Thiruvananthapuram: Chief Secretary P.J. Thomas has stressed the need for enhanced awareness of Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs) and their potential in preserving the rich traditions of the State in various sectors.

Delivering the inaugural address at a seminar organised by the Kerala State Council for Science, Technology and Environment (KSCSTE) and the Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) at the Institute of Management in Government (IMG) here, he highlighted the traditions that had contributed to the growth of the intellectual property rights of Kerala.

“Centuries before Vasco da Gama reached India, traditional craftsmen in Malabar had developed seagoing vessels named ‘uru’ to establish trade links with Arab countries. Foreigners still come here to study the technical expertise in the manufacture of these sailing vessels. Kerala’s great culinary culture is another great tradition that has been handed down through generations. The achievements of the State in the IT sector also demonstrate our ability to think and adapt,” he said

Mr. Thomas called for a coordinated effort to preserve indigenous knowledge systems. M. Rajesh, Regional Director, IGNOU, presided over the function. V.P. Balagangadharan, Head, Technology Transfer Division, VSSC; Binuja Thomas, Scientific Officer, KSCSTE; S.P. Subramaniyan, Assistant Controller of Patents and Designs, Patent Office, Chennai; S. Rajasekharan, Senior Scientist, Tropical Botanic Garden and Research Institute (TBGRI); Ajith Prabhu, Principal Scientific Officer, KSCSTE; P.S. Sreekumar, coordinator, IGNOU Study Centre; and Mathew Jose, Secretary, IMG, were present. Speakers highlighted the important aspects of drafting and filing patents.