‘The 16th Keralam Assembly has 51% Hindu, 25% Muslim, and 24% Christian MLAs roughly corresponding to their populations. Such consociationalism is rare, even globally’ | Photo Credit: X/@vdsatheesan via ANI
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.
Published - November 11, 2026 12:26 am IST
Source: The Hindu · Nissim Mannathukkaren
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