At a time when the world is often overshadowed by chaos and tragic headlines, it’s easy to overlook the stories that inspire hope, resilience, and progress. Throughout 2024, despite the challenges, there have been remarkable achievements, acts of kindness, and breakthroughs that remind us of humanity’s potential to overcome and innovate. From developmental milestones to technological achievements and stories of individuals making a difference, these moments of good news shine as beacons of optimism. Here’s a look at some of the most uplifting stories of 2024 in Kerala—proof that amidst the noise, there is always room for hope and celebration.
1. Big Leap for IT Sector in Kerala
Kerala’s IT sector witnessed a tremendous boom in 2024 with Taurus Embassy Techzone’s special economic zone commencing operations in Thiruvananthapuram’s Technopark Phase III. The project, being implemented with public-private partnership, will generate employment for 10,000 people. Embassy Taurus Techzone (ETTZ) offers a vast workspace spanning 2 million square feet on a 12-acre area.
2. Keralite in India’s First Manned Space Mission
Palakkad native Prasanth Nair is among the four test pilots shortlisted for the Gaganyaan mission, India’s first manned space mission. The other astronauts are Angad Prathap, Ajit Krishnan, and Shubhanshu Shukla. Prasanth, hailing from Nenmara, joined the Air Force in 1999 after completing engineering at NSS College, Palakkad.
3. When A Low Budget Movie Hit Jackpot
‘Manjummel Boys’ became the first Malayalam film to collect Rs 200 crore at the box office within 26 days of its release. The film won the hearts of people by narrating a survival story and friendship.
4. When Compassion Transcended Boundaries
Keralites across the world came together to raise Rs 34 crore (15 million Saudi Riyals) in blood money required to save a Kozhikode native, Machilakath Peediyekkal Abdul Rahim, from a death sentence. It all began when a few local residents at Abdul Rahim’s native place in Feroke, Kozhikode, formed an action committee to raise the blood money to save him. They also launched an app called “Save Abdul Rahim,” which was downloaded by thousands of people to spread awareness about saving Abdul Rahim from the death penalty.
5. Kerala Creates Maritime History
The first mother ship ‘San Fernando’ from China arrived at Kerala’s newly built Vizhinjam International Sea Port, marking the first container ship at India’s largest transhipment port. The commencement of operations at Vizhinjam Port in Kerala has opened a new chapter of development for Kerala in world maritime history.
6. It’s Business Time in Kerala
Kerala emerged as the leader in the country in ‘Ease of Doing Business Reforms’ as per a ranking by the Union Ministry of Commerce and Industries. This is the first time that Kerala has been ranked number one in creating an industry-friendly environment.
7. Digital Kerala
Kerala becomes the first state to have an integrated digital land registration system, and Ujar Ulivar in Manjeshwaram taluk becomes the first village in the country to complete digital land survey.
