THE 'SAVE KERALA' INITIATIVE

THE 'SAVE KERALA' INITIATIVE

Monday, October 06, 2008

State Number 1? Who are we fooling?

Picture this. A city in Kerala boasts of the first shopping mall in India, long before mall-mania caught up even in metros. But decades later, while every other city and town has opened up to the idea of providing better service, more choices, and higher quality products to its consumers, Kerala painfully lags behind, despite its initial headstart. Sometimes I feel that malayalis have failed to understand the meaning of "service". This lag pans across almost all the sectors and indices one can think of, be it healthcare, womens empowerment, education, agriculture, and pretty much every positive indicator of progress and development.

Ofcourse, one could argue and list out the number of new "shopping malls" that have come up in Thrissur or Trivandrum. A new "mall" that opens in Kerala, just for example, will inevitably have an "Ammus Fancy Store", a "Pretty Ladies Center", and a "Shanthi Bakery". Add to it a "Kailas IT and Communications Center" which sells mobile recharge cards and provides photostat services, and "Sheetal Multicuisine Restaurant" which will have chicken fried rice and chilly chicken in the menu.

Alright, now thats a wee bit of an exaggeration (just a little bit of humor, so the sensitive ones out there, please dont take it to heart) but the point is, despite headstarts and huge "first" advantages, we have literally fallen back on almost all fronts and stagnated. As citizens, we seldom have choice and continue to be stuck with whatever is thrust upon us. And without the power of choice, we can never call ourselves empowered or progressive.

The most classical example is of the Technopark in Trivandrum, which was claimedly India's first IT park, started in 1994. But 14 years later, how far behind other states are we in terms of generating IT jobs and revenues? (Its great to see that finally we are picking up pace and increasing our IT exports. But vultures in the form of politicians and unions are ominously waiting to fleece the industry and ruin the new-found pace.)

Or take the example of Tourism. While Kerala Tourism has done exceedingly well and created a real good avenue for catapulting our state in the international tourists map (we almost made it), I can sense a decline over the last couple of years. Its partly due to lack of infrastructure keeping pace, and partly due to the attitude of the people. I have seen how harassed tourists are in Kerala. Whether it is by professional beggars or touts selling "collections", or auto/taxi walas trying to fleece them, or punks trying to tease the women, or the infamous year-long hartal festivities, it all adds up.

Last week at the Cochin airport I could see a airport security person really tormenting a foreigner couple, shouting in Hindi at him to keep his cellphone in the bag for Xray screening, while the couple were helplessly fumbling not knowing what to do. The other officers and officials at the airport, most of them malayalis, just giggled and stood watching. I spoke to the couple and they were all praises about the wonderful state that we have. But they also mentioned how a few of the people can really cast a negative shadow on the overall great experience and beautiful state that we have. They also mentioned how disorganized the tourism experience in the state is, despite its huge publicity and hype, allowing only seasoned travellers manage without getting harassed.

Questions for our politicians: Apart from fleecing and milking any entrepreneur or industry that does well, what has the government done to help our people progress? As soon as tourism started to develop and private players started making progress, the political buffoons have interfered and ensured that they get a large piece of the pie (all in the name of the poor, but what did they really get?). Its the same with healthcare or higher education. 75% of the healthcare in Kerala is provided by private hospitals, but apart from fleecing the hospitals in the name of various taxes and regulations, the government has done nothing concrete or sufficient to promote healthcare on its own. Similarly for higher education, instead of ensuring that the private players maintain a standard, our politicians were only interested in making sure that their parties and leaders get their coffers filled. In the process, they have made sure that the sector has been ruined.

Questions we should ask ourselves: Isnt it time we felt a bit ashamed of electing such inefficient people, year after year? How has our much-acclaimed 100% literacy, best in India health indices, best in India education indices, and other ratings that we rant about at the drop of a hat, helped us as a state? Have we really been able to take advantage of them or made any genuine progress since then? Or for the least, have we, as a community, been able to refine our behaviour and attitude? We are failing to provide a good environment and congenial atmosphere even to our own children, and they are left with no choice but to go elsewhere to learn or earn a living comfortably, and live a better life. And worst, we have now begun to see them, quite easily, as a separate group who dont belong to us. Now, that is a very ominous trend.

80 comments:

scorpiogenius said...

Hello MC, not many times I've to disagree with the main point raised here, but I believe you got it wrong here about Tourism. Kerala has been registering positive growth in the foreign national arrivals for the past few yrs, and to the best of my knowledge the trend is continuing.

And if there is any fall in the growth rate, then the cause is mainly not r/t Kerala. The westerners decline from travelling to Kerala if there is a bomb blast in Delhi or a riot is ongoing in Gujarat.

