Keralam at 70: holding a mirror to India
At a time when majoritarian nationalism encompasses large parts of India, Keralam at 70 is still offering a vision of secularism and pluralism
- ✓At a time when majoritarian nationalism encompasses large parts of India, Keralam at 70 is still offering a vision of secularism and pluralism
- ✓In 1956, Keralam was amongst the poorest States, on par with Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh.
- ✓If Keralam were counted as a nation, it would rank 75 on the Human Development Index, ahead of China.
- ✓It would also be 55 ranks above India which is at 130.
In 1956, Keralam was amongst the poorest States, on par with Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh. Presently, it is amongst the richest; but more importantly, it has a lower infant mortality than the U.S. If Keralam were counted as a nation, it would rank 75 on the Human Development Index, ahead of China.
It would also be 55 ranks above India which is at 130. This transformation and divergence from the national path is the globally lauded ‘Keralam story’. This story, which is, of course, not seamless and unblemished, is built on a central animator: a robust democracy, which is a rarity in the Global South.
Its significance is enhanced further because Keralam is also among the most religiously diverse regions. Keralam reinforces Amartya Sen’s original thesis that development is about expanding human freedoms rather than mere economic growth; human development does not require high incomes.
Yet even now the central thrust of the national development regime is “Viksit Bharat 2047,” an income-based development measure. If India had the same infant mortality levels as that of Keralam, it would have saved over 5,00,000 infant lives annually.
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| Issuing Authority | The Hindu National |
|---|---|
| Topic Category | STATES |
| Jurisdiction | All India / National |
| Publication Date | 10 November 2026 |