V D Satheesan Delivers 18th K P Hormis Memorial Lecture

KOCHI:
Chief Minister of Kerala, V D Satheesan, delivered the 18th K P Hormis Memorial Lecture, hosted by Federal Bank, at Grand Hyatt Kochi.

The Chief Minister delivered the memorial lecture on the topic “Reimagining Kerala”. In his lecture, he highlighted the need for a comprehensive transformation of Kerala across key sectors, including education, healthcare, tourism, sports, public welfare, elderly care and women’s safety, in keeping with the changing needs of the modern era.

He noted that Kerala already possesses infrastructure and social amenities comparable with those in several Western countries, and emphasised the need to utilise these resources more efficiently. He also stressed the importance of transforming the State’s geographical and demographic challenges into opportunities for growth, while creating greater opportunities for the youth and ensuring the welfare of senior citizens.

He added that the State should move beyond its traditionally recognised development achievements and create a distinctive Kerala model of development capable of redefining growth across sectors. As part of this vision, he announced plans to organise ‘Festival Kerala’, initially across different parts of India and subsequently at international locations.

The initiative will showcase Kerala’s heritage, art, culture and traditions while also providing a platform to highlight the State’s entrepreneurs, investment opportunities, tourism potential and talent to audiences in India and across the world. He emphasised that Festival Kerala would go beyond being a cultural showcase and serve as a platform for investment promotion, tourism, entrepreneurship and presenting Kerala’s capabilities to a wider global audience.

The Chief Minister welcomed Federal Bank’s contribution to the State’s development and called for its continued participation in the efforts to reimagining Kerala and drive its transformation across sectors.

Elias George, Chairman, Federal Bank, welcomed the gathering and set the context for the evening. KVS Manian, Managing Director & CEO, Federal Bank, delivered the vote of thanks and expressed his gratitude to the Chief Minister for delivering the 18th K P Hormis Memorial Lecture.

The event was attended by over 1,500 people, including eminent personalities, Trustees of the Foundation, members of the Bank’s Board of Directors, Senior Executives and officials of the Bank. Students from various business schools also attended the event. The event also featured a digital exhibition showcasing some of the latest innovations and technologies in the banking and financial sector, including FedHive, the Bank’s social media monitoring tool.

The lecture was followed by a question-and-answer session with the Chief Minister, in which he deliberated on the topic further.

The K P Hormis Memorial Lecture is organised in memory of Late K P Hormis, Founder of Federal Bank, and has over the years provided a platform for distinguished leaders and eminent personalities to share their perspectives on issues of contemporary relevance.

The Federal Bank Hormis Memorial Foundation was instituted in 1996 to perpetuate the memory of Late K P Hormis. The Foundation and its activities were inaugurated by the then Union Finance Minister, P. Chidambaram, at Ernakulam on October 18, 1996. Since its inception, the Foundation has undertaken various initiatives aimed at promoting knowledge and awareness in the areas of banking, finance and economics, alongside educational and community welfare programmes.

The 18th K P Hormis Memorial Lecture continued this legacy by bringing together a diverse audience for an exchange of perspectives and ideas on issues relevant to society and the economy.