A good % of those who arrive in Kerala will choose to come back, a very healthy sign. Yeah I agree with the behavioural and attitude problems of SOME OF our mates, but I feel the general climate is good in our state.

And about State No: 1, I think we can confidently raise claim. Do you have a different choice? :))

Anonymous said...

We are basically uncivilised. We get the leaders we deserve.

We are cowards that cower at Bandh-ers' stares. And when we know that the other person being civilised, would not bully us, we are brash bullies with him.

We never blame ourselves. Others are always the uncultured.

We have a Home Minster who declared that he would make bombs inside Police Stations. Had such a person become an MLA in Bihar or so, Mallu journalists of the English media would have shouted hoarse about criminal MLAs of the North. In Kerala, we have no complaint as allegation after allegation comes up against him, because we are afraid!

We went to Bihar and Orissa to steal from foreign funds. And we got a lot of innocent tribals raped and killed there. We relax in the leisure of nunneries and seminaries and fill Internet sites with anti-India propaganda exploiting the plight of the tribals [- each Internet posting is used for more donations]. We publicise the rape of a nun because she is also a tribal and not a Mallu. The Mallu priest orgasmically describes in detail how he had also been invited to 'know' the nun; but had chivalrously refused. We ignore the Abhayas and Anupas.

Look into yourself. Are you not less of a human than those whom you criticise?

MC said...

@ scorpiogenius - when i wrote the post, i was also certain that my points are debatable and certainly not general. yet i posted my thoughts to bring up certain important issues. first is about the lack of choice we have (whether as consumers or as citizens). secondly about how little acts of goodness from each one of us can go a long way in creating goodwill. third, about how our politicians are fooling our people - this is the biggest message. behind a veil of socialism and equality, they are just routing all the good developments, and fleecing every single industry that comes up in kerala. instead of creating a good environment for growth, they are just doing the opposite - this is true even in the case of tourism and education.

@ anonymous - exactly. its quite obvious thats its not just the average malayali that has to change his or her attitude and mindset, but even us bloggers.

Anonymous said...

ah..Esplanade.. that was the name of Cochin's first mall... at later times, when i visited it looked like there was a plague..

silverine said...

"Isnt it time we felt a bit ashamed of electing such inefficient people, year after year?"

From what I have observed, the politicians in Kerala have used the "divide ideologically and rule" policy very successfully. Political parties in Kerala are like football clubs with large following and the subsequent rivalry leads to some rabid loyalties and enmities. Party comes before self and the party's victory is like a personal victory. Communism is the opiate of the masses here, though none of the commie party follow any of the true principles of communism. Same with the Congress. ( Perhaps the two get together secretly for a drink and toast the stupid people who follow them) So I don't see any change in voting pattern unless the common man starts asking "whats in it for me if I vote for you?" Any awareness campaign for the people as discussed in your last post should address this issue.

You mail convinced me doc, so am commenting. If this attracts any ugliness here then I apologize in advance.

Ajith said...

MC, I put a comment in ur previous blog. didnt realise that u have advised eveyone that the comments are closed. Hope u take this one as an excemption...sorry for being late...

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PCM said...

MC,
The post is thought provoking. It is not the average Malayali that is at fault. There is a small percentage of the people who make a living through Politics. The rest comprise of who do not vote (as evident from the number of votes polled) and those who vote unwillingly. They have no choice but to select one of the two thugs. A change from LDF to UDF and vice versa is effected by the difference of just 2-3% of votes. It is always the militants who dictate.
Regarding Shopping Malls, I believe that the politicians have a hidden agenda. They support the Merchants Association because the members can be fleeced individually for party funds during elections and party meetings at different levels. The malls are few and far between, and they perhaps don’t give donations to local leaders. They come up here and there with the blessings of political bigwigs and are superficially attacked by the youth wings.
How the individual shop owners bleed the ordinary people is a different story. But, the group that targets Shopping Malls have nothing against the Neethi, Maveli and Labham Stores and the Festival Markets run by the Government and the Margin-free Markets that spring up everywhere. The former director of Civil Supplies Department is undergoing enquiry for corruption involving crores of Rupees. The Food Minister of the previous Government is also charged with corruption. These government-run-shows are another means of looting at higher levels. The losses suffered after each festival can be written off, to whoever’s pocket it goes.
The point to ponder is, why don’t the Merchants Association speak a word against these set-ups that wreck their business? Why are the agitations against Shopping Malls alone?

Anonymous said...

Bingo..this post pretty much sums up exactly why Kerala has its share of issues. Without well developed industry sectors, there wont be any pressure on politicians from businesses and citizens to upgrade infrastructure or shape policy positively. I am certain that if by some miracle unionization went away and industry were given a fighting chance to develop in Kerala (industries other than the innate tourism industry - that industry is god given); infrastructure and development will take a positive step forward in a big way. All these people who defend Kerala by hiding behind rationalizations and stats have got it wrong - just because a state excels at certain metrics does not make it immune to criticism.

