Technopark Has a Vital Role in Redefining Kerala Capital’s Profile, Says Senior Journalist MG Radhakrishnan

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM:
Technopark has played a vital role in the strategic transformation of Kerala capital from just an administrative capital into a knowledge and technology hub, according to senior journalist and columnist MG Radhakrishnan.

adhakrishnan was speaking at the Technopark vodcast series ‘Aspire: Stories of Innovation.’

The biggest contribution of Technopark, India’s first IT Park, has been that it changed the long-held perception about Kerala as not a very ideal place for big-ticket entrepreneurial ventures.

He said besides its natural ambience, the Kerala capital now has the advantage of Vizhinjam International Port, good infrastructure, top-notch educational institutions and congestion-free logistics and connectivity.

“Technopark has become a showpiece of how enterprises can bourgeon. In its 35 years of existence, not a single day has been lost due to any labour unrest or hartal. It has developed a completely different culture and a paradigm shift has taken place in Technopark, which is palpable,” Radhakrishnan observed.

Commenting on Kerala’s ecosystem, he noted that the state has been ranked top in human development and per capita income in 2026. “Until the 1980s, the state had high human development indices while economic growth was low. From 1990s, things started changing. The state also started to go up in economic ladder fuelled mainly by the remittances from the Gulf,” he said.

Radhakrishnan said normally, FMCG (FastMoving Consumer Goods) companies consider Kerala as a single metro and Thiruvananthapuram has entered a completely new age.

Stressing the need for retaining the advantages of the capital city, he said migration has been in the gene of Malayalees since they have aspirations and eager to get exposure.

“The talent pool is amazing in the city and some kind of a reverse migration is happening now. Youngsters who study abroad are coming back seeking more facilities here. Technopark is a classic example of creating facilities in the IT ecosystem on par with global standards,” Radhakrishnan said.

While flagging the need for a masterplan for the city, he called for creating more facilities in the state and making it more attractive for people to come back and work here.

Highlighting the role of media, Radhakrishnan observed that Kerala media is more responsible and remains committed to the larger good of the society at a time when its counterparts elsewhere is hankering after sensational news. He pitched for a sustained interaction between media and Technopark.

On the increasing significance of AI, Radhakrishnan said it will have serious impact on all industries and there are lurking dangers too as it poses challenge to human creativity.

He added that young people need to learn how to stay relevant and increase knowledge, besides equipping themselves and focusing on specialisation.