N※N

Politics and Government
Source : (remove) : rediff.com
^{RSS • JSON • XML • CSV}

Politics and Government
Source : (remove) : rediff.com
^{RSS • JSON • XML • CSV}

'Kerala Is On A Ventilator'

Kerala on a Ventilator: A Stark Warning from the Frontlines

In a candid and hard-hitting interview, a prominent political figure paints a grim picture of Kerala's current state, likening it to a patient on life support, struggling to breathe amid decades of mismanagement, corruption, and policy failures. The discussion delves deep into the multifaceted crises plaguing the southern Indian state, from economic stagnation and environmental disasters to political opportunism and governance lapses. The interviewee, drawing from years of observation and involvement in national politics, argues that Kerala, once hailed as a model of development with high literacy rates and social indicators, has been reduced to a shadow of its former self due to the alternating rule of two entrenched coalitions: the Left Democratic Front (LDF) and the United Democratic Front (UDF).

At the heart of the critique is the state's crippling financial woes. Kerala is drowning in debt, with borrowings spiraling out of control to fund populist schemes and inefficient public spending. The interviewee points out that successive governments have prioritized short-term welfare measures over sustainable economic growth, leading to a scenario where the state relies heavily on remittances from its diaspora and central government aid. This dependency has stifled local entrepreneurship and job creation, resulting in widespread youth unemployment. Young Keralites, educated and skilled, are forced to migrate en masse to other parts of India or abroad in search of opportunities, hollowing out the state's human capital. The interview highlights how this brain drain exacerbates the demographic challenges, with an aging population left behind to bear the brunt of inadequate healthcare and pension systems that are underfunded and overburdened.

Environmental mismanagement emerges as another critical theme, particularly in the wake of recent natural calamities. The devastating landslides in Wayanad district serve as a poignant example of governmental negligence. The interviewee lambasts both the state administration and the opposition for failing to implement preventive measures despite repeated warnings from experts about the fragility of the Western Ghats. Illegal quarrying, unchecked construction in ecologically sensitive zones, and poor disaster preparedness have turned what could have been mitigated risks into full-blown tragedies, claiming hundreds of lives and displacing thousands. The response to the disaster is described as chaotic, with relief efforts hampered by bureaucratic red tape and political blame games. Instead of uniting for recovery, leaders from the ruling LDF and the opposition UDF engaged in finger-pointing, further eroding public trust. The interview stresses that such events are not isolated; Kerala has faced recurring floods and landslides, yet lessons from past incidents like the 2018 deluge remain unlearned, pointing to a systemic failure in environmental policy and urban planning.

Politically, the state is portrayed as a battleground of dynastic politics and communal appeasement, where the two major fronts—dominated by the Communist Party of India (Marxist) on one side and the Congress on the other—have formed an unspoken alliance to maintain their duopoly. This has sidelined genuine development agendas, allowing corruption to flourish in sectors like education, health, and infrastructure. The interviewee recounts instances of graft in public projects, where funds are siphoned off through kickbacks and nepotism, leaving citizens with subpar services. For example, the much-touted Kerala model of healthcare is now straining under the weight of understaffed hospitals and outdated equipment, a far cry from its once-enviable reputation. Education, too, suffers from similar ills, with universities mired in political interference and curricula failing to align with modern job market needs.

The conversation also touches on the social fabric of Kerala, noting how communal tensions have been stoked for electoral gains. The state, known for its religious diversity and harmony, is increasingly seeing polarization along Hindu-Muslim lines, fueled by opportunistic politics. The interviewee warns that this could unravel the social cohesion that has been a hallmark of Kerala's identity. Moreover, the rise of radical elements, both religious and ideological, is attributed to the vacuum created by ineffective governance, where disillusioned youth turn to extremism as an outlet for their frustrations.

Looking ahead, the interview calls for a paradigm shift. It advocates for a third force in Kerala's politics—one that prioritizes accountability, innovation, and inclusive growth. The interviewee suggests harnessing Kerala's strengths, such as its educated workforce and scenic landscapes, to boost sectors like tourism, IT, and renewable energy. Investments in sustainable agriculture and eco-tourism could revive rural economies, while reforms in land use and disaster management could prevent future catastrophes. Critically, there's an emphasis on federal cooperation, urging the central government to provide targeted support without enabling fiscal irresponsibility. The state must move away from its overreliance on welfare and towards creating a vibrant economy that generates jobs and revenue internally.

The critique extends to the role of the media and civil society, which are accused of being complicit in perpetuating the status quo by not holding leaders accountable. The interviewee urges Keralites to demand better, to vote beyond traditional loyalties, and to embrace change that aligns with national progress. In essence, the interview is a wake-up call: Kerala is not just on a ventilator; it's at a crossroads. Without urgent interventions—ranging from fiscal discipline and environmental safeguards to political reforms—the state risks irreversible decline. Yet, there's a thread of optimism woven through the narrative, suggesting that with bold leadership and collective will, Kerala can reclaim its position as a beacon of progress in India. The discussion ends on a reflective note, reminding that the true measure of a society's health lies not in statistics but in the well-being and aspirations of its people, which in Kerala's case, are currently gasping for air.

Read the Full rediff.com Article at:
[ https://www.rediff.com/news/interview/kerala-is-on-a-ventilator/20250816.htm ]