Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala will observe this year’s 'Social Solidarity' fortnight from October 2 to October 15, with programmes focusing on education, health, and employment.

The initiative is being organised by the Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Backward Class Development Department, in collaboration with several state government departments.

Minister for SCs/STs/Backward Class Welfare O.R. Kelu announced on Wednesday that the fortnight will also commemorate the 100th anniversary of the historic meeting between Mahatma Gandhi and social reformer Sree Narayana Guru. Sree Narayana Guru was a philosopher, spiritual leader and social reformer in India. He led a reform movement against the injustice in the caste-ridden society of Kerala in order to promote spiritual enlightenment and social equality.

The theme for 2025 has been set as 'Rising Towards Knowledge and Employment.'

According to the Minister, the fortnight aims to integrate marginalised communities into the mainstream through awareness campaigns and developmental initiatives.

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan will inaugurate the state-level programme at Kanhangad in Kasaragod on October 2 at noon, while the concluding event will take place in Thiruvananthapuram on October 15.

To encourage greater public participation, activities will be held at both constituency and panchayat levels.

Each day of the fortnight will focus on a specific theme, beginning with cleanliness on October 2. Other subjects include anti-drug campaigns, health, education, housing, employment promotion, and job guarantee schemes.

Other themes include the Gandhi–Sree Narayana Guru centenary, forest rights, prevention of atrocities, disaster preparedness, hostel social audits, and the launch of the Aishwarya village development project.

Alongside awareness campaigns, a range of welfare measures will be rolled out. These include the completion of 15,000 safe houses, creation of job opportunities for 5,000 members of SC communities, lifestyle disease detection camps, and the distribution of top-up loans for small-scale entrepreneurs under the Samruddhi Kerala scheme.

Minister Kelu said the fortnight is aimed at strengthening social justice and ensuring holistic development for marginalised groups, while also spreading the message of empowerment through education and employment.

IANS