THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Union Minister of State for Minority Affairs John Barla has said that the Central governemnt is willing to assist Kerala in improving the lives of minority communities if the state government makes appropriate proposals.

"The Kerala government should collaborate with the Central government to raise awareness about Central schemes among minority communities in the state, as there are various programmes for them," he said after meeting with Cardinal Mar Baselios Cleemis and other Christian leaders in Thiruvananthapuram.

"There are a few initiatives available to students from minority populations that provide interest subsidies on educational loans for abroad study, and they should take advantage of them," he added. Barla further stated that the Christian community has made significant contributions to the nation's development and has made numerous sacrifices in the country's education.

Kerala has a Hindu population of 54 percent, followed by a Muslim population of 26 percent, and a Christian community of 18 percent of the state's population of 3.30 crore.

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