In my previous posting,I had shared some of my thoughts on the issue.A few more points need to be added on to it.Now i would like to address a more fundamental question.The purpose of the event no doubt is development of the state,to put it in a nutshell.If that be true,then one has to ponder on what is development.Is it bringing a few more industries/business/facilities/establishments etc?Or is it creating employment?
Ideally,development should be defined as alround improvement of life in the state.In that case,improvement of economy is one of the key factors.If economy has to improve,all activities in the state should improve.Agriculture,traditional Industries,new generation activities,service sector,infra structure,energy ,the list is not exhaustive,but only indicative.In today's situation,any activity should be globally competitive to survive on a long term basis.So first thing should be to identify which are the sectors where the state has locational,climatic,and natural resources advantage.
One also needs to analyse where the state has natural and man made weaknesses.This will lead to a realisation of threats and opportunities.(in Management jargon,SWOT analysis)
Looking at the strengths,educated manpower,conducive climatic factor,relatively better power situation,bounty full rainfall,Availability of good educational facilities across the state,good law and order situation are some of them.
There is the natural weakness of non availability and phenomenally high cost of land is the predominant factor.Absence of a community who are primarily entrepreneurs(like Chettiars in Tamilnadu,or Shetties in Karnataka,Khammas in Andhra,Marwadies in North India etc) is a weakness from a local entrepreneurial point of view.Volatile labour force could well be a disincentive for new industries.Absence of high quality education is another weakness
There are great opportunities on tourism and IT sectors. Developing sectors like Bio Technology,and similar research oriented projects present good opportunities.Imparting of technology in traditional Industries like Coir is another area of opportunity.Mechanisation of farming sector,value addition of cash crops are another major opportunity.
Real time threat is in the form of enviornmental damages,land scarcity becoming still larger threat,further depletion of labour from farming sector.
Emergence of Kerala as a better destination will depend on how these issues are tackled.By concentrating on our strengths,eradicating our weaknesses,addressing the threats, and utilising the opportunities.Unfortunately,the government does not seem focused on that kind of an exercise.The approach of the Government is like a wayside vendor calling all and sundry to buy what he has to sell.This certainly will send signals to the prospective enturpruners that the state is up for sale and they can make a killing by proper bargaining.
Ideally,development should be defined as alround improvement of life in the state.In that case,improvement of economy is one of the key factors.If economy has to improve,all activities in the state should improve.Agriculture,traditional Industries,new generation activities,service sector,infra structure,energy ,the list is not exhaustive,but only indicative.In today's situation,any activity should be globally competitive to survive on a long term basis.So first thing should be to identify which are the sectors where the state has locational,climatic,and natural resources advantage.
One also needs to analyse where the state has natural and man made weaknesses.This will lead to a realisation of threats and opportunities.(in Management jargon,SWOT analysis)
Looking at the strengths,educated manpower,conducive climatic factor,relatively better power situation,bounty full rainfall,Availability of good educational facilities across the state,good law and order situation are some of them.
There is the natural weakness of non availability and phenomenally high cost of land is the predominant factor.Absence of a community who are primarily entrepreneurs(like Chettiars in Tamilnadu,or Shetties in Karnataka,Khammas in Andhra,Marwadies in North India etc) is a weakness from a local entrepreneurial point of view.Volatile labour force could well be a disincentive for new industries.Absence of high quality education is another weakness
There are great opportunities on tourism and IT sectors. Developing sectors like Bio Technology,and similar research oriented projects present good opportunities.Imparting of technology in traditional Industries like Coir is another area of opportunity.Mechanisation of farming sector,value addition of cash crops are another major opportunity.
Real time threat is in the form of enviornmental damages,land scarcity becoming still larger threat,further depletion of labour from farming sector.
Emergence of Kerala as a better destination will depend on how these issues are tackled.By concentrating on our strengths,eradicating our weaknesses,addressing the threats, and utilising the opportunities.Unfortunately,the government does not seem focused on that kind of an exercise.The approach of the Government is like a wayside vendor calling all and sundry to buy what he has to sell.This certainly will send signals to the prospective enturpruners that the state is up for sale and they can make a killing by proper bargaining.
