Indian American Malayalis to discuss tech needs for Kerala

Leading Indian American Malayali researchers, technologists, entrepreneurs and businessmen will meet in New York this week to discuss new technologies suitable for Kerala, a media release said.
"During the meeting, we would brain storm about the new technologies that should be considered for Kerala for it to leapfrog into next generation technology business," said Thomas Abraham of the New York-based Kerala Center, which is organising the two-day Technology Summit on November 14 and 15.
While Kerala is trying to catch up with other states in India in information technology and biotechnology, the State should explore the possibility to leapfrog to the next generation technologies including, nanotechnology, nanobio convergence technologies, nanomedicine, electronic and optical devices, biomedical, alternative energy generation and storage, medical devices and products, high end IT and other next generation products from chemical and physical sciences, IT and pharmaceutical industry, he said.

Ultimately, in ten years, Kerala should become the number one state in India in new technologies.
"Kerala can do it because it has the knowledge power.
Since Kerala can't compete in low tech and mass manufacturing areas because of higher cost compared to other states, the only option is to go toward high value added products to compete in the international market," Abraham said.

There are around 300,000 Malayalis are estimated to be living in the US, while 100,000 are estimated to be in Canada.
"We have very well-known scientists, entrepreneurs and venture capitalists who could contribute for Kerala to initiate new technology areas. The Kerala Center in New York is inviting about 50 such leading personalities for a two day conclave to discuss these initiatives and opportunities," he said.

"A second meeting will be held in Thiruvananthapuram in mid-January, 2015 with participants all over the world and Kerala. The meeting will also look at the research angle for new generation technologies and have a separate meeting with Kerala's Higher Education Council," Abraham said.