Kerala will make history by officially declaring itself "extreme poverty-free" , on November 1. This momentous announcement, made on the state's birth anniversary, will be marked by a grand event at the Central Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram, where film stars Kamal Haasan, Mammootty, and Mohanlal will join as chief guests.
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, along with all state ministers, will attend the event, which will also include cultural performances before and after the official ceremony.
At a press conference in Thiruvananthapuram, local self-government minister MB Rajesh and education minister V Sivankutty celebrated the achievement. They highlighted Kerala’s status as the first state in India and the second region in the world to eliminate extreme poverty.
"Kerala is once again making history by eradicating extreme poverty," they said, acknowledging the state's relentless efforts toward uplifting its most vulnerable communities.
Extreme poverty, as defined by the World Bank, refers to individuals or families living on less than $2.15 (approximately ₹180) per day, struggling to afford basic necessities such as food, shelter, healthcare, and education. In India, the multidimensional approach to measuring poverty also includes factors like nutrition, housing, sanitation, and access to essential services. Tools like NITI Aayog’s Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) have played a crucial role in assessing and addressing these factors.
To mark this achievement, special programs will be organised across all local self-government bodies in Kerala.
