Remittance-based economy cannot benefit Kerala: Union Minister Amit Shah
Thiruvananthapuram (PTI): Union Minister Amit Shah on Sunday said that a remittance-based economy alone cannot benefit Kerala and called for a more inclusive development model for the state.
Addressing a conclave organised by Kerala Kaumudi, a leading Malayalam daily here, Shah said Kerala needed an economic model that ensured development for all citizens.
"If we truly care about the development of every citizen of Kerala, then a remittance-based economy cannot benefit the state. We welcome remittances, and they should continue to come, but the development of every citizen cannot be achieved through remittances alone," he said.
Raising the issue of inclusivity, Shah asked what would happen to those whose family members were not working abroad.
"We need to build an economic model that develops everyone, instead of relying solely on remittances. Remittances can be a part of it, but not the only pillar," he said.
He added that while remittances should not be reduced, more opportunities must be created within the state.
"The potential of tourism must be fully explored, and the education sector in Kerala also needs to be expanded," he said.
Shah said Kerala should fully tap its potential in maritime trade. He also pointed out that the state’s Ayurveda sector, medicinal products, and spices had global appeal and needed to be promoted.
He said the state had scope to develop industries such as data storage, IT, and semiconductors, which do not require large tracts of land but demand high intellectual capability.
"By strengthening the remittance-based economy, Kerala must also adopt a comprehensive and inclusive development model that takes the state forward. This will bring development opportunities to every citizen," he said.
Shah said the BJP had envisioned a developed Kerala and that the state was endowed with immense potential.
"Kerala’s culture, literature, and passion for education make it one of the top states in the country. From Ayurveda to IT, from sports to startups, and from backwaters to intellectual discourse, Kerala has excelled in many fields," he said.
He alleged that the alternating cycle of power between the two political alliances in Kerala had resulted in "political stagnation."
"I have come to appeal to the people of Kerala for a new idea, new blood, and a new kind of politics," he said.
Shah said Prime Minister Narendra Modi was the only leader in Indian history to envision diverse development spanning renewable energy, power generation, and environmental protection.
"In 2014, India was the 11th largest economy in the world. In just 11 years, we have risen to the fourth position, and before December 2027, we will become the world’s third-largest economy," he said.
He said infrastructure growth in the country had increased by around 610 per cent and that India now accounted for 50 per cent of the world’s digital transactions.
"In the past 11 years, we have provided houses, gas connections, drinking water, electricity, free ration, and health insurance to 60 crore poor people, fulfilling basic needs that had remained unmet for two generations," he said.
Shah added that 27 crore people had moved above the poverty line in the last 10 years.
"Along with infrastructure development, manufacturing growth, record foreign investment, export expansion, and the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme, lifting 27 crore people out of poverty reflects India’s model of holistic development," he said.
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Real Madrid fines Valverde and Tchouaméni half a million euros each for altercation
Barcelona (AP): Real Madrid slapped players Federico Valverde and Aurélien Tchouaméni with half-a-million-euro ($588,000) fines on Friday for their altercation during practice.
The massive fines came a day after the midfielders tussled when the team trained. Valverde said in a post on social media on Thursday that no punches were thrown. But Valverde knocked his head on a table and he suffered a small cut that required a brief hospital visit.
On social media, Valverde initially called it a “meaningless fight” with a teammate and said “everything has been blown out of proportion."
His employers, however, considered it a significant enough breach of team discipline to nail both Valverde and Tchouaméni with fines that bite even the bank account of a top soccer player. The half-a-million euro penalties reflect the reputational damage the club was enduring in a chaotic end to a disappointing season.
In a statement, the 15-time European champion said its disciplinary action was concluded after both players expressed to the club “their complete remorse for what happened and apologized to one another.”
Madrid added they also apologized to their teammates, the coaching staff and club supporters, as well as showing their willingness to accept whatever disciplinary action the club deemed “opportune.”
Tchouaméni was back training with Madrid on Friday, two days before they play at Barcelona in a clasico. Madrid has to win otherwise Barcelona will be crowned La Liga champion.
After being notified of the fine, he posted a public apology to the club and its fans on social media.
“What happened this week in training is unacceptable,” Tchouaméni wrote. "I say this while thinking about the example we are expected to set for young people, whether in football or at school.
“Above all, I am sorry for the image we projected of the club.”
Valverde was not at practice due to the head knock.
Both players are set to play in the World Cup next month, with Tchouaméni playing for France and Valverde for Uruguay.
Chaotic end to a poor season
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The run-in between the players, who for seasons have played side by side in Madrid's midfield, came after they argued this week in previous training sessions. But tempers boiled over on Thursday. Spanish media was rife with reports that the players previously disagreed over the club's decision to let coach Xabi Alonso go after just months on the job.
It was not the only altercation involving Madrid players during training this week. Álvaro Carreras confirmed he was in a “minor” incident with a teammate. Spanish media said he and fellow defender Antonio Rüdiger got into a scuffle.
Álvaro Arbeloa, the coach who was promoted from Madrid's reserve team when Alonso was fired in January, will face tough questions on what went wrong inside the changing room when he gives a press conference on Saturday ahead of the clasico at Camp Nou.
Madrid is facing a second consecutive campaign without a major trophy amid rumors in the Spanish media that club president Florentino Pérez is considering bringing back Jose Mourinho to straighten out his underperforming team.