Ajith said...

Dear bloggers,

Thank you for letting us know that kerala is the worst state ever, and mallus (who are inside the state)are the most egoistic people in the world. Thank god I m outside the state.
I seriously dont think anyone here has the expertise to match Price water coopers in measuring the socio economic demographies of states. Please read this

http://www.outlookindia.com/full.asp?fodname=20081006&fname=Diamond+States+(F)&sid=1&pn=1

Hope people will not come up the argument that the corrupt politicians in kerala bribed PWC :)

Anonymous said...

"Home Minister Kodiyeri Balakrishnan told Kerala’s legislative assembly that the IT sector would create 100,000 new jobs in the state in the next three years. For this we have appointed PricewaterhouseCoopers as the consulting agency to prepare a roadmap,” said Balakrishnan."

Interesting! I work with firms like FS, E&Y and PWC and we pay them regularly to write what we want. No big deal!

Anonymous said...

Yes, Keraka tourism is not doing well for the last couple of years. There are reasons for it. Chikun Guinea gave lots of bad publicity. Hartals did not help. Airfares going up is a major factor especially since we are poorly connected and far away. And now the ecominic slow down. I don't think tourists are not coming to Kerala because of the attitude of Keralites. I happen to be in a profession where I get to meet lot of tourists who visit Kerala. I will have to say that I have heard many times tourists say that they have never seen more similing faces anywhere else. You just take a houseboat along with a tourist and go around Kuttanad. 90 out of 100 people you see will wave at you or at least smile. Like in any society, there are people who are rude and out to fleece tourists etc. Paris is the number 1 or 2 tourist destination in the world. You don't see many Parisians being helpful or even smile towards tourists. So, lets not assume that Kerala tourism is not doing well because Malayalees or not smiling or are rude to visitors.

MC said...

@ manuscrypts - i also remember esplanade so well. i did think that it will bring a refreshing change to the shopping experience in kerala. but sadly it didnt last.

@ silverine - Perhaps the two get together secretly for a drink and toast the stupid people who follow them
i am sure that is the case. the politicians have a common enemy - the people.

@ ajith - not a problem. but i have deleted all comments subsequent to my note since they were getting pointless and trashy - true doggy style.

@ pcm - very good points sir, especially about the 2-3% who dont vote - thats totally pathetic. i remember last election how some of the techies working in an IT park in kerala went on record how they were not bothered about who gets elected. i wish that changes and the educated youth takes more responsible decisions.

@ arun - i dont know how many more years it will take for the working class and labourers to realize that unions dont help them, but only their leaders who pretend to work for them. a very important step for kerala will be to limit politics and not to let it interfere with every sphere of our life.

@ ajith - this was discussed in our earlier post.

@ biju - i have always believed that generally all these firms are reputed - although not sure about what happens when they get indianised and get thrown among our wolves. "every country has corruption within the system, but only india has a system for corruption"

MC said...

@ anonymous - fair point. the mention of bad behavior was just an example. the main thought was about the governments role in promoting tourism and how far we have been able to capitalize on the advantage and resources Kerala has.

Ajith said...

I didnt Know tht PWC has such a bad reputation. I was wondering, why the big states with loads of foreign money bribe PWC to give them a better rating ....

Anonymous said...

@ ajith, No point in arguing with the posers in this blog.If there is anything good about kerala, then its not because of malayalees or the progressive politicians (mostly communists) or because of the literacy rate or in other words it has got nothing to do with kerala.

Now PWC has been bribed, hahhahah....good joke. PWC was only echoing what the other establishments have been knowing for long about the supremacy of kerala in social development indicators. Too many conspiracy theorists aroind in this blog...

Even if George Bush comes down personally to say anything good abt kerala, may be these bloggers would deny that anything ever is good about kerala at all.

But at the same time you have so many of them to find fault with kerala and its people, blame the whole lot of keralites for the actions of a few anti-socials. Never mind, such anti socials are available in abundance in north and west india.

May be what kind of impression do we generate for those outsiders who happen to read this wretched blog and its contents???? There is no worse enemy to keralites than mallus.(???)

I love kerala, more than anyother land.....would the so called crusaders (hahahah) ever be able to say this???

Sandhya Vijayakumar.

MC said...

@ ajith and sandhya - the whole point is that if we sit back on these so called social development supremacy indicators, we will not last for long. we are going down the worst on these very indicators. the accuracy and legitimacy of the indices may or may not be debatable - i would say it really doesnt matter. we are just comparing ourselves with a poorer performer and saying we are better off. is that enough? thats not real progress. or maybe its better to say, that much progress is not enough considering the resources we have.

