a full-time worker in 2019. His organisational journey includes roles such as City President, Wayanad District Secretary, City Organising Secretary, Kozhikode District Organising Secretary, State Joint Secretary, and National Executive Council Member. He will assume charge as State Secretary for 2026–27, with Kozhikode as his centre.
The conference is set to conclude with formal resolutions reflecting the deliberations held over the three days.
