Kerala government kicks off Navakeralam Citizens Response Programme

The Navakeralam Citizens Response Programme, a State government initiative to collect feedback from the public to plan the future development of the State, kicked off on Thursday (January 1, 2026).

Volunteers began their house visits across the districts by calling on prominent personalities, the government said. The programme will help to formulate public opinion on development by discerning the requirements of various regions and plan accordingly, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said.

“The opinion of each and every individual is important for the progress of the State. Every individual would have a concept of the future and suggestions concerning it in accordance with their environment and aspirations. It is part of the democratic process to listen to such suggestions and compile them and plan accordingly,” the Chief Minister said.

Across districts, volunteers called on prominent personalities and handed over brochures and collected their feedback as part of the programme, which has been launched a few months ahead of the 2026 Assembly elections.

In Thiruvananthapuram district, the volunteers visited the houses of senior BJP leader O. Rajagopal, actor Madhu and auteur Adoor Gopalakrishnan. In Kottayam district, they visited former Supreme Court Justice K.T. Thomas at his residence in Kanjikuzhi. District Collector Chetan Kumar Meena handed over a letter from the Chief Minister and a brochure to Mr. Thomas. Changanassery Archbishop Mar Thomas Tharayil and singer Vaikom Vijayalakshmi were also present.

In Ernakulam district, Antony John MLA inaugurated the district-level programme by collecting the feedback from Kothamangalam Bishop Mar George Madathikandathil. Kaithapram Damodaran Namboothiri, whose residence in Thiruvannoor was the first to be visited in Kozhikode district, suggested that an arts village should be established to bring Kerala’s art forms under one umbrella.

Minister for SC/ST Welfare O.R. Kelu inaugurated the district-level event in Wayanad. The Citizens Response Programme is aimed at collating opinions and suggestions for government policies that would be implemented in Kerala by 2031, he said.

Volunteers visited the residences of Appukutta Poduval in Kannur and sculptor Kanayi Kunhiraman in Kasaragod.

Trained volunteers are visiting houses to compile the opinions and suggestions, the State government said. Apart from private residences, they will also be visiting workplaces, farmlands, flats, educational and healthcare institutions and commercial establishments, the government said.