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Anonymous said...

Happy to see the moderation. If people don't like whats written here they do have a choice of not reading it. I guess it has become fashionable to be seen at DOC now! Now how many Kerala blogs can boast of that? Way to go DOC!

Anonymous said...

The best way to moderate is by identifying people who just comment on the comments written by others rather than giving their opinion regarding the blog.

Annemarie said...
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Anonymous said...

Very nice to see discussion happened on the 'state of kerala'.
Finds many comments deleted by the the administrator. Could you please think of maintaining the comments with bad words edited out.
Otherwise we tend to beleive that you edited out everything opposing your views.
Keep it up. But please let other's words also to be seen in this blog.
request you to restore deleted comments.

Naz

Anonymous said...

Availability of modern goods in the market definitely shows the consumption level and living standard a society. But big shopping malls need not be an indicator for this. Majority of the space in shopping malls are filled with fashionable goods – garments etc. Specific shops like retail outlets of big brands (Sony, Philips, HP, Dell, Titan, Timex etc etc) , specific domain shops like camera shops , laptop shops, mobile shops are also important.
In case of specific shops, cities of Kerala are not lagging behind similar cities in India. You cannot compare Cochin with metros like Bangalore. Kerala society never had an aim to transform Cochin into a metro like Bnagalore.

Malls are very difficult to popup and survive in towns and cities here due to the availability of cheap real estate , lack of monopoly in retail sector and malayali’s brand specific approach - go to vendor of specific brand to buy a product.

Towns of Kerala stand much better to other towns in the country in the availability of better and diverse products. Traditionally malayalis are concerned about the brand of the products they buy. Brand awareness is almost total in Kerala even down to the villages. Good new brands are readily accepted in Kerala, though slowly.


Whatever be the scenario you draw for us about the ‘choices, and higher quality products to its consumers’ , you cannot generalize that to ‘healthcare, womens empowerment, education, agriculture, and pretty much every positive indicator of progress and development’.

These are serious issues which should be discussed based on deep analysis and valid statistics. I personally believe agriculture is a unique strength we have due to the specific climatic conditions, diversity of landscape and land ownership pattern which provides flexibility to adapt to new methods and crops quickly. Big problems exists – they are diverse in specifics. No scope for loose talk. 

Kerala is different civilization, which does not suite to any readily available model. I believe our problem is in our thoughts about us –some think we should like United States, some others think we can flourish like China (Socialist China ???), some think we should be an anarchic utopia with absolute environment protection with minimal production and consumption, some wants us to follow Modi’s Gujarath, and some wants us to follow Lula’s Brazil. All these views are pushed upon us in undemocratic way, when we are busy with mimics parade, reality shows and cricket matches. Unfortunately this Blog just echos above views imposed upon us.

We should start watching our society and find out its specifics and uniqueness – Ours is not civilization which is tuned and manipulated (like the in US tuned to finance capital thru cheap credit) , ours is a civilization which grows naturally and with organic links with the rest of India and world.

Naz

Ajith said...

@NAZ - Well said mate. The uniqueness of kerala and its society may have confused people here.

MC always post opposing comments in his blog. The ones which were moderated has nothing to do with the topic of the blog. Me and Phoneix were just chatting and I thank MC for ensuring our privacy by deleting those.:)

scorpiogenius said...

What happened here MC? I find it unusual and strange that many comments have been removed...Too many, to understand... I didnt feel people were getting too personal for comfort here.

Any change in rules abroad DoC? :wink:

Rakesh Vanamali said...

Thanks to the leftists! Kerala and God's own country have become antonyms!

I guess ..... God's own country, Devil's own people!

Cheers!

Rakesh
http://almostsunday.blogspot.com

MC said...

@ naz and ajith - yes, its the uniqueness of kerala and its people that we are discussing here. surely it does get confusing at times. with brand conscious malayalis, malls should have done very well in kerala i thought? anyway thats just a small part of the overall growth. there are larger issues like what i said before: ‘healthcare, womens empowerment, education, agriculture, and pretty much every positive indicator of progress and development’ - we are definitely seeing a downward trend across these and its alarming.

i dont think kerala society had any particular "aim" for development and progress.

ours is a civilization which grows naturally and with organic links with the rest of India and world.
i really dont know what that means or what you meant, but it sounds funny. in any case, i personally think that the state of our beloved kerala today is pathetic in several senses. and its largely due to the deep level of politicization. given our natural and socio-cultural resources, we should have been so so far ahead today. unfortunately, we are not. thats the bottomline.

i hope this blog starts attracting more thinkers and people from power and people who are in positions to change policies for the better. perhaps kindling or rekindling their passion for the state and progress will be a start.

@ scorpiogenius - no change in the blog/comment rules. as always, we dont encourage personal attacks and foul language.

