THE KERALA MODEL

On 15th February 2008, there concluded the 27th annual management convention of Kerala Management Association (KMA) in which I am an integral part. The deliberations spanned about 2 days with a wonderful inaugural ceremony followed by 3 technical sessions and the valedictory function. Speakers and presenters from eminent organizations covered various functions of management. On 15th Feb. morning technical session, Prof. Pulapre Balakrishnan, formerly of World Bank and IIMK and presently a Fellow of Nehru Museum and Library, New Delhi spoke eloquently on economic growth strategies. Not only that he is a brilliant economist, he is also an effective communicator. His perspective on the growth (or the lack of it) of people belonging to the bottom of the pyramid was very noteworthy.

Post the Convention, late in the evening, I had an opportunity to get together with Prof. Balakrishnan again. The Senior Vice President of KMA was also with me. Our conversation veered towards Kerala economy and the various perceptions that people hold about it.
Intelligentsia belonging to the left parties, particularly those from the CPI (M), had been tom tom-ing the so called “Kerala Model” and its success. What is the Kerala model? It generally refers to the high achievements of Kerala's people on statistical indicators of social development. These indicators have been achieved despite continuing low incomes. To add emphasis to their argument, these guys took the commendations from Nobel Laurate Prof. Amartya Sen. As per them, it is Prof. Amartya Sen who had coined the expression “Kerala Model”. Even today, the arm chair economists, particularly those Malayali ones, settled in the comforts of western countries or outside states within India, had given fillip to the arguments of the left oriented intelligentsia on the Kerala model.

Now, on hindsight, one could say that the Kerala model left some major sections of people untouched. They are the fishing people, tribal peoples, female stone cutters, female domestic servants, female agricultural laborers and migrant workers from Tamil Nadu and other states like Orissa, Bihar etc. They have been largely ignored in the development process, that led to some disastrous consequences over the years. Most of the violent clashes that had happened in Kerala society had occurred in these social segments. The Muthangs struggle of the adivasis at Wyanad and the communal clashes in the coastal village of Maradu in Calicut come as examples to the forefront. Another major struggle that we shall see in coming times will come from the migrant construction labour from outside states. If you read the reecent press releases about the Mao/Naxal activities in Kerala particualarly in the construction sector, you could get some idea about the impending gloom

The major flaw of the Kerala model has been that it never rejuvenated Kerala’s economy. Many front ranking economists remain concerned about the dismal performance of Kerala model in stimulating economic growth. “Kerala’s performance in this sphere has been poor, even compared with other Indian states”, says Prof. Amartya Sen.

What the left oriented intelligentsia does not want to realize is that in the so called Kerala model, economic growth was virtually non-existent. Prof. Sen had recently confirmed that he had never called this as Kerala model but as “Kerala experience”. Many had already done requiem to the model that failed to take off the state’s economy. But will the communist intelligentsia ever accept this? Never, instead, it is using its own mouthpiece media in the print and electronic sector for belting out the rhetoric unashamedly.

The problem with Kerala communists is that they feel they are ALWAYS right (left is right!). They implicitly feel that the theories, policies and programs that they created are absolutely right and nobody can hold a candle to it. They continue to live with the intellectual arrogance and of their intolerance of any theory that does not belong to them.

In the meanwhile, look at what is happening to the state. It continues to dependent on the remittance economy, crawl awfully at the lack of infrastructure, a stale and ‘don’t want to do’ bureaucracy combined with an ineffective chief Minister who is fighting to safeguard his own chair that is resulting in absolute non-governance, predominantly a non independent media and an extremely corrupt bunch of politicians (whether left or right, it is the same). What a potent combination! Are we all doomed?.

What can one say? “I cry for you Kerala”………………