That is the most significant message beamed by the successful inauguration of the Kochi Metro by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The Cassandras and doubting Thomases have been left red-faced with Kerala Chief Minister demonstrating that, given the political will and determination, the LDF is capable of implementing any project, however difficult that may be.

This was generously acknowledged by no less a person than Prime Minister Narendra Modi himself, who lavished praise on the Kerala Government for the efficiency with which the Metro was converted into reality, braving heavy odds and controversies. Union Urban Development Minister Venkaiah Naidu also identified himself with the sentiments expressed by the Prime Minister.

The successful Metro launch was also marked by a remarkable show of cordiality between the Modi Government and the Pinarayi-led LDF Government, ideologically at loggerheads with each other. This proves, if proof were needed, that, despite ideological differences, consensus can be reached on the issue of development. Kochi metro is the most visible showpiece of this Centre-State concord.

That said, it is a fact that there are many wrinkles that need to be ironed out. First and foremost, Kerala must avoid, like the Plague, the proclivity to kick up controversies at the drop of a hat as it were and on any subject. This deplorable tendency was on show even in the launch of the historic Kochi metro project.

Special mention must be made of the unsavoury controversy created over the presence of that amiable technocrat, E. Sreedharan, popularly known as the “Metro Man’ and without whose guidance the project could not have traversed from the realm of collective Keralite imagination to the fast track of reality. That his name was not there in the original list of dignitaries who would share the dais with the PM was a sad commentary on our refusal to accord respect for personalities who deserve to be respected. It needed a letter from Kerala CM for Sreedharan to be included in the final list.

It is not for nothing that the biggest applause from the distinguished gathering that witnessed the metro launch was reserved for Sreedharan. Every time his name was mentioned, there was thunderous applause for the Metro man. It showed the high esteem in which he is held by Keralites. And, there is no denying the fact that but for Sreedharan’s pivotal role in the project, the acquisition of land for the project – an extremely difficult proposition in Kerala - would not have been possible. It was an emphatic assertion of people’s power which saw Sreedharan supervising the successful execution of Kerala’s dream project.

There is an important lesson to be internalized from this sordid episode. Never again should such living legends be insulted or humiliated. We must imbibe a culture which accords utmost respect and care for people who convert dreams into reality.

The cordiality that animated the Metro inauguration is worthy of emulation by other states which boast of governments ideologically opposed to the one at the Centre. Only then will the laudable concept of cooperative federalism be actualized.

The Chief Minister has – rightly so – laid accent on the state’s infrastructure development. The launch of Kochi Metro will, no doubt, provide the much-needed impetus the State’s infrastructural development requires. Mention must be made here of Pinarayi’s determination to go ahead with the Vizhinjam port development despite the controversy in which the project is embroiled. If there has been any wrong-doing, then it will be taken care of by the probe that has been ordered, averred the CM, adding that the guilty won’t go scot-free. That is the right approach to be adopted on the issue of development. To scrap the project itself would amount to throwing the baby with the bathwater. That is a luxury an infrastructure-scarce state like Kerala cannot afford. (IPA Service)