Nava Kerala Sadas

Government of Kerala

Mukhamukham 2024: Shaping New Kerala Through Direct Democracy

A Historic Public Engagement Initiative

The Mukhamukham (Face-to-Face) Program with Hon'ble Chief Minister of Kerala, conducted from February 18 to March 3, 2024, marked a groundbreaking chapter in Kerala's governance by bridging the gap between policymakers and citizens. As the next phase of the Nava Kerala Sadass, this statewide campaign:

  • Engaged 250,000+ citizens across 10 thematic forums.
  • Included marginalised communities.
  • Collected 20,000+ written suggestions for inclusive policy making.

"When governance listens, democracy thrives."

Program Highlights
1. Unprecedented Public Participation
  • Direct Interactions: 600+ citizens across sectors shared ideas in hour-long sessions.
  • Thematic Forums:
    • Students: Roadmap for free creative learning & research opportunities
    • Youth: Shaping a knowledge-driven economy.
    • Women: Feminist policies for gender justice.
    • Tribal/Dalit Communities: Roadmap for social equity.
    • Farmers: Revitalizing agriculture as a livelihood.
    • Cultural Activists: Countering cultural fascism through art.
    • Differently abled: Policy framework for disability-inclusive infrastructure
    • Senior Citizens: Enhanced elderly care & social security measures
    • Labour Workers: Protections for unorganized sector workers
    • Residents Association: First-ever direct CM dialogue on local governance
2. Key Outcomes
  • Education: New policies for student innovation hubs
  • Accessibility: Mandatory disability-friendly urban planning
  • Elder Care: "Evening Life Mission" against senior isolation
  • Labor Rights: Wage protection systems for informal workers
  • Local Governance: Resident-led municipal reforms
3. Democratic Legacy
  • First-ever direct dialogue between Residents' Associations and the CM (Kochi).
  • Bottom-Up Governance: Policies now reflect grassroots voices rather than top-down mandates.
By the Numbers

250,000+

Participants

600+

Direct Interactions

20,000+

Written Suggestions

10+

Themes Covered

Schedule
Date Program Venue
18.02.2024 Discussion with Students Malabar Christian College ground, Kozhikode
20.02.2024 Discussion with Youth Uday Palace, Convention Centre Kowdiar
22.02.2024 Discussion with Women CIAL, Convention Centre Ernakulam
24.02.2024 Discussion with Adivasi & Dalith Dinesh Auditorium, Kannur
25.02.2024 Discussion with Cultural Activists Lulu Convention Centre, Puzhakkal
26.02.2024 Discussion with differently abled RDR Convention Centre, Thiruvananthapuram
27.02.2024 Discussion with Senior Citizens Sankaran Narayanan Thambi Hall, Niyamasabha
29.02.2024 Discussion with Labour Sector Yunis Convention Centre, Kollam
02.03.2024 Discussion with Agricultural Sector Camilot Convention Centre, Alappuzha
03.03.2024 Discussion with Residents Association Rajeev Gandhi Indoor Stadium, Kadavathra
Next Steps
  • Policy Integration: Suggestions forwarded to relevant departments for codification.
  • Institutionalizing Dialogue: Quarterly forums proposed to sustain engagement.
Why Mukhamukham Mattered

This program reaffirmed Kerala's commitment to:

Participatory Democracy

Every voice shaped policies.

Social Justice

Marginalized groups set the agenda.

Transparent Governance

Public feedback = Public action