In a historic milestone for India, Kerala is all set to become the first State in the country officially free from extreme poverty. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan will make the grand declaration at a public event on November 1 — Kerala Piravi Day — at the Central Stadium, Thiruvananthapuram.
The celebration will see the convergence of Kerala’s finest — cinema legends Mohanlal, Mammootty, and Kamal Haasan — who will grace the event as special guests. The ceremony will also be attended by Ministers, the Leader of the Opposition, and senior government officials, symbolising a collective achievement for the State.
A Vision Turned into Reality
The announcement marks the culmination of an ambitious poverty eradication initiative launched in 2021, soon after the Left Democratic Front (LDF) government assumed office. The mission aimed to uplift families facing extreme poverty by addressing their most fundamental needs — food, health, livelihood, and shelter.
Through rigorous ground-level surveys, the government identified 64,006 families across Kerala living in extreme poverty. Each family was individually profiled and provided with tailor-made support, ranging from housing and healthcare to employment assistance and social security schemes.
A Model for the Nation
Minister for Local Self-Governments M.B. Rajesh described the achievement as a “landmark moment in Kerala’s welfare history,” crediting people’s participation and decentralised governance for the success.
“This is not just a government programme — it is a collective movement that ensured no one was left behind,” he said.
Kerala’s poverty eradication model is now being hailed as a template for other Indian states, showcasing how strong political will, data-driven policy, and community engagement can combine to eliminate extreme poverty.
Celebrating Human Dignity and Development
Beyond statistics, the initiative reflects Kerala’s long-standing commitment to inclusive growth, social justice, and human dignity. From health to education, and now to poverty elimination, Kerala continues to lead India in people-centric development.
As the State prepares for the November 1 declaration, the event promises not only to mark a proud moment for Kerala but also to ignite hope across India — that a poverty-free future is possible with compassion, strategy, and sustained effort.
