Communist-Led Kerala State Thanks Metro Workers with Grand Meal

The port city of Kochi in southern India's progressive Kerala state thanked nearly 800 migrant workers for their labor in the newly constructed metro rail with a grand traditional Kerala-style feast called, "sadhya" — a banquet served on banana leaves, ahead of the June 17 inauguration of the Kochi Metro.

RELATED:
Indian Train Network Employs Trans People for the 1st Time

The feast was followed by cultural programs and performances. The workers also jotted their names down on a message board in solidarity and thank the Kochi Metro Rail Limited.

The Kerala state is run by the Communist Party of India-Marxist and leads the way in progressive measures.

On its Facebook page, KMRL wrote, “It has been a long journey for the whole team of Kochi Metro Rail Limited, and we would like to bow to all our fellow laborers and other workers for doing their part in making our Kochi’s dream a reality."

Kerala is the only state in India that has also included for the first time 23 transgender women to work for the metro service in the city of Kochi, an initiative aimed at fighting discrimination.

The new metro service will improve the transportation system of Kochi and help ease the congested routes. The 8-mile-long Aluva-Palarivattom section will be inaugurated by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi Saturday.