Kerala is more than just proof that even the poorest of societies can attain a decent standard of living: it also challenges the prevailing view that quality of life is best measured by per capita income.
In
recent years that orthodoxy has increasingly come under assault by a
group of economists and social scientists who would like to see the
narrow concept of economic development replaced with a broader notion of
social, or human, development. For this group -- the driving force
behind an annual Human Development Report published by the United Nations -- health, literacy, and freedom from discrimination are as necessary to a good life as is material wealth.
ONAM/The Righteous King Mahabali
Onam is the biggest and the most important festival of the state of Kerala.The festival falls during the Malayalam month of Chingam (Aug - Sep) and marks the commemoration of Vamana avatara of Vishnu and the subsequent homecoming of the mythical King Mahabali.
The story goes that the beautiful state of Kerala was the capital of the Asuras (those who do not drink alcohol)
King Bali.. The King was greatly respected in his kingdom and was
considered to be wise, judicious and extremely generous. It is said that
Kerala witnessed its golden era in the reign of King Bali. Everybody in
his kingdom was very happy, there was no discrimination on the basis of
caste or class. There was neither crime, nor corruption. People did not
even lock their doors, as there were no thieves in that kingdom. There
was no poverty, sorrow or disease in the reign of King Bali and
everybody was happy and content.
This in simple terms defines Human Development.
The
southernmost state of India, Kerala has awesome natural beauty
consisting of green palms, untouched beaches, meandering backwaters and
innumerable other charms. Because of this, Kerala is also known as ‘God’s Own Country’. According to a survey by economics research firm Indicus Analytics, five of the ten most livable cities in India are in Kerala.
Kerala
provides an empirical example to show how it is possible to achieve
both growth and improved income distribution through human development, a
United Nations working paper has said.
Human Development Index (HDI)
The
Human Development Index (HDI) is a statistical tool used to measure a
country's overall achievement in its social and economic dimensions. The
social and economic dimensions of a country are based on the health of
people, their level of education attainment and their standard of
living.(Courtesy Kavya Bhat)
Three indices are used to calculate it:
1.Life Expectancy Index (LEI)
2. Education Index (EI)
3. Income Index (II)
Education Index (EI)
- It is well known that literacy rate in Kerala is the highest in India and little below 100%.
- Since beginning education was made accessible to all rather than to few people of upper caste. Historically also Kerala was the center of Vedic learning. Women and non-Brahmins were also part of the education and learning system.
- Kerala has the highest female to male ratio i.e. 1084:1000 whereas the national figures stand at 940:1000. The state enjoys the highest female literacy rate.
- The Pallikkoodam, a school model started by Christian missionaries initiated by the then Archbishop of Verapoly, Bernardo (Giuseppe) Baccinelli, O.C.D., paved the way for an educational revolution in Kerala by making education accessible to all, irrespective of caste or religion. Christian missionaries introduced Western education methods to Kerala.
- Communities such as Ezhavas, Nairs and Dalits were guided by monastic orders (called ashrams) and Hindu saints and social reformers such as Sree Narayana Guru, Sree Chattampi Swamikal and Ayyankali, who exhorted them to educate themselves by starting their own schools. That resulted in numerous Sree Narayana schools and colleges, Nair Service Society schools. The teachings of these saints have also empowered the poor and backward classes to organize themselves and bargain for their rights.
- The Muslim Educational Society (MES) also made significant contributions to education. The Government of Kerala instituted the Aided School system to help schools with operating expenses such as salaries for running these schools.
Life Expectancy Index (LEI)
- Kerala is chosen by the UNICEF and World Health Organization (WHO) as the first state in the world to become a “baby-friendly” state.
- Population growth rate is the lowest in Kerala i.e. 3.44%. On the other hand Kerala has the Highest Development Index (HDI).
- One of the reasons why Kerala is so good in education and health is because the state started from better percentage post independence as compared to the rest of the India. At the time of independence literacy rate in Kerala was 47%, in India it was 18% and Maharashtra literacy rate was 28%. By 2011 the figures reached at 94, 74 and 83% making an overall gain of 47, 56 and 55%. This indicates an almost equal gain.
- Same is true for the health sector as the life expectancy at birth and infant mortality figures were not bad at the time of independence in Kerala. But credit of growth and sustenance surely goes to the Kerala.
Income Index (II)
- Landlord exploitation and tenancy was abolished by implementing Land Reform ordinance. Rice on subsidize rate was given to low-income households. Because of this Kerala has a low Hunger index score (17.66) and comes after Punjab. India’s Hunger index score is 23.31.
- Also the history of Kerala in terms of trade is quite enthralling. Trade with the outside world was done through Kerala even before British rule in India. Even today the export of agriculture good is given due importance and boost.
GOVERNMENT’s ROLE
- A survey in 2005 by Transparency International ranked it as the least corrupt state in the country.
- By keeping the growth in mind a case study was conducted by the Centre for Development Studies at Thiruvananthapuram with the help of United Nations. Results and recommendations are known as the Kerala Model.
- The Kerala Model has been developed by keeping in mind the achievements of Kerala in different fields such as living conditions, and other social indicators like low infant mortality rate, low population growth rate, high rate of literacy and life expectancy. Along with achievements, factors leading to the success, wealth and resource redistribution programmes and political participation are also part of the Kerala Model.
- All across the state there are primary health centres that resulted in the high standard health care system. Pregnant women and new mothers get support through a state-supported nutrition programme. ‘Kerala Community Model’ in healthcare is greatly applauded by “the Economist”. Kerala Government provides funds to the community-based care programmes.
- Kind of government Kerala had over a period of time has helped the state to grow further. Right and Left wing got elected alternatively and resulted in the growth of the state and spreading political awareness.
HISTORY
Hinduism - 54.74%
Christianity - 18.38 %
Islam -26.56 %
Both Christianity and Islam reached Kerala long before rest of India. Christianity have been in Kerala for over 2000 years is the third-most practiced religion in Kerala, accounting for 18% of the population. Saint Thomas, one of the 12 disciples of Jesus at the ancient seaport Muziris on the Kerala coast in AD 57 ie 2000 years back. The first church in India is St. Thomas Syro-Malabar Catholic Church, Palayur located at Palayur (also spelt Palayoor), in Thrissur district in Kerala on the west coast of India. According to tradition, it was established in by St Thomas.
Islam arrived in Kerala through Arab traders during the time of prophet Muhammad(AD
609 - AD 632)ie around 1500 years ago. Kerala has a very ancient
relation with the middle east even during the Pre-Islamic period. The first Indian mosque, Cheraman Juma Masjid, is thought to have been built in 629 AD by Malik Bin Deenar mosque in Methala, Kodungallur Taluk, Thrissur District in the Indian state of Kerala..
CONCLUSION
Kerala
is the only State in the country which remains in the ‘very high human
development index (HDI)’ with respect to all the three dimensions, both
with and without adjustment for inequality. In the success of Kerala, it
is not just the nature and its strategic location but education especially female education, massive spending on health sector, export and economic growth play a crucial role.
Reference
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