Ajith said...

@MC - I am sure you started this blog with a gud intention. But I am note sure if 'people in power' will read this and change policies. On the other hand I am 100% sure that the investors (especially in IT sector)will read this blog as they do their research in internet before taking crucial decisions like opening up new sites. Do you think they will come to kerala if they read DOC and Kerala Tips?

KT have a specific agenda of creating a bad image of the state. each and every blog there is aimed at creating panic among investors who wish to move to kerala, which gives an impression that KT is backed by other states and acting on their behalf. Anyways Why do other states need a media campaign against kerala when its own people are doing it so beautifully:)

By portraying a bad image, we are not saving kerala because it will not have any impact as politicians are not going to read this blog. However we are unknowingly assisting other states by scaring investors who wish to move to kerala.

Appreciate your thoughts on this.

MC said...

@ ajith - if you think global investors are going to turn away from kerala by reading this blog, yet the people of kerala (in power or the public) will never change, what does it say about kerala?

weighing the advantages and disadvantages, i see a definite value for this blog. unless we see changes in reality, there is absolutely no use in hiding or covering up. most people know very well about kerala and have had their share of experiences - good or bad.

i dont think the intention is to portray a bad image, but to expose the flaws so that there is awareness now and later, hopefully, action.

Ajith said...

@MC - The point here is every state has its own share of good and bad. But this blog only shows the bad part of it. Their lies the problem. Can you confidently say that you haven't influenced the decision of any investors. You have got 125000 hits mate. Internet is a free medium anyone can express their views. But there is no point in going on criticizing completely forgetting the positive elements. Or has kerala gone so 'pathetic' that there is nothing good about kerala and mallus.

MC said...

@ ajith - yes this blog has a bigger focus on the negatives as of now simply because they outweigh the positive aspects to a great extent, and also for the growth of the state and its people, we certainly need to address them.

i am sure only people interested in kerala or keralites make up the majority of this blogs audience.

last week, at an international airport outside india, i heard 4 foreigners talking about kerala. they were planning to visit kerala - their 3rd time in 12 years. but they were discussing how ineffective the system in kerala is and how unemployment is such a big issue - and more importantly nothing was addressed by the government. they were also saying how kerala has remained relatively stagnant over the last couple of decades, whereas it could have progressed so much more than the gulf region, where all our resources were getting drained. more on this in my next post.

i think its probably better that keralites hear all these eye-opening truths from this blog than from foreigners. and if there are problems, its logical to address them in a timely manner than focusing on something else, and letting it get out of hand.

PCM said...

@MC
What Kerala can be proud of at this stage is its lack of development.Far and away from the din and bustle of modern cities, Kerala still maintains some of its old beauties like the backwaters, the hill stations and greenery all around. It is this that the foreign tourists come to see and not the concrete jungles that are coming up everywhere. Lack of proper roads, rising unemployment, absence of a proper development plan, protests in the form of bundhs and hartals, and above all, a lackdaisical attitude preserve some of the old glory that Kerala could be proud of. Since the Keralites have nothing much to lose because of global recession, let us be happy about the present plight.
Let us live the life of those who boast about their ancient tradition and family status, though they do not have the resources to eat a full meal at least once in a month.

Anonymous said...

In 5 years, 40% of people living in Kerala would be non-Mallus. It might at best, be another Mumbai.

We ought to plan for such situation , from now.

Ajith said...

@MC

'People interested in Kerala' - can be investers who wants in invest in kerala. So are we doing any good to the state? You are blocking them in the initial screening itself. (They will definitely get a positive view if they visit places like technopark and how it has been functioning over the years.)

Whom are we comparing kerala with - other states in India? answer is crystal clear, as we have stats to prove it. Or are we comparing it with west (Its a honor, considering we are still in a third world country!)

Its surprising that you found NAZ's comments funny. It is the most relevant point in current scenario as financial markets across the globe are tumbling down. As he rightly put, we are looking at 'manipulated societies' and the economy is reacting to their aggressive growth strategies which resulted in inflation across the globe.

The Common Man | പ്രാരബ്ധം said...

MC,

I wholehearedly support the spirit in which you have started this blog, but I am really hurt with its contents, starting for the Title.

Work very hectic these days and hence doesnt have enough time to put relevant comments to all the posts. Will do that when I get time. I m sure that will need atleats a few days [:-)]

Once again brother, I am hurt. You find this really foolish right? yes I am one of those thousand fools who really feel that way, when we see something like this.

One single question for the time being: Happend to see a section called My Dog! This Happens Only In Kerala!. How does a news about S Ajayakumar M P being given a show-cause notice by his Party, finds a place in that? What is the filter criteria for that news widget?

The Common Man | പ്രാരബ്ധം said...

Comment Tracking....

