The enterprising young Nivedith is an idealist at heart and it shows in the tremendous thought towards all his projects. The St Stephen’s alumni is an itinerant traveller who takes time off his busy schedule to explore, India and the globe and his work in the coastal areas also gives him a chance to taste local cuisine. Music is another favourite of his.
He’s a third-generation politician who treads the governmental path with a solid intention — to roll up his sleeves, get to work and change the lives of those in need. Meet Nivedith Alva, General Secretary of KPCC and former Chairman of Karnataka’s Coastal Development Authority who’s worked untiringly to make a difference to the local community. Son of Congress leader Margaret Alva, Nivedith made it his mission to bridge the gaps in development when he took over as Chairman of the CDA.
“Nobody ever said I should go into politics, but I genuinely believed that if we were educated in the best institutions and have seen the world, then we must come back and get involved in the system. If not, then we have no right to crib about it. Having seen the system from inside for many years, I understood that if you want to bring about change, you have to be a part of it,” says Nivedith, who has an MA in TV Journalism from the University of London.
Having travelled to almost every state in India, the erudite man got a taste of reality when he witnessed rural areas in dire need of development. “When I became the Coastal Development Chairman, it was a dead organisation. I requested the Government to give us funds and when any issue came to my attention, I’d not approve the project without a personal site visit,” he sates, adding, “Government money is not your personal money, it needs to be spent on the right causes.”
The social side
In coastal areas like Uttara Kannada and Dakshina Kannada, monsoons can often turn nightmarish and that’s where Nivedith encountered numerous stories of people in need of proper infrastructure. “Development doesn’t always have to be a 100-crore project, even five lakh rupees can make a difference.In Honnavar, we built a suspension bridge for 2.5 crore, which directly affects 20,000 people on a daily basis,” he shares. The young lad has also sanctioned Mangalore’s first skywalk, but it’s the fish market project that’s extremely close to his heart. “Across the markets, you can see fisherwomen sitting in the sun, braving all sorts of conditions. We built modern fish markets so that they could sit inside, have toilets and a rest area,” he reveals the foodie who loves indulging in all kinds of cuisines, local and international.
The future is bright
Despite the fact that his term is over, the fervent do-gooder still ensures that he works for coastal areas and gets in touch with MPs, MLAs and ministers to garner funds. “I’ve digressed a bit and I’m doing work in Uttara Kannada. I got 487 homes sanctioned for poor people, we’re getting more foot bridges, Anganwadi buildings, playgrounds for children etc. It was amazing to see over 300 kids in Karkala enjoying at the park - this is something we city people take for granted,” he smiles.
As for the presence of young blood in politics, he opines, “Youngsters should bring a modern outlook, look beyond caste and creed and the thought that only money and muscle power matter in politics. They should genuinely connect with people and look for simple solutions to complex issues.”
