Can We Manipulate EVMs to Change the Outcome of Elections?

The integrity of electronic voting machines (EVMs) has been a topic of intense debate and scrutiny. Madhav Deshpande, a respected EVM expert, has sparked significant concern by asserting that while EVMs cannot be hacked due to their lack of internet connectivity, they are vulnerable to manipulation. Deshpande, a former CEO of Tulip Software and a consultant to the Obama administration, provided both a diagnosis of the problem and practical solutions in a detailed interview with Karan Thapar.

Understanding the Vulnerabilities:

EVMs, which include the ballot unit, control unit, and the voter-verified paper audit trail (VVPAT) machine, were first introduced in India in the early 2000s. Deshpande explained that these machines are “under-designed” and rely on outdated technology that has not been updated to incorporate advancements made since their inception. This has resulted in systemic weaknesses that could potentially allow for tampering.

Key Points of Manipulation:

1. VVPAT Configuration:

The VVPAT machine, which provides a paper trail of votes cast, is placed between the ballot unit and the control unit. This configuration can be exploited to alter the recorded vote. If the connection between these units is interfered with, it could lead to discrepancies between the votes cast and the votes recorded.

2. Control Unit Vulnerabilities:

The control unit, which tallies the votes, can theoretically be replaced or pre-loaded with votes. Since any control unit can work with any ballot unit, this opens the door to substitution of the control unit either before or after voting to manipulate the results.

Proposed Solutions:

Deshpande suggested simple and cost-effective remedies to safeguard against these vulnerabilities:

Effective Pairing: Ensuring that each ballot unit and control unit are paired with a unique serial cable to prevent substitution.

Geolocation Tracking: Attaching a GPS device to the EVMs (without integrating it electronically) to track their movements and ensure they do not go astray.

Case Studies and Allegations:

1. Kerala Mock Poll Incident:

During a mock poll in Kasargod, allegations were made that EVMs registered extra votes in favour of the BJP. Kerala Chief Electoral Officer Sanjay Kaul attributed this to a ‘procedural mistake’. However, the Supreme Court directed the Election Commission to investigate these claims, which the Commission dismissed.

2. Supreme Court Involvement:

The Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) filed a petition before the Supreme Court in 2023, advocating for cross-verification of EVM votes with VVPAT slips to ensure election integrity. Despite evidence of discrepancies in the 2019 elections, the Supreme Court took five years to address the issue, raising concerns about the oversight and accountability of the Election Commission.

Data-Driven Proof of Manipulation:

Evidential data from the 2019 Lok Sabha elections highlighted significant discrepancies between the number of votes polled and those counted across several constituencies:

Kancheepuram: EC data reported 12,14,086 votes polled but 12,32,417 votes counted, a surplus of 18,331 votes.

Dharmapuri: 11,94,440 votes polled versus 12,12,311 counted, a surplus of 17,871 votes.

Sriperumbudur: 13,88,666 votes polled against 14,03,178 counted, a surplus of 14,512 votes.

Mathura: 10,88,206 votes polled versus 10,98,112 counted, a surplus of 9,906 votes.

These discrepancies underline the necessity for robust mechanisms to ensure the accuracy and transparency of the electoral process.

Expert Opinions and Public Sentiment:

Retired IAS officer M.G. Devasahayam has been a vocal critic of the current EVM system, advocating for a return to ballot papers which he deems the “gold standard of electoral democracy.” Devasahayam argues that the lack of end-to-end verifiability in the current system undermines voter confidence. Public opinion mirrors this sentiment, with a pre-poll survey by The Hindu and CSDS-Lokniti revealing that 50% of respondents distrusted EVMs.

Technological and Security Concerns:

One of the core issues with EVMs is their reliance on outdated technology. Deshpande and other experts have emphasized the need for regular technological upgrades to ensure security. While earlier concerns about ballot paper systems included booth capturing and ballot stuffing, modern advancements in surveillance and communication technology could mitigate these risks. However, electronic manipulation remains a significant concern due to the potential for remote interference.

International Perspective:

Globally, many democracies that experimented with electronic voting have reverted to paper ballots. This shift underscores the importance of verifiable and transparent voting processes. Countries such as Germany and the Netherlands have moved back to paper ballots after facing challenges with electronic systems.

Conclusion:

The possibility of EVM manipulation, though not hacking, poses a substantial threat to the integrity of democratic elections. Madhav Deshpande’s insights provide a clear path for safeguarding EVMs against tampering through straightforward and affordable solutions. With elections approaching, it is imperative for the Election Commission to act swiftly to implement these measures and restore public trust in the electoral process. Failure to address these vulnerabilities could lead to widespread doubts about the legitimacy of election outcomes, undermining the foundation of democracy itself.

References

Deshpande, M. (2024). Interview with Karan Thapar. YouTube Video.

