Kerala is widely known as ‘God’s own country’. The narrow strip of land sandwiched between the Arabian Sea and the High Ranges of the Western Ghats in the south-western region of India is endowed with a natural beauty. The greenery of the paddy fields, the coconut palms, and the tea gardens is breathtaking. The visitor is struck by the natural beauty of the beaches, lagoons, backwaters, perennial rivers with waterfalls and dams, and the thick equatorial forests on the highlands with their rich flora and fauna. The forests host a variety of wildlife including elephants, tigers, leopards, wild buffaloes, deer, peacocks, langur and others.
A UNIQUE CULTURE
A unique Kerala culture has evolved over centuries as a result of interactions with foreigners and arising from a flourishing maritime trade with the Egyptians, Romans, Phoenicians, Arabs and the Chinese. From the fifteenth century onward, the region saw colonization by the Portuguese, the Dutch and also the British. Kerala, also known as ‘spice country’, attracted the foreigners who came in search of various spices such as pepper, cardamom, cinnamon, nutmeg, chilli, ginger, nutmeg and cloves. Ivory and timber from the forests also attracted foreigners.
The cosmopolitan outlook and character of the people have made Keralites friendly, jovial, highly sociable, helpful, informal and concerned about others. Keralites are a hardworking people and wherever they are they will send money to their families and friends and visit their native State and villages as often as they can. They love their music, dance and movies and their traditional cuisine. They like to sit around and play cards and have their sip of country liquor or at least tea or coffee. They celebrate their festivals Onam, Vishu, Christmas, Easter, Bakrid, and Muharram. The temples, mosques, and churches are a part of their lives. There is harmony between people of different religious faiths. Keralites are also highly politically conscious and they will fight and argue for their respective political parties-- Communists, Congress, Kerala Congress or Muslim League and various outfits of two main fronts-- the United Democratic Front and the Left Democratic Front. No Keralite will pass a day without reading the daily newspaper, and nowadays without watching the news on TV.
The diaspora is now spread throughout the world. Their remittances from the Gulf and other foreign countries in Europe, America, Africa, South East Asia and Australia, have helped to fuel the economic development of this region. Today the State’s development on many fronts --literacy, healthcare, housing, education, infrastructure, tourism--is the envy of many of the other States of India. The IT sector has been booming in recent times, while traditional agriculture has been on the wane and industries have closed down mostly because of labor unrest.
While there appears to be all-round economic prosperity for individuals, cracks are appearing on the social fabric of Kerala society, indicative of a social and cultural decline. Recent incidents such as the Jisha rape and murder and the Chengannur NRI murder and the gruesome nature of the crimes involved, indicate a psyche of violence that is emerging that must raise red flags. They are pointers to the weakening of traditional Kerala culture.
PURSUIT OF WEALTH
A new culture is emerging where 'wealth accumulates and men decay', as pointed out by Oliver Goldsmith in 'the deserted village'. Alcoholism, drugs, pornography, violence and crime and also increasing divorce and suicides, are major social issues. Violence and sex in movies appear to have a negative influence on the youth. Marriage as an institution and the family as a cohesive unit, extended family ties or ties to one's village, appear to be on the decline. The exposure to the gun culture of the West is also a social issue to be studied for its impact on society and on youth in particular. Quotation gangs or contract killers and organized crime gangs have emerged in various parts of the State. Sexual liberation with the decline of social taboos and social restraint is leading to divorces, sexual abuses, rape, violence, sexual trafficking, online sex rackets and even murder. Kerala cannot now claim to be a place that is safe for women folk. Even men folk particularly public figures are being victimized through sexual blackmailing by women of easy virtue. With many Keralites working abroad, the major focus of Keralites has become the pursuit of wealth by hook or by crook and exhibition of wealth as a mark of social status.
DECLINING VALUES
Not giving adequate attention to a basic value system is having an adverse social impact. Kerala is a region where traditional religions Hinduism, Islam and Christianity are strong. Religions appear to be focusing on material prosperity (of those in authority), accumulation of wealth for the institutions and advocating pomp and show in the place of simple living and high thinking. Public advocacy of each religion and rite's superiority is leading to the division of society on communal lines. Religions appear to give emphasis on rites and rituals instead of promoting social and individual values and the larger cause of humanity that should lead to universal brotherhood, peace, tolerance and social order.
Political and bureaucratic corruption, abuse of authority by everyone in authority including religious authority, corporate and business frauds and widespread violence in society, appear to have become the order of the day. Democratic values are given scant regard. Respect for law and order irrespective of social status, position or authority, is yet to seep into the social psyche. Education has lost its sobering impact and teachers have lost their dignity and influence.
