Latest news with #OommenChandy
New Indian Express
20 hours ago
- Business
- New Indian Express
VS' stand against Dubai company proved crucial in SmartCity growth
KOCHI: Former Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan's stand— particularly his opposition to giving incentives to Dubai-based TECOM Investments — played a crucial role in the conceptual stages of the SmartCity Kochi project, then worth Rs 1,500 crore. Eventually, TECOM went on to hold 84% stake in the venture. As the leader of Opposition in 2005, VS built a strong campaign against the then Chief Minister Oommen Chandy's proposal to set up a multi-crore IT park on nearly 250 acres at Kakkanad, highlighting several clauses detrimental to the state's interests. A major point of contention was TECOM's demand for freehold rights over 12% of the land meant for the project. When the LDF government headed by VS came to power in 2006, it was determined to protect public assets and held hard bargains with TECOM. 'The hard line adopted by VS, first as leader of Opposition and then as chief minister, has played a crucial role in retaining the IT field in the public sector and paving the way for its substantial growth, thus proving it a successful model,' K Chandran Pillai, former MP and national secretary of CITU, told TNIE. 'Back then, VS had to bear much criticism for taking an anti-development stand.' In 2006, VS negotiated with the same company and changed the initial terms. 'VS said we will give land on lease but TECOM wanted it as a freeholding,' said Joseph C Mathew, who then served as the IT advisor to the CM. 'The reason was that TECOM, in the case of a lease, would only be able to sublease the land. They claimed it would turn away big names like Microsoft and Google. So, the state government said the land parcels earmarked will be given on freehold rights but will be converted into an SEZ later. That meant TECOM won't have alienable rights. In the last year of the VS government, all misunderstandings were cleared.' Pillai pointed out that VS put forward a new set of conditions acceptable to TECOM as well. 'We could foresee the huge potential of Kochi in the development of IT sector. We were confident of leveraging the IT sector even if the agreement reached by Oommen Chandy was discarded. Kochi has now turned into one of the best IT hubs after the implementation of Phase 1 and Phase 2,' he said. Citing the proposal to develop Kochi as a mega AI hub, with the state government ordering the acquisition of nearly 300 acres for Phase 3 development, Pillai said: 'All these have become possible because of VS' long-term vision and his hard stand against the wrong set of initial agreements 20 years ago.'
The Hindu
5 days ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Rahul Gandhi asks Congress workers to emulate model set by former Kerala CM Oommen Chandy
Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi has called on the party leaders and members to emulate the legacy of former Chief Minister Oommen Chandy in addressing the needs of the people. Inaugurating a public meeting held as part of the second death anniversary of Oommen Chandy at Puthuppally in Kottayam district of Kerala on Friday (July 18, 2025), Mr. Gandhi expressed his aspiration to cultivate more leaders such as the former Chief Minister and told the leaders to 'touch the feelings of the people to become a leader.' 'If you do not feel for the people or are not able to connect with them or hug them, you may not be a leader. The real tragedy in Indian politics is that very few people care for others, listen to them or touch them. Oommen Chandy was one of the masters of political feeling I have come across in my political life,' he said. He also recounted that Oommen Chandy faced 'brutal and unfair political attacks' during his life. 'He endured criminal assaults and non-stop lies were spread against him. Yet, I have never heard him respond with anger. Oommen Chandy is indeed a special person in Kerala politics,' he said. Mr. Gandhi also described Oommen Chandy as a master for him and many other politicians in Kerala. 'In many ways, Oommen Chandy has been a guru for me and many people in Kerala. He showed us the direction, not through mere words or theories, but through his actions. I look forward to many young people in Kerala following in his footsteps and embracing the tradition of politics of Kerala,' he said. He also highlighted Oommen Chandy's initiative, Sruthi Tharangam project, which was launched 'not for electoral gain, but to ensure that every single child in Kerala should be able to hear.' Earlier in the day, Mr. Gandhi paid his respects at Oommen Chandy's tomb at St. George Orthodox Church at Puthuppally by offering floral tributes and lit a candle. Later, he also handed over the keys of 12 houses built by the Oommen Chandy foundation to the beneficiaries and also launched the KPCC's charitable initiative in memory of Oommen Chandy, titled Smrithi Tharangam. UDF leaders, heads of various religious and community organisations, including AICC general secretaries K.C. Venugopal, Deepa Das Munshi, KPCC president Sunny Joseph, Catholicos Baselios Marthoma Mathews III, supreme head of Orthodox Church, and others were among those present at the event.