Anonymous said...

People in England, wales and Scotland( great britain) though generally are pro development, they would have nothing to do with spoiling the pristine countryside, lush greeneries and picturesque valleys and even more precious, the slow pace of life. The standard of life is so enviable that the rich bankers from london flock to countryside to buy a house or two. All development is limited to the main cities which in itself are not that huge.

We in kerala, due to our political culture, have failed to industrialise our state as much as some people in this blog would want it to. But I see it as a blessing in disguise for us, as we get fresh air, a lot of greeneries, slow paced life, and on lateral side relatively even distribution of wealth and the list goes on and on.

When the whole of India gets industrialised rapidly, a few decades later, people outside our state would flock to our state just to be alongside nature (rest of india would become a big hellhole due to exploitation). Just because every other state does is not a reason for us to follow the same. We save our state(albeit unintentionally, and my sincere thanks to communists for that). In the decades that go by, we would be the pride of our country as we would be the only state where nature itself resides.

Before the dogs and their moderator in this blog (remember its DOG's own country and we are no god) try to raise their pitch against me for being anti-industrialisation, let me say, face it people,we keralites are the best and we have got the best of the states.

Anonymous said...

and the anonymous is me

SG Padinjare.

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MC said...

@ the common man - i appreciate the fact that you feel for kerala. at least we share that much in common. if everyone in kerala felt so deeply about our state, i am sure things would have been better. there are bigger issues and worse things for you to feel bad about and hurt in kerala. lets try and work together to improve those things, and then certainly we can think of even closing down this blog.

@ padinjare - certainly we can ensure that kerala remains largely environment friendly and green together with good development and industrialization. but right now there is no development and its not because we are eco-friendly or nature lovers - its only because of some of our politicians. there are highly industrialized cities across the world that have cleaner air than we have in the cities of kerala which have barely any industries - but just badly polluting traffic, people who care less about the environment, and a clueless pollution control board.

besides, i thought until now we were hearing so much about how kerala is "one big metro" and there is industrialization across kerala and not like in karnataka where they have only bangalore and mangalore?

we could have a few big cities and centralize our development or ensure decentralized development - but either way greenery and a clean environment is something that comes out of effort and active policies. its not just automatic or the default result of under-development (unless perhaps we continued to live in the forests).

its already alarming how no youngster wants to live in kerala or return to kerala under the present circumstances. surely like you said in a few decades, if we continue like this, there would be nobody working in our state, simply because there will be no jobs or development here. and we would only have people visiting the state for vacations. if thats your vision about kerala's future, then its probably time to speak to someone from the next generation.

ofcourse we have a great state. we just have to make it better and take out the weeds and dirt. and that will probably start by changing our own mindsets.

@ a few others - there is a terrible characteristic of a malayali that i really worry about - some of us think that acting and behaving uncultured or being uncivilized is great or using abuse or raw sarcasm /threatening others is cool. i think some of us get a thrill or perception that we are better than the others by behaving like that.

i think some of the tv shows and current movies (including some present day movie artists as opposed to the refined comedy of yesteryear) also reflects this trend.

well, whether we realize it or not, such things are damn cheap and shows how uncultured we can be.

probably its time for another post and to close comments here :)

MC said...

@ the pavam mallu - it was certainly not the malayalam, but the content and your attitude that made me delete your comment. sorry about it. if you have something related to the post (hopefully something constructive), feel free to post in malayalam or english.

MC said...

@ phoenix - although your comments are mostly defensive, i had to delete those too since they are mostly unrelated to the blog posts. sorry about that too :)

Annemarie said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Fr. Jerry Kurian said...

I think it's time that we learnt that criticizing ourselves (our state) does not mean that we are against it. It means that we still have a little good left in ourselves to think and act for the good of the place we love. I therefore support MC for the post.

I can understand that many will feel uneasy with this but we don't need to. Talking out loud about what is happening just means that we have grown up so I hope everyone can see it thus.

The tourism scene on the one hand is filled with great advertisements that literally lure us to visit places. But ask those who visit and one will realise how bad our hospitality, both individual and collective is. During the strike by the house boat employees recently, tourists were left to fend for themselves once the house boat had reached the middle of nowhere.

Anonymous said...

"people who care less about the environment, and a clueless pollution control board."

Absolutely baseless. This shows this blog is just want to throw random allegations without any proof. Clearly shows these ppl have no idea what is happening in kerala. Pollution control board in kerala cannot be even compared to other states in India. 'Clueless' pollution control board was the one who stopped plastic bags below the thickness of 30 microns. wake up MC.

Anonymous said...

May be MC should understand how the pollution control boards in other states are functioning.(If they ever have one) LOL.

MC said...

