Kochi, March 11 – Prime Minister Narendra Modi used the golden jubilee celebrations of the Kerala Dheevara Sabha in Kochi to praise the fishing community and highlight the Centre’s initiatives aimed at strengthening the fisheries sector, widely seen as an outreach to a politically influential coastal population in the state.
PM Modi is in Kochi for a few hours today, and this was his first programme of the day.
Addressing a large gathering at the event marking the organization’s 50th anniversary, PM Modi described the occasion as a “historic day” for a body that has “tirelessly worked for the uplift of fishing communities.”
Responding to remarks by Sabha president V. Dinakaran that the Prime Minister had come to bless the community, PM Modi said he had actually come to seek their blessings.
Dinakaran, a two-time former Congress MLA who joined the BJP last year, heads the organization representing a large section of Kerala’s fishing community.
The Kerala Dheevara Sabha represents a fishing community population estimated at nearly 2.5 million across the state, with a strong presence in around 45 Assembly constituencies, making the community a significant electoral force in Kerala politics.
PM Modi said the community has a proud legacy of protecting the country’s coastal wealth and traditions, noting that their work reflects the cultural ethos of respecting water bodies as a form of 'Mother Nature.'
He also paid tribute to spiritual leader Mata Amritanandamayi for her humanitarian work.
Recalling the devastating floods that struck Kerala in recent years, the Prime Minister said fishing communities had come forward in large numbers to rescue stranded residents, adding that the nation remains indebted to them for their courage and service.
Highlighting the Centre’s initiatives for the fisheries sector, he said the National Democratic Alliance government had created a separate ministry to strengthen the “blue economy.”
He said projects worth about Rs 1,400 crore have been earmarked for Kerala’s fishing communities under various schemes.
The Prime Minister also spoke about the National Fisheries Digital Platform aimed at integrating activities in the sector, satellite-based navigation support for fishing boats with thousands of transponders, and the development of nine modern integrated coastal villages in Kerala.
Modernisation of fishing harbours, along with facilities such as ice plants, is also being carried out with Central funding, he said.
Stressing that fisheries is no longer a purely traditional industry, PM Modi said the sector is increasingly embracing modern technology and innovation.
Schemes such as Sagar Mitra, he added, are designed to ensure that the benefits of this transformation reach fishing households.
“The strength of the Dheevara Sabha is visible today itself,” the Prime Minister said, referring to the large turnout at the event.
He expressed confidence that the community’s contribution would continue to drive Kerala’s economic and social progress.
