Why is Kerala Observing 'Social Solidarity' Fortnight from October 2?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Social Solidarity fortnight runs from October 2 to October 15.
- Focus areas include education, health, and employment.
- The event commemorates the centenary of Gandhi and Sree Narayana Guru's meeting.
- Activities will occur at various levels for public involvement.
- Welfare initiatives will support safe housing and job creation.
Thiruvananthapuram, Sep 24 (NationPress) Kerala is set to celebrate the 'Social Solidarity' fortnight from October 2 to October 15, featuring initiatives focused on education, health, and employment.
This important event is being organized by the Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Backward Class Development Department in collaboration with various government agencies in Kerala.
On Wednesday, Minister for SCs/STs/Backward Class Welfare O.R. Kelu announced that this fortnight will also honor the 100th anniversary of the significant meeting between Mahatma Gandhi and social reformer Sree Narayana Guru. Sree Narayana Guru was a prominent philosopher and leader who championed a reform movement against caste injustices in Kerala, striving for spiritual enlightenment and social equality.
The theme for this year's observance is 'Rising Towards Knowledge and Employment.'
According to the Minister, this initiative seeks to integrate marginalized communities into the mainstream through awareness campaigns and development programs.
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan will kick off the state-level program at Kanhangad, Kasaragod, on October 2 at noon, with the closing ceremony scheduled for October 15 in Thiruvananthapuram.
To foster broader public participation, activities will occur at both constituency and panchayat levels.
Each day of the fortnight will highlight a different focus area, starting with cleanliness on October 2, followed by campaigns on anti-drug initiatives, health, education, housing, and employment guarantee programs.
Other themes will include the Gandhi-Sree Narayana Guru centenary, forest rights, prevention of atrocities, disaster preparedness, hostel social audits, and the launch of the Aishwarya village development initiative.
In addition to these awareness campaigns, various welfare projects will be initiated.
These projects include the completion of 15,000 safe houses, creating 5,000 job opportunities for SC community members, conducting lifestyle disease detection camps, and providing top-up loans to small-scale entrepreneurs under the Samruddhi Kerala scheme.
Minister Kelu emphasized that the fortnight aims to bolster social justice and ensure comprehensive development for marginalized groups while promoting empowerment through education and employment.