Indian politician addresses meet of expatriates

Former Kerala minister K Muralidharan speaking at the OICC conference yesterday. PICTURE: Jayaram

The "prodigal son” has returned - former Indian provincial minister K Muralidharan made his first speech in six years at a gathering of Indian National Congress (INC) supporters at the 2nd global conference of Overseas Indian Cultural Congress at Doha Marriott Hotel yesterday.
Earlier on his arrival at the venue, the only son of late INC leader K Karunakaran was accorded a rousing reception by the gathering.
After a "journey through difficult and rough terrain”, Muralidharan said he was back on a "well-laid highway” where he could travel with a lot of confidence.
He said it was sheer coincidence that his first appearance on rejoining the INC coincided with the 10th anniversary of the Indian Cultural and Arts Society (Incas), a forum of Indians in Qatar. He recalled that he attended the inaugural meeting of the organisation in 2001 at the Al Ghazal hall.
Indian federal minister for Overseas Indian Affairs and Civil Aviation Vayalar Ravi said the head office of Air India Express could be shifted later this month to Kochi. He highlighted the role of director board member and prominent NRI industrialist M A Yusuffali’s role in the transfer.
The minister said an Air India hanger In Thiruvananthapuram will be formally launched later this month.