Re: Anonymous posting: Comparison of Kerala and Italy

[Antony Joseph <antonyj@tm.net.my>]

The author has made some good comparisions, using Malabar - Travancore to
South and North Italy. And the fruit of communist policies in helping Kerala
achieve good social indicators - comparable with China and the rest of the
world.

However, from an economic perspective, even with these remarkable
acheivement in health, education, etc , Kerala remains primarily agriculture
dependent,  heavily supported by the Government through subsidies etc.
Industrial growth has remained near zero . And there is a serious
underemployment problem.  A large percentage of Keralites have to seek
opportunities outside the State causing significant brain drain.  Even
though Kerala's percapita is among the top few states in India, I suspect
that it is largely a reflection of NRI repatriation from the Gulf countries.

>From the author's article it is very clear that Kerala's high ranking in
health, equity and education was an effort initiated by the leadership
(monarchy??!!!) in the mid 1800s. Obviously the Governments for the last few
decades have been  zealously implementing this mandate, ignoring their role
in creating opportunities for the masses.

Before Kerala's policies  can become a model for the rest of India I think
we all should look at   its acheivement and failures in the same light and
evalute them.

Antony



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