New Indian Express
5 days ago
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Follow footsteps of Oommen Chandy, Rahul Gandhi tells Congress leaders
KOTTAYAM: As the state is heading for crucial elections later this year and early next year, Congress leader and Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha called on the party leaders and members to emulate the legacy of former Chief Minister Oommen Chandy in addressing the needs of the people. He was speaking after inaugurating a public meeting held as part of the second death anniversary of Chandy in Puthuppally in Kottayam district of Kerala on Friday. Rahul, who expressed his aspiration to cultivate more leaders like Oommen Chandy, told the leaders to touch the feelings of the people to become a leader. 'If you do not feel for the people or are not able to connect with them or hug them, you may not be a leader. Unfortunately, the real tragedy in Indian politics is that very few people care for others, listen to them or touch them. Oommen Chandy was one of the masters of political feeling I have come across in my political life' he said. Rahul further said Oommen Chandy faced brutal and unfair political attacks during his career. 'He endured criminal assaults and non-stop lies were spread against him. Yet, I have never heard him respond with anger. Oommen Chandy is not just an individual, but a special person in Kerala politics. Kerala has the tradition of these types of people,' he said.
United News of India
5 days ago
- Politics
- United News of India
Rahul Gandhi to inaugurate 'Oommen Chandy Memorial Meet' in Kottayam
Kottayam, July 18 (UNI) Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi will inaugurate the 'Oommen Chandy Memorial Meet,' a state-level event marking the second death anniversary of former Chief Minister Oommen Chandy, here today. Congress MP Rahul Gandhi arrived in Kochi yesterday night. The Congress leader received a warm welcome at Cochin Airport by party workers and senior Congress leaders, including Ramesh Chennithala, KPCC President Sunny Joseph, and Leader of the Opposition in the Kerala Assembly, VD Satheesan. As part of the programme, Rahul Gandhi will hand over the keys of 12 houses constructed by the Oommen Chandy Foundation to underprivileged families. He will also launch various humanitarian initiatives of the Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC). During his visit, Rahul Gandhi will visit Puthuppally to pay floral tributes at Oommen Chandy's tomb at St. George Church. Rahul Gandhi is also scheduled to visit Thiruvananthapuram in the afternoon to meet senior Congress leader A.K. Antony, before returning to New Delhi. KPCC President Sunny Joseph, MLA; AICC General Secretary K.C. Venugopal, MP; AICC General Secretary in charge of Kerala, Deepa Das Munshi; Leader of the Opposition in the Kerala Assembly, V.D. Satheesan; and members of the Congress Working Committee will also attend the event organised by the KPCC. UNI DS AAB RKM
New Indian Express
5 days ago
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Rahul to inaugurate Oommen Chandy's second death anniversary observance today
KOTTAYAM: Amid Congress' efforts to re-establish its clout in Central Travancore, the second death anniversary observance of its iconic leader Oommen Chandy will be held on Friday. Making it an opportunity to mobilise its cadre ahead of crucial elections, the party has made elaborate arrangements in Puthuppally, with Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi set to inaugurate a public meet. Rahul's visit is anticipated to energise the party's rank and file ahead of local body elections this year and assembly elections next year. 'Victory in Nilambur by-election has already boosted the morale of our workers. Rahul's presence will further invigorate our ranks,' said a Congress leader. Rahul will pay respects at Chandy's tomb at St George Orthodox Church in Puthuppally. He will hand over keys of 11 houses built by the Oommen Chandy Foundation to beneficiaries, and launch 'Smrithi Tharangam', KPCC's charitable initiative, The Meenadom Sports Turf, the second Oommen Chandy Sports Arena being developed as part of an anti-drug campaign, will be inaugurated at the event.
