Sat May 17 15:12:01 UTC 2025: **Summary:**

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan addressed professionals at Professional Connect 2025, highlighting the resurgence of superstitions and the importance of promoting scientific temperament for sustainable development. He criticized the reduction in national research grants and emphasized Kerala’s efforts to foster research through initiatives like the Kairali Research Prize, postdoctoral fellowships, and investment in digital science parks and AI hubs. He reiterated the government’s commitment to creating a knowledge-based society.

**News Article:**

**Kerala CM Warns Against Resurgence of Superstitions, Champions Science and Technology**

*Thiruvananthapuram, May 17, 2025* – Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan voiced concerns about the growing prevalence of superstitions in society during his address at Professional Connect 2025, a science and technology event held here today. He stressed the critical need to cultivate a scientific temper and propagate technological knowledge for sustainable development rooted in social justice.

“We live in times when superstitions that were wiped out under the leadership of social reformers are returning and becoming widespread,” the Chief Minister stated, while speaking to professionals from the science and technology sector. He also lamented the reduction in national funding for research and higher education.

In response to these challenges, Mr. Vijayan highlighted the Kerala government’s commitment to promoting research through initiatives like the Kairali Research Prize and the Chief Minister’s Postdoctoral Fellowship. Furthermore, the state is investing ₹600 crore in digital science parks and AI hubs to drive innovation and technological advancement.

The Chief Minister underscored that science and technology are integral to human lives and reiterated his government’s vision for building a knowledge-based society in Kerala.

K.P. Sudheer, Executive Vice President of the Kerala State Council for Science, Technology and Environment (KSCSTE), State Planning Board vice chairman V.K. Ramachandran, and KSCSTE member secretary A. Sabu also addressed the gathering. The event marked the fourth anniversary of the Kerala government.

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