STEMMING THE TIDE
How to stem the tide is the challenge that must be faced by all, particularly the youth, who have to shape their destiny in a new world order.
-Ponnoly
A UNIQUE CULTURE
A unique Kerala culture has evolved over centuries as a result of interactions with foreigners and arising from a flourishing maritime trade with the Egyptians, Romans, Phoenicians, Arabs and the Chinese. From the fifteenth century onward, the region saw colonization by the Portuguese, the Dutch and also the British. Kerala, also known as ‘spice country’, attracted the foreigners who came in search of various spices such as pepper, cardamom, cinnamon, nutmeg, chilli, ginger, nutmeg and cloves. Ivory and timber from the forests also attracted foreigners.
The cosmopolitan outlook and character of the people have made Keralites friendly, jovial, highly sociable, helpful, informal and concerned about others. Keralites are a hardworking people and wherever they are they will send money to their families and friends and visit their native State and villages as often as they can. They love their music, dance and movies and their traditional cuisine. They like to sit around and play cards and have their sip of country liquor or at least tea or coffee. They celebrate their festivals Onam, Vishu, Christmas, Easter, Bakrid, and Muharram. The temples, mosques, and churches are a part of their lives. There is harmony between people of different religious faiths. Keralites are also highly politically conscious and they will fight and argue for their respective political parties-- Communists, Congress, Kerala Congress or Muslim League and various outfits of two main fronts-- the United Democratic Front and the Left Democratic Front. No Keralite will pass a day without reading the daily newspaper, and nowadays without watching the news on TV.
The diaspora is now spread throughout the world. Their remittances from the Gulf and other foreign countries in Europe, America, Africa, South East Asia and Australia, have helped to fuel the economic development of this region. Today the State’s development on many fronts --literacy, healthcare, housing, education, infrastructure, tourism--is the envy of many of the other States of India. The IT sector has been booming in recent times, while traditional agriculture has been on the wane and industries have closed down mostly because of labor unrest.
While there appears to be all-round economic prosperity for individuals, cracks are appearing on the social fabric of Kerala society, indicative of a social and cultural decline. Recent incidents such as the Jisha rape and murder and the Chengannur NRI murder and the gruesome nature of the crimes involved, indicate a psyche of violence that is emerging that must raise red flags. They are pointers to the weakening of traditional Kerala culture.
PURSUIT OF WEALTH
A new culture is emerging where 'wealth accumulates and men decay', as pointed out by Oliver Goldsmith in 'the deserted village'. Alcoholism, drugs, pornography, violence and crime and also increasing divorce and suicides, are major social issues. Violence and sex in movies appear to have a negative influence on the youth. Marriage as an institution and the family as a cohesive unit, extended family ties or ties to one's village, appear to be on the decline. The exposure to the gun culture of the West is also a social issue to be studied for its impact on society and on youth in particular. Quotation gangs or contract killers and organized crime gangs have emerged in various parts of the State. Sexual liberation with the decline of social taboos and social restraint is leading to divorces, sexual abuses, rape, violence, sexual trafficking, online sex rackets and even murder. Kerala cannot now claim to be a place that is safe for women folk. Even men folk particularly public figures are being victimized through sexual blackmailing by women of easy virtue. With many Keralites working abroad, the major focus of Keralites has become the pursuit of wealth by hook or by crook and exhibition of wealth as a mark of social status.
DECLINING VALUES
Not giving adequate attention to a basic value system is having an adverse social impact. Kerala is a region where traditional religions Hinduism, Islam and Christianity are strong. Religions appear to be focusing on material prosperity (of those in authority), accumulation of wealth for the institutions and advocating pomp and show in the place of simple living and high thinking. Public advocacy of each religion and rite's superiority is leading to the division of society on communal lines. Religions appear to give emphasis on rites and rituals instead of promoting social and individual values and the larger cause of humanity that should lead to universal brotherhood, peace, tolerance and social order.
Political and bureaucratic corruption, abuse of authority by everyone in authority including religious authority, corporate and business frauds and widespread violence in society, appear to have become the order of the day. Democratic values are given scant regard. Respect for law and order irrespective of social status, position or authority, is yet to seep into the social psyche. Education has lost its sobering impact and teachers have lost their dignity and influence.
STEMMING THE TIDE
How to stem the tide is the challenge that must be faced by all, particularly the youth, who have to shape their destiny in a new world order.
-Ponnoly
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