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| Malankara Dam's reservoir [in Kerala, a few km from my house] |
Kerala is quite different from the other states in India. The difference
is not just about literacy or economic development or health infrastructure.
There is much else that marks out Kerala as unique.
Kerala’s religious demography comes to mind first. According to the 2011
census, 55% of people in Kerala are Hindus, 27% are Muslims and 18% are
Christians. Yet Kerala is seen by a lot of Indians as a Christian state if only
because the state consistently opposed the kind of communal politics played by
the BJP. Even Mr Modi’s histrionics failed to move the Malayali hearts.
Mr Modi took his own revenge on the state too. Kerala was hit by severe
floods in 2018 and 2019. The Modi government pretended not to see the
devastation. Even the state government’s pleas for deserved assistance in a federal system fell on deaf ears. Let alone that, Mr Modi went to the extent
of denying the help that came from foreign nations. He was right to say that
India does not accept foreign aid as a policy. But he was immensely wrong in
refusing to extend the required assistance to the state in the direst times. And
Malayalis don’t forget; after all, the elephant is the state’s official animal.
When Mr Modi’s party and its thugs ravaged North India with the vehemence
of savage invaders in the name of the holy cow and its excreta, the Malayalis
filled the social media with trolls that carried the aroma of beef roast. When
Mr Modi and his party tried to impose Hindi and its culture on the whole of
India, the Malayalis learnt English and took up jobs abroad. Today the economy of
the state is held up largely by the money sent from abroad by Malayalis.
One look at the government hospitals in Kerala alone will convince
anyone from outside the state about the state’s difference from the rest of the
country. The government hospitals in the state are run with meticulous
efficiency and hygiene and they can compete with any private hospital. And they
provide absolutely free treatment to every patient irrespective of their economic
status.
Kerala leads in many ways without making much fuss about it. We don’t
spend millions of rupees advertising our achievements. We spend our money to do
something good for the people, especially the backward classes. You won’t find
any slum in Kerala. You won’t find visible poverty. The government cares for
the people. I don’t think there is any other state in the country which spends
a good bit of its revenue on migrant labourers, for their education as well
as physical welfare. There are about 35 lakh migrant workers in the state.
When COVID-19 hit the country, it was Kerala that showed the way. The
state imposed restrictions on people’s movement even before the country did.
The state told the people what to do and what not to. The state followed every
person who came from outside and quarantined everyone who was suspected of
infection. The state made free food available to all the people irrespective of
their economic status much before the country thought of doing the same.
That’s how Kerala is different. There’s a lot more to say. But I don’t
want to sound boastful. I wrote this in response to fellow blogger Anita’s
prompt for this week’s Indispire: What is that one thing you would like to share about your village,
city or state that many are not aware? Do you try to create awareness? #StateInfo
Very true, Sir. I had an opportunity of visiting Kerala in 2016, and I was mesmerized by everything there, from people to cleanliness. It is truly God's own country, and I like the points you have put up here, including the self-sustainable concepts of the state! Great write.
ReplyDeleteI have lived in many parts of India. I returned to kerala only in my old age. I'm happy I did.
DeleteProud to be a Keralite,
ReplyDeleteI too.
DeleteKey aspects that sets the state apart underscored in the article ...
ReplyDeleteKerala shows how everyone can be taken care of. If only the others learnt!
DeleteSame here sir. I've lived in different parts of country just came back to Kerala to settle down and I appreciate the Government of the state, its way of doing things differently. Proud to be a Keralite! Still there are many things I have to learn about the state. It's good to learn and appreciate this place in the eyes of a beginner !
ReplyDeleteI'm sure you'll like it in Kerala. The state has certain well-oiled systems and vigilant media, above all a politically aware people.
DeleteI m a traveler such blogs really inspire me to explore more places . I also have to mention the way you have described every little thing is very informative and clear. thank you so much for writing such blogs. i recently visited Chennai and check into great resort check out Green Meadows resort http://www.greenmeadowsresort.com/ waiting for more such blogs about Chennai
ReplyDeleteone day i shall come
ReplyDeleteWelcome
Delete