Date:19/01/2003 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2003/01/19/stories/2003011903460100.htm

Front Page

PM gives a pat, makes a point

By Our Special Correspondent

KOCHI Jan. 18. The poet in the Prime Minister surfaced at the Global Investor Meet here and he quoted a number of tongue-twisting Malayalam couplets. Mr. Vajpayee quoted Mahakavi Vallathol's words which were as dear to him as they were to Keralites. A sample quote: "When we hear the name Bharatam, our hearts should be filled with pride, when we hear the name Keralam, blood should surge in our veins with pride.

There was a lighter moment when he gave a graphic picture of the Malayalee diaspora and the hurdles encountered by the prospective investors in setting up industry in Kerala on their return from foreign shores. He recalled a Malayalam movie titled Varavelppu (welcome) in which Mohanlal acted as a Gulf-returned Keralite. He (Lal) invests his savings in a small business venture with high hopes, but in the end, he is forced to close it down after going through unpleasant experiences.