Kerala closest representation of high human development society in India: N. Ram

Kerala stands today as India’s closest approximation to a high human development society, and offers a striking demonstration that social investment and democratic decentralisation can deliver exceptional outcomes even at modest income levels, N. Ram, Director, The Hindu Group, has said.

Addressing a seminar on ‘Secularism, Democracy and Consultative Government’ at the conclusion of the three-day ‘Vision 2031: An International Conference on Development and Democracy’ in Thiruvananthapuram, Mr. Ram also advocated drawing lessons from both Kerala and Tamil Nadu for India’s future growth trajectory.

He pointed out that Kerala has the lowest multidimensional poverty and has eliminated extreme poverty. The State also has the lowest infant mortality rate and the lowest maternal mortality rate in the country. Universal literacy, strong social protection, deep decentralisation through empowered local self-governments have been other creditable achievements of the State.

“Kerala compares with countries that have a much higher per capita income and represents a striking demonstration of the principle that if a State ensures human development in various sectors, then they can do extremely well even if there are many constraints.”

Key challenges

At the same time, he cautioned against romanticising the achievement as he recalled how former Chief Minister E.M.S. Namboodiripad warned against making too much of the ‘Kerala model of development’. Unemployment, a relatively narrow industrial base and fiscal pressures point to some unfinished tasks that had to be addressed.

Tamil Nadu, he said, represents a second pathway that combines strong social policy with a diversified industrial economy. He added that the State’s health outcomes are among the best in the country, while its higher education gross enrolment ratio is close to 50%. Besides, Tamil Nadu employs about 40% of the women employed in the manufacturing sector across India.

The broader lesson, the veteran journalist pointed out, is that development need not follow a single linear path. “Kerala shows that you do not have to wait for high per capita income before you can open up opportunities and become a high human development State, while Tamil Nadu demonstrates that you can combine welfare with industrialisation.”

Lok Sabha MP Kanimozhi, who addressed the gathering through video-conference, called for the civil society and political parties to counter the erosion of democracy, secularism and federal principles in India. Lamenting the shrinking democratic space, she claimed that the Opposition voices were being sidelined in the country.

Ms. Kanimozhi also expressed concern over the treatment of dissenters, and alleged that those who speak out are being threatened, arrested and jailed for long periods. With several global democracy organisations reportedly downgrading India’s democratic standing, the country risks being viewed as an autocracy rather than a celebrated democracy.

Kerala Finance Minister K.N. Balagopal presided over the session. Minister for Local Self-Governments M.B. Rajesh, Chief Secretary A. Jayathilak, Kerala State Planning Board vice chairperson V.K. Ramachandran, Principal Secretary (Planning and Economic Affairs) and Kerala State Planning Board member secretary Sharmila Mary Joseph, former Chief Justice of Delhi High Court A.P. Shah, former CPI(M) general secretary Prakash Karat and K.R. Narayanan National Institute of Visual Science and Arts chairperson Saeed Akhtar Mirza also participated in the seminar.