There was a time when Kerala was a peaceful state,people by and large were simple and straight forward,with sense of cleanliness,and upright.Communal harmony was something that was taken for granted....in short blessed with most of the old world charms even after they disappeared elsewhere.I AM NOT TRYING TO SAY THAT THE PLACE WAS A PARAGON OF VIRTUES AND EVERYTHING WAS ALRIGHT THERE.Of course the bad things of the world were very much there,but at a much smaller scale than elsewhere.The change as I see it today, is that the state can compete with any other place in the vices which were dormant earlier.No doubt it has not happened overnight or in a small span of time. Changes were happening and the pace hastened by 1990s.The emergence of the new socio- economic order following the liberalised economic policies followed by successive governments also had its beginning in the 90s.
I remember a conversation with a Senior colleague of mine in 90s.I was living in Chennai at that time.My job required travel all over South India and some parts of West and North India.We were discussing the rapid strides the state was making in Tourism sector and the slogan"Gods Own Country".The slogan had Just been coined by Mudra,who were Advertising Agents for the Company I was working for.My senior college liked the campaign Mudra had developed for Kerala Tourism, but remarked that as the tourism improves,the moral standards of the state is bound to decrease.I opposed his viewpoint vehemently,told him that Kerala has its own moral values and that is something that cannot be purchased by $ or Euros.Today he has been proved right and me wrong.If my erstwhile Senior colleague ever happens to read this,let it serve as a a thumbs-up for him and the converse for me
It is not a question of moral standards alone.All aspects of life has undergone degradation frightfully fast.The basic transactional level of people are at a level unthinkable a decade ago.Mutual respect,give and take,co-operation have all deteriorated.A support system that existed in the friendly neighbourhood has vanished.Friendship exists only when there is a mutual benefit and for that benefit alone.Mutual trust and honesty in dealings have diminished.The moral obligation that used to be there is gone once and for all.There is no urge to perform a duty unless it is enforceable by law or force.
Political system has become corrupt to the core.The two political formations are coming to power in an alternating cycle.The policies /actions which formation A criticised or even agitated against are implemented when they comes to power at the end of the cycle.Now it is the turn of formation B to criticize and agitate.Formation A ask with a straight face "you were the ones who brought this in the first place".The formation B replies"but you were the ones who agitated"This absurd drama goes on with now familiar screenplay over and over ,again and again.
The highest deterioration is in the matters concerning law and order.Criminal gangs who undertakes activities ranging from threats to manhandling to murder for a fee is rampant.Their services are extensively used by money lenders,house owners,politicians and even religious leaders.They enjoy support from their connections,political,law enforcing arms of the government,men with deep pockets etc.Cases involving these groups as accused attracts media headlines for a while and thereafter it vanishes into the thin air.Cases against them(if at all they find the way to trial courts)get acquitted for want of evidence.Witnesses turn hostile or deliberately make contradictions in cross examination,there are accusations of corruption in judiciary too.
This system is the perfect breeding ground for terrorism.Unless the system is cleansed,the terrorist groups will get support from victims of the system.Any number of examples are available for small time criminals becoming terrorist group leaders and holding nations on tenterhooks.Let such a calamity not overtake our GODS OWN COUNTRY
I remember a conversation with a Senior colleague of mine in 90s.I was living in Chennai at that time.My job required travel all over South India and some parts of West and North India.We were discussing the rapid strides the state was making in Tourism sector and the slogan"Gods Own Country".The slogan had Just been coined by Mudra,who were Advertising Agents for the Company I was working for.My senior college liked the campaign Mudra had developed for Kerala Tourism, but remarked that as the tourism improves,the moral standards of the state is bound to decrease.I opposed his viewpoint vehemently,told him that Kerala has its own moral values and that is something that cannot be purchased by $ or Euros.Today he has been proved right and me wrong.If my erstwhile Senior colleague ever happens to read this,let it serve as a a thumbs-up for him and the converse for me
It is not a question of moral standards alone.All aspects of life has undergone degradation frightfully fast.The basic transactional level of people are at a level unthinkable a decade ago.Mutual respect,give and take,co-operation have all deteriorated.A support system that existed in the friendly neighbourhood has vanished.Friendship exists only when there is a mutual benefit and for that benefit alone.Mutual trust and honesty in dealings have diminished.The moral obligation that used to be there is gone once and for all.There is no urge to perform a duty unless it is enforceable by law or force.
Political system has become corrupt to the core.The two political formations are coming to power in an alternating cycle.The policies /actions which formation A criticised or even agitated against are implemented when they comes to power at the end of the cycle.Now it is the turn of formation B to criticize and agitate.Formation A ask with a straight face "you were the ones who brought this in the first place".The formation B replies"but you were the ones who agitated"This absurd drama goes on with now familiar screenplay over and over ,again and again.
The highest deterioration is in the matters concerning law and order.Criminal gangs who undertakes activities ranging from threats to manhandling to murder for a fee is rampant.Their services are extensively used by money lenders,house owners,politicians and even religious leaders.They enjoy support from their connections,political,law enforcing arms of the government,men with deep pockets etc.Cases involving these groups as accused attracts media headlines for a while and thereafter it vanishes into the thin air.Cases against them(if at all they find the way to trial courts)get acquitted for want of evidence.Witnesses turn hostile or deliberately make contradictions in cross examination,there are accusations of corruption in judiciary too.
This system is the perfect breeding ground for terrorism.Unless the system is cleansed,the terrorist groups will get support from victims of the system.Any number of examples are available for small time criminals becoming terrorist group leaders and holding nations on tenterhooks.Let such a calamity not overtake our GODS OWN COUNTRY
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