The Kerala model

Sir, - In his article ``The Kerala model of development'' (The Hindu, May 29), Mr. K. V. Joseph seems to draw the conclusion that Kerala's `apparent prosperity' derives its strength from the remittances of expatriate Keralites and is like a `castle built in sand'.

It is true that the huge volume of remittances has gone into bank deposits, purchase of consumer durables and construction of posh homes and a measly sum into secondary (manufacturing) industries. But the positive contributions of proactive leftist governments in building up a high social and economic order cannot be belittled by scepticism. A near 100 per cent literacy, low infant mortality and birth rates, even comparable to advanced countries, surely must mean a healthy state of economy. `Per capita income', in a welfare state like Kerala, is a dubious average and not a true indicator of economic self-sufficiency. Besides, what is the use of higher `per capita income' if children of school-going age were to be made to work in factories, or the land to be ravaged by polluting industries?

Kerala is a `non-conformist State' and would continue to be one, no matter whether it is ruled by the `left' or the `right'. Macro-economic growth is a slow and inefficient process of feeding the fat horses (capitalists) so that the poor sparrows can feed on their dung. Kerala's model of redistribution of wealth, albeit by labour militancy, is a better developmental strategy.

Finally, it is worth noting that our country as a whole has gone into a deep stagnation in the secondary manufacturing sector, while the runaway ``prosperity'' of the ``ICE sector'' (information-communication- entertainment) is much hyped. It may pay to remember that the `ICE' success story is like a castle built in paper.

Subbiah Venkataraman,

Thiruvananthapuram

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