Thiruvananthapuram | Chief Minister V D Satheesan on Wednesday said the government will mark the state's 70th formation day with 'Festival Kerala', a series of events in major cities across the country to showcase its tourism and investment potential.
Satheesan said a cabinet sub-committee, with him as chairman and State Cultural Minister P C Vishnunadh as its convener, has been constituted to oversee the conduct of the festival.
He said 'Festival Kerala' will be held in various parts of the country, such as Keralam, Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai and Kolkata, featuring the state's indigenous art forms, discussions and its distinctive features.
"It will showcase the tourism and investment potential of Keralam and the focus areas being highlighted by the government. There will be investor meets in major Indian cities as part of the first edition of the festival. Whether it should be taken outside the country will be examined during its second edition," the CM said at a press conference here.
Satheesan said the event was being called 'Festival Kerala' and not 'Festival Keralam' as some experts in the field of grammar had raised objections to the use of 'Keralam' in certain contexts.
He said the festival will serve as a campaign to showcase Keralam to the world and attract more tourists and investments.
The government intends to begin the programmes on November 1, coinciding with Keralam's 70th formation day, he said.
