Kovind lays foundation for government building at IT park

Thiruvananthapuram, Oct 27 (IANS) President Ram Nath Kovind on Friday laid the foundation stone for the first government IT building at the Technocity campus here.

The 400 acres Technocity project at Mangalapuram in the city suburbs is located a stone's throw away from the Technopark campus.

The building of the Kerala government is to become operational in 2019.

Praising Kerala's contribution to the Digital India campaign, Kovind said: "The future of the young generation is new jobs that will come up in the Digital India campaign and Kerala is a power house in this campaign as it is one of the most digitally connected states.

"Kerala today stands in eighth position in the country in software exports."

The President also said Kerala has a huge job potential in IT, tourism and health care sectors.

"In all these sectors, IT is going to help in a big way as Kerala is a standout destination on our planet and the hospitality here has always been a role model. In healthcare, Kerala has carved out a position through ayurveda," he said.

He also lauded the state's people for making a huge contribution to the economy of the Middle East countries and through their remittances, also keeping the state's economy at a high level.

"On my first visit abroad to Ethiopia, I came to know that a large number of Indian teachers was there working hard and of these, a good number of them were from Kerala. I have also experienced it as I too had people from here working in my office," said Kovind.

The President arrived here on Friday afternoon and was received by Governor P. Sathasivam, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and other top officials.

On Saturday, he leaves to Kochi to take part in a function of the Kerala High Court and will return to Delhi from there.