The inaugural Global Malayalee Festival in Kochi will unveil plans for the Wayanad AI and Data Center Park, aiming to position Kerala as a leader in technology and innovation.
Kochi: The inaugural Global Malayalee Festival, taking place on January 1 and 2 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Kochi, promises to be a landmark event for the global Malayalee community. This festival, organized by the Malayalee Festival Federation, a not-for-profit organization registered as an NGO, aims to blend cultural celebration with strategic economic initiatives.
Bringing together Malayalees from around the world, the festival seeks to foster cultural unity, business collaboration, and long-term development initiatives for Kerala. A key highlight of the event will be the announcement of a significant public-private partnership project—the proposed Wayanad AI and Data Center Park. This initiative aims to position Kerala as a leading hub for artificial intelligence, data infrastructure, and technological innovation in India.
The Global Malayalee Festival is designed to be inclusive, welcoming participants from all walks of life, including professionals, entrepreneurs, academics, artists, and community leaders. The central event on the evening of January 1 will feature global delegates networking and celebrating the New Year, underscoring the festival’s emphasis on unity and shared identity.
January 2 will be dedicated to the first-ever Global Malayalee Trade and Investment Meet, a full day of structured sessions aimed at connecting Kerala with global business expertise and capital. The morning session will include presentations from prominent business leaders, particularly from Gulf countries, alongside leading Malayalee entrepreneurs. Discussions will focus on investment opportunities in Kerala, emerging global markets, cross-border trade, and the diaspora’s role in strengthening the state’s economy.
The afternoon session will shift focus to artificial intelligence, information technology, and startup ecosystems, reflecting Kerala’s ambitions in the digital economy. Industry experts, technology entrepreneurs, and startup leaders are expected to explore opportunities in AI innovation, data science, and digital infrastructure, highlighting Kerala’s potential as a knowledge and technology hub.
During this session, the Malayalee Festival Federation will formally announce plans for the Wayanad AI and Data Center Park, proposed to be located in South Wayanad, between Kalpetta and Nilambur. This project is envisioned as a comprehensive facility that will combine AI research and development, innovation labs, training and skilling centers, and a modern data center.
“Kerala should be at the forefront of AI development in India,” organizers stated, adding that the proposed park aims to create high-value employment, promote innovation, and attract both domestic and international investment. The federation plans to collaborate with the Kerala state government, the central government, and venture capital partners over the coming year to bring this proposal to fruition.
The evening public session on January 2 will honor 16 distinguished individuals with the Global Malayalee Ratna Awards, recognizing excellence and lifetime contributions across various fields, including business, finance, engineering, science, technology, politics, literature, arts, culture, trade, and community service. Additionally, several other prominent Malayalees will receive special recognition for their personal achievements and sustained contributions to the global Malayalee community.
The festival is expected to attract attendance from Kerala and central ministers, opposition leaders, senior political figures, and special guests from abroad, particularly from the Gulf region, highlighting the growing global footprint of the Malayalee diaspora.
Abdullah Manjeri, Director and Managing Director of the Malayalee Festival Federation, emphasized that the organization’s core mission is the socio-economic development of Kerala by leveraging the expertise, experience, and resources of global Malayalees. “The Global Malayalee Festival is intended to build a lasting network of Malayalees across continents and actively connect them with Kerala’s development journey,” he said. Initiatives like the Wayanad AI and Data Center Park reflect the federation’s commitment to future-oriented growth.
The festival will conclude with a gala dinner and orchestra, merging cultural celebration with a renewed commitment to collaboration and innovation. With its unique blend of culture, commerce, technology, and recognition, the first Global Malayalee Festival is poised to become a recurring platform that not only celebrates Malayalee identity but also channels global expertise toward shaping Kerala’s future, according to Global Net News.