Kerala Is a Globally Minded Society: Venu Rajamani

Thiruvananthapuram: Venu Rajamani, former Indian Ambassador to the Netherlands and senior diplomat, described Kerala as a society with a global outlook during a panel discussion at the fourth Kerala Assembly International Book Festival. Speaking on “Kerala and the World: Kerala’s Global Engagements Beyond Borders,” he noted that while globalisation has long been part of Malayali life, its influence has intensified recently.

Rajamani highlighted that Kerala continues to maintain a broad liberal perspective even as narrow-mindedness grows in India and abroad, which he described as a major strength. He observed that automation and robotics are causing job losses in Western countries, sometimes fueling racial tensions against Indians.

He criticised India’s stance on international issues, calling it disappointing. On Israel-Palestine and Venezuela, he argued, India’s position contradicted its traditional foreign policy. “South Africa secured a ruling at the International Court of Justice declaring the Gaza actions as genocide, yet India did not participate. Similarly, although India expressed support for Venezuelans, it did not openly condemn the US,” he said. Rajamani also warned against US tariff measures and stricter immigration controls targeting Indians, urging India to respond courageously rather than remain silent.

On education, historian and MD College, Madappally, Head A M Shinas said reforms over the past decade aim to globalise higher education. The introduction of four-year undergraduate programmes under the 2020 National Education Policy is part of this. While aspiring to make Kerala a higher-education hub, challenges remain, including implementing true choice-based learning in crowded classrooms. He also noted that many international conferences in Kerala have become formulaic, unlike flexible programmes offered in Western universities.

The session was moderated by journalist Anupama Venkitesh.