The south Indian State of Kerala has long been held up as a shining example of developmental success in the face of economic odds. Several academics have analysed the “Kerala model” of development. G.K. Lieten, for instance, writing in the Journal of Contemporary Asia on “The Human Development Puzzle in Kerala”, says “In the increasing attention to human development, Kerala has started to serve as a metaphor for a high human development index (HDI) despite a low gross national product (GNP). In terms of literacy, morbidity, child mortality, longevity and fertility, it closely approaches the standards reached in the developed countries. Even in comparison with China and South Korea, admittedly success stories in human development management, Kerala did much better.”

Richard W. Franke and Barbara H. Chasin, state: “Kerala shows that Third World people can make their lives better in the absence of industrialisation or large-scale economic growth. The key ingredients: active grassroots organisations, redistribution of wealth and democratic participation.

“Despite low per capita income, Kerala’s 31 million people have achieved nearly total literacy, long life expectancy, low infant mortality and birth rates and high access to medical care. Kerala’s development indicators compare favourably with the rest of India, low-income countries in general and even rich nations such as the United States.”

“The main elements of the Kerala model are: a land reform initiative that abolished tenancy and landlord exploitation; effective public food distribution that provides subsidised rice to low-income households; protective laws for agricultural workers; pensions for retired agricultural labourers; and a high rate of government employment for members of formerly low-caste communities.”

In this context, two recent reports from international agencies on poverty measurement are pertinent from the “Kerala model” point of view. The World Bank , in its update on ‘International Comparison Programme’, has said that out of an estimated population of about 100 crore in 2005, “the number of poor people living below $1.25 a day has increased from 42.1 crore in 1981 to 45.6 crore in 2005. This is the biggest challenge facing India.”

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