Kerala: Gods' Own Country

Kerala is the one of the most beautiful state in India in terms of greenery as far as I have seen. It is characterized by the good beaches, thick cover of coconut trees on the coastal areas and as you start moving inwards in the mainland, you find that slowly coconut trees are replaced by rubber plantations, as you move further inland flat ground is replaced by rising hills of western ghats and rubber plantations are replaced by tea plantations.

 Similarly climate also has its variance across this land. In the coastal areas climate is always humid, hotter in summer and hot in winter (As I come from north I feel even winters are hot in these parts). When we start moving towards western ghats climate again becomes cooler and more pleasant. Here you can see both the climate in a single day from hot and humid coastal and tropical climate to cool and pleasant climate of hills while travelling for your regular visits.

When I came to Kerala in the middle of 2009 for some personal assignments I stayed here for one month and I instantly fell in love with Kerala. I have never seen such breathtaking greenery for such a long and continuous stretch. I felt closest to nature here, although before that I have been to Himalayas (Kashmir and Devbhoomi Uttrakhand). My company gave me a room in guest house which was facing the sea and was appropriately known as "Bayview", from there living at 7th floor I could see the nearby islands. Next experience was even more fascinating, just imagine I used to go to company office in boat, and I felt wow!!!!!!!! what the fun. After being there for some time I thought Kochin (the city where I was living) could be called Venice of east appropriately and there is a lot of potential for the waterways which can get the city rid of much of its traffic. Just imagine if I go to office on Willingdon Island from Bayview (Company guest house in Fort Kochi Island, where I was staying) in car then it will take me 30-45 minutes and a lot of traffic, noise and pollution. However at the same time if you want to go in boat it will cost u Rs 2 and one km morning and evening walk (if you don't want to walk you can hire auto) and total of less than 30 minutes. May be this boat service is subsidized but if is then it is subsidized for the good. Moreover I do not think that it is heavily subsidized because lot many people travel by it and revenues must be meeting at least the operating costs. Its timings are perfect. I have seen flights, trains, buses and all other means of transportations getting late but this one is one which is always on time that to perfection of seconds forget minutes. And after this I thought that communists have done some wonders in Kerala or may be Keralites because of their high education rates are better organized and more efficient.

By now I have been to only one major city thats Kochin and plantations and estates. Everything is fantastic and beautiful in its own way over here.

There are some problem regarding the labours and unionization. But may be these problems are the part of path of progress. people are paying higher because they can afford to otherwise they would not do so. Moreover these are more of system problems which I believe will be solved by the people as it is most literate state. Politically and socially as well its very different from rest of the country, different means advance here. 

One day I was waiting for somebody at the corner shop near a hotel for somebody. Owner of cornershop happened to be from north India. he said it is a place where you will find even MPs and MLAs walking the streets amongst common men and nobody is bothered. While in North (I do not know much in this regard about other south Indian states) you will find even "chutbhaiyya neta" (small time petty politician) or local thug walking with group of sycophants. 

Life here is really peaceful. I am now working here with the same company and by the time of writing this blog I have already spent some 4 months in this state. You will find more people in the street at 5 AM in the morning than 9 PM. Even in cities people sleep early and they wake up early and go for morning walk.

There are pious people believe in their traditions and values. In fact this feeling for traditional values is far strong in southern half of country than northern half. They follow what they preach. There is no veil system (Apart from Muslims). Position of women is far better than north (where women were reduced to the status of women in Arabian countries) . Here in actual traditions of India women are respected and given their rights in fact I am told in tribal areas (which are not tribal in these of tribal of Chattisgarh, these are well connected) there are still matriarchal societies.

There is religious harmony amongst the people. In fact if you ask first name of anybody you will not find if he/she is Hindu or Christian (In case of Muslims its different). Everybody goes to Church whenever they feel like. But sad fact is that even here Muslims have ghettoized themselves to some extent. Because of spread of education many of them are educated here and some are traditionally well to do. But large part of them is still not part of the society as should be. But in the minds of public there is no animosity towards each other. 

Apart from labour problems everything is just fine in this state. I hope this problem is also part of economic transition phase and will be sorted out when it become necessary. Apart from plantation all labour intensive industries are moving out. IT industry is making inroads. In fact in last year growth of IT exports from Kerala was highest of viz-a-viz other regions. Hence this beautiful state is moving further higher up in economic ladder. It is beautiful, peaceful and progressive.