Thursday, July 28 2005 12:05 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Thiruvananthapuram: The President, A P J Abdul Kalam, today (July 28, 2005) unveiled a 10-point mission for the development of Kerala, to fully realise the state's potential in core areas of competence.

Addressing the Kerala Assembly, Kalam identified tourism, development of waterways, herbal cultivation, creation of investment zones to tap on NRI investments, development of knowledge products and value addition of cash crops as areas which could help the state progress in a big way.

Recalling his two-decade long association with the state during his Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) days, he said, "the unity of minds of the people' was a unique feature of Kerala. Wherever Keralites go for work, they want Kerala to progress."

The major challenge before the state was how to increase its per capita income and find a solution to unemployment by tapping on its achievements in areas like human development, he said.

The first President to address the assembly, Kalam was received by Speaker Therambil Ramakrishnan, Chief Minister Oommen Chandy and Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) Deputy leader Kodiyeri Balakrishnan.

The Governor, R L Bhatia, also spoke.