@ fr jerry - appreciate the support. you echoed my sentiments. the first thing we all should realize is that we are all on the same side, and just because we are discussing our flaws and lackings here, it doesnt mean that our idea is to just foul-mouth kerala. but if some of us want to keep thinking and saying that about this blog and its motives, then its too bad. hope some day they change their thinking.

@ anonymous - please tell us more about the PCB in kerala. i know for certain that they just know to create rules, but cant even advise any industry on how to dispose waste or recycle. anyway, i will be glad to read more about the PCB in kerala and their activities since i obviously dont know about it as much as you do. ofcourse i know there is a PCB in kerala :) but i dont think thats making any difference, except for the fees they fleece without doing anything themselves.

ofcourse they banned the plastic..how effective the ban is/was is another story. but along with the ban, did they offer a solution? are they offering recycling? another example is their insistance on water treatment plants in hotels and hospitals. but do they even have a clue on how to install a system? they just refer you to "preferred" consultants for "more info", who then make you pay through your nose for the info.

Anonymous said...

@MC - The 'clueless PCB' is at least making an effort dude. Can u show me a single state which is better than PCB in kerala? It is easy to say that everything is inefficient. I agree government controlled organisations will not be as efficient as MNCs. But we need to compare it with other states in India. Yes I do know abt PCB in kerala better than u or any of the bloggers here and its not run by fools as u think.

MC said...

@ anonymous - so do you mean that we have no scope of improvement? we are better than someone else, so thats it. lets live with it? why do we have to compare it with someone poorer even if we have problems and issues? why cant we lead the change?

i didnt think or say PCB is run by fools - so please dont think for my sake :)

Anonymous said...

@MC - Everything in this world has scope for improvement. Not just kerala.

Compare it with poor states - so kerala is better than them right? Dude, you can't compare kerala with UK or US. we live in a country where a significant percentage is still under poverty line. When u make a statement like Dogs own country, u should understand there are places in this country where even dogs die of hunger.

If PCB is 'clueless', it has to be run by a bunch of fools. we dont need to think too much to understand that.

Anonymous said...

On a deeper level, any modern state will try to have more industries as its mainstay. More industrial workers means more people who have no access to sources of production(i mean food) and its associated neccesities beginning with accomodation. All this is possible only if ppl are displaced from their land, which is the source of home, food, etc.(but mind you, the land will fall into big parcels and into a few people). Only then can the state can have more control of the individual. Atleast thats the theory behind the modern state.In India, and more so in kerala, we are not a total state as in modern definition.We are FREE people, because the state has little control over us. Communists did a great service ti keralites since it did land reform.

And about jobs ad development that he herd media is so absorbed about is a non issue to me. firstly every place has its own strengths or it developed one.(eg vegas). we have our own strengths that is nature. keep it pristine like our capital (money) and just reep rewards.(more so in the coming decades as india will become more industrialised).And kerala and malayalees are rich because keralites left their home to find green pastures elsewhere.Tell me something, who is more richer, a marathi worker in bombay or malayali worker in mumbai. clearly the keralite because he can save more because he has les of a pressure of the society on him.(same with immigrants everywhere even in US).If the same person does the same job in kerala, he will be pooreer in terms of savings. So induatrialisation of kerala will not make people better off than they are now where they go out to make money.
pardon the typpographical errors as i am late for office.

SG padinjare

Anonymous said...

@ mc, develpment @ the rate of other states is preposterous hazy concept which will only enslave our future within.

Anonymous said...

Agree with SG completely. socialist state is any day better than a capitalist society where wealth is concentrated in a few people. This is exactly what is happening in rest of India. Development should be for common people. How can u expect that from governments like Karnataka which is run by mining mafia.

MC said...

@ anonymous - When u make a statement like Dogs own country, u should understand there are places in this country where even dogs die of hunger.
what?? oh lordie!

and i still didnt hear anything from you regarding what the PCB really does in Kerala! guess you dont know anything more than what i do, except that you have mentioned that YOU think that they are fools.

but i am glad you conceded at least the fact that even Kerala can improve. thats a huge step forward!

@ padinjare - thats deep and quite confusing.

All this is possible only if ppl are displaced from their land, which is the source of home, food, etc.
i hope that makes sense to my readers, since it doesnt for me!

We are FREE people, because the state has little control over us.
you want a state full of unrest and disorder? your concept of freedom is quite weird.

@ anonymous number 23 - i figured out one thing - only an anonymous can understand another anonymous

:)

The Common Man | പ്രാരബ്ധം said...

Awaiting an answer for my question ..:-)

Also, if you dont mind , kindly post some details about you, only if you dont mind. Atleast your profession. It is a bit difficult to comment, without knowing your background. Hence. Plz dont take it in the wrong sense.

Anonymous said...

@common man -

MC works for Karnataka & Tamil Nadu governments :)

MC said...

