The zonal empowerment camps for the year 2017 were held at Mar Gregorios Renewal Camp, Nalanchira, Trivandrum on 5 & 6 August 2017, Sreepuram English Medium School, Kannur on 12 & 13 of August 2017 and Santhigiri Ashram, Aluva on 19 & 20 of August 2017
The south zone camp was inaugurated by Dr. Babu Paul IAS (Retd), Former Chief Secretary, Govt of Kerala. Dr. Divya S Iyer IAS, Sub Collector, Trivandrum District launched HOPE PLUS project for southern districts.
Shri P Vijayan IPS (Inspector General of Police, Kochi Range) inaugurated the Central zone camp and launched HOPE PLUS project for the central districts.
The North zone camp was inaugurated by Shri M Mukundan, writer, and social activist. HOPE PLUS project for northern districts was formally launched by Shri M Ramachandran, Deputy Registrar Kannur University.
Eminent personalities shared their thoughts and experiences with HOPE beneficiaries: Dr Babu Paul IAS (Former Chief Secretary, Govt of Kerala), Shri Kochuseph Chittilapilly (Founder, V-Guard Industries), Dr Divya S Iyer IAS (Sub-Collector, Trivandrum), Dr Kuncheria P Isaac (Vice Chancellor, APJ Abdul Kalam Technological University), Dr Sheela S, Dr V Gopakumar (Former Principals, College of Engineering Trivandrum) and Mr Reghu G IAS, District Collector, Kendrapada District, Orissa Mr. Anil Kumar P Warrier (Vice President Marketing, India Cements), Mr. Bobby John (Asst. General Manager, India Cements), Dr Jayasankar Prasad (Director, Centre for Free and Open Source Software (ICFOSS)
The empowerment sessions and workshop on personality development, communication, career guidance, art & craft, IT skills, etc. were handled by Shri C Gouridasan Nair (The Bureau Chief, The Hindu), Shri Madhupal (Film Director and Actor), Psy. Vipin V Roldant (Chief Consultant Psychologist, Sunrise Hospital Kochi), Dr Prakash, Artist P V Krishnan, Yoga Shiromani Jayaprakash, Smt. Vimala Menon (Cheshire Homes), Prof. P Vijayachandran, Smt. Rupa Nair (Psychologist), Shri Vibhu Pirappancode (Poet), Mr. Dineshan Thekkumad (Science Teacher) Mr. Udayan Kundamkuzhi (Film Director), Unnikrishnan Neelamana (Communication Skill Expert), Mr. K C Majeed (Career Guidance Expert), Prof. Sunita Joseph (Counselor), Mr. Balachandran Kottodi (Social Worker), Mr. Manu Jose (Actor, Storyteller & Trainer), Shri Hari, Mr. M K Deepak, Mr. V K Krishna Kumar, Mr. Benny Kurian, Mr. Cijo P Jacob, Mr. Jinse Sunny, Mr. Santhosh Babu (Professional trainers)