@ common man - i dont think it makes a huge difference what i do. and its also immaterial if some folks here do not understand that this blog is only out of a very passionate interest about india and kerala. because, i can see what we write and discuss here is making people listen and take note, irrespective of how they react. for example, some guy has made a comment about what i do, before i answer about myself. since its entertaining, i have retained the comment anyway.

(decided to edit this comment a bit and repost)

Anonymous said...

People that live in Kerala are pervy because of the Radiation from the beach sands.
Why else does even the hardest working NRK or Army guy become pervy once he has been in Kerala for a few months?

And why do Mallus excel only outside Kerala?

A big businessman was saying, " I dunno what happens. I give a home posting to a good employee; and when I visit the branch in Kerala after a few months, he already has his booted feet resting on the table; and he has an unshaven face..."

Anonymous said...

The maximum recommended absorbed dose of radiation is 5.0 mSv a-1* (less for children
and expectant moms). It is cited in documents that 'At Kerala Beach, India radioactive sand
produces a background of 35 mSv a-1' (FPAS, York University, 2003), which implies that people
in the radioactive coast line of Kerala are at risk even when the ilmenite - silica blanket and the
process of thermodynamic processes reduce the natural radiation from the radioactive minerals. Yet
another document reports that 'the majority of the population of the Kerala region in India receives
an annual dose greater than 500 mrem**. A small percentage of the inhabitants receive over 2,000
mrem per year and the highest recorded value has been 5,865 mrem in one year' (CTED. US DoE,
1995). The higher values could invariably be for those regions of Chavara coast and the dumping
grounds of the industrial residue.

Somatic, genetic, teratogenic, stochastic and non - stochastic effects of the natural radiation
are well studied and documented by researchers. A recent research conducted at the present mining
sites along Chavara coast, by the geneticists of University of Cambridge, identified 22 mutations in
the mitochondrial DNA sequences of families living in high-radiation area, where as a control
population observed for the study, living in the nearby white sand area south of the mining sites,
had only one mutation (Foster. et al, 2002). The researchers aptly refer to the areas of high
incidence of mutations as "evolutionary hot spots". From the fact that rate of background radiation
in the area tends to increase with mining and that mutations of human DNA increase with increase
in background radiation, mining in the proposed site will only help to spread the resultant ailments
and ill health from the Chavara coast and adjoining areas.

Mining in the Kollam coast started in 1922 and still continues, undisrupted. As the minerals
mined contain potential atomic fuel, Central Government laid strict mining rules and regulations
(Atomic Energy Act, 1962), which prohibited individuals or private enterprises from undertaking
such mining activity. These rules and regulation were relaxed recently.

Anonymous said...

I have only this to ask to all these people who have defended Kerala as the best State. Why are you working outside Kerala? It is very well to sit in air conditioned cubicles and talk as you are safe, with a job and a dignified living. Millions of Malayalees are displaced every year from Kerala, forced out of their own homes because there is no hope for them here. Very soon these NRk remittances will stop as the second generation NRK will lose touch with their roots. The population of Kerala is also falling. What will happen to Kerala then? None of you see the writing on the wall except for a few people here. Kerala needs to be saved. It is heading towards oblivion now!

Ajith said...

@anonymous - So its not mallu ego, its 'Radioactivity' which is the culprit. Spare the sand at least LOL!!!! Thank you for the enlightening scientific explanation. May be the radioactivity sparked creativity in our world class writers and filmmakers!

@Jayanti - Agree, 2nd level NRKs are not gonna send anything home. They all will become mumbaikers, bangalorians etc. But rather than propagating hatred why cant people spread news like this

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/Kerala_to_offer_2_lakh_IT_jobs/rssarticleshow/3617494.cms

This will help at least the current NRKs to have a confidence in going back. There is absolutely no point in crying about mallu ego and bad industrial climate. We have been hearing this for the last two decades.

Anonymous said...

I do not think anyone is propagating hatred. But we need blogs like this to keep us from sliding into a false sense of security and well being. We need urgent action in Kerala if we are to preserve the state for Malayalees. We need to keep our people in the state. We need to create a better climate for them to come back and work by creating a industry friendly eco system. Right now people and industries are running away. The writing is on the wall. Keralites needs to pull up their socks, mend their attitude and swallow their ego and pride for the sake of survival of the Malayalee.

Thanks for the link. I have been reading reports like this for the past two decades.

Anonymous said...

Typical NRK - They are sure that none of the projects will work in kerala but still want to ‘save’ kerala. LOL

@ Ajith - Jayanthi is phoenix, don’t waste your time.

Annemarie said...

I don't make anonymous comments!
I don't need to!
Unlike you!
Get lost!

Proud NRK!

MC said...

hello peoples..we have a new post..thank you

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