Warrier, S. (2024). EVMs: Are They Really Reliable? Interview with M.G. Devasahayam. Rediff.com. Retrieved from Rediff.com.

The Quint. (2019). Lok Sabha Election Results 2019: Mismatch in Votes Polled and Counted in EVM on Multiple Seats. The Quint.

The Hindu and CSDS-Lokniti. (2024). Pre-poll Survey. The Hindu.

Association for Democratic Reforms. (2023). Petition for Cross-Verification of EVM Votes with VVPAT Slips. ADR India.

The Disparity Between GDP and Per Capita Prosperity Under the BJP Government

As an amateur but skilled economic analyst and a certified Master Black Belt Lean6Sigma expert, I deeply entrenched in the dialectics of improvement and efficiency, one cannot help but view the economic landscape through a critical lens, especially when it pertains to the stewardship of a nation's wealth. The BJP, which currently holds the reins of India’s ruined central government, often touts the country's robust Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth as a testament to its economic fortitude. However, from an economist’s perspective, this narrative requires dissection beyond surface-level aggregates to address the stark contrast with GDP per capita — a measure that provides insight into the equitable distribution of economic gains among the populace.

GDP as a metric fails to capture the distributional aspects of economic growth. India's GDP ranks high globally, a fact that is brandished with pride, suggesting a strong economic trajectory. Yet, this figure is a mirage obscuring the view of those whose hands till the soil but whose brows remain furrowed with hardship. With a colossal population, India's GDP per capita — an average income per person — tells a more sombre tale. It is a figure that, when viewed through a socialist lens, highlights the gross inequalities that pervade the subcontinent.

From my standpoint, the essence of a nation's strength lies not in the wealth it accumulates but in how it allocates this wealth. Here, the BJP's narrative falters, as the per capita figure reveals the inequitable distribution of India's economic growth. Millions still grapple with poverty, inadequate healthcare, and subpar education systems, while a small section of society enjoys the fruits of the GDP. It reminds us the recent election bond scam! 

The critique extends beyond mere economic metrics to the very ethos of governance. The claim of national strength peddled by the BJP is scrutinised against the anvil of social justice, where it is found wanting. The gap between the haves and have-nots widens, and the mantra of progress sounds increasingly hollow to those in the penumbra of prosperity.

To some, this discourse might seem an indictment of progress; to others, it is a clarion call for introspection. Can a government truly claim to be successful if its booming economy does not translate into the upliftment of its entire populace? From the purview of socialist ideology, which emphasises collective welfare, the BJP’s narrative on India’s economic strength is a half-told tale, skimming over the chapters of disparity and social struggle.

We truly need to implore a re-evaluation of what it means to be powerful in an economic sense. True strength, from this vantage point, is reflected in a nation's ability to forge an equitable society where prosperity is not an exclusive garden but a field that blooms for all. The BJP government's economic narrative must reconcile with the lived realities of India's people, where numbers in a report translate to nourishment on the plate, education in the mind, and wellbeing in the body. Only then can we claim, with empirical and moral certainty, the title of a strong nation. 

India's Growth Story: A Tale of Contradictions and Missed Opportunities

India’s much-touted 8.4% GDP growth paints a deceptive picture of economic progress. Beneath the surface lies a deeply troubling reality: a government whose urban-centric policies are pushing India's vast rural population further into poverty, exacerbating inequality, and fuelling dangerous social polarisation.

A Tale of Two Indias

The government's focus on urban development and manufacturing is evident in its latest budget. Food subsidies have been slashed by 3.3%, fertiliser subsidies have seen reductions, and capital expenditure remains essentially unchanged. This approach, framed as fiscal prudence, represents a dangerous gamble. It sacrifices the well-being of rural communities in the hope that manufacturing gains will somehow offset the pain.

This gamble is based on flawed logic. As former Planning Commission member Pronab Sen argues, investment alone cannot sustain growth. Healthy consumption is vital, yet India's consumption growth rate languishes around 3.5%. This starkly contrasts with the expected three-fold return for every rupee invested, calling into question the long-term sustainability of the current economic trajectory.

The Price of Progress

The government's relentless focus on urban development and manufacturing comes at a steep cost. Slashed food and fertiliser subsidies are a direct attack on the livelihoods of millions of farmers and agricultural workers. These cuts, coupled with stagnant capital expenditure, reveal a disturbing disregard for the backbone of the Indian economy – its rural sector. This misguided approach ignores the fundamental principle that healthy consumption is the lifeblood of sustainable growth. India's anaemic consumption growth rate underscores this failure. The divergence between GDP and GVA figures, driven by increased taxes and withdrawn subsidies, suggests the government is artificially inflating growth numbers to mask the economic hardship faced by ordinary Indians.

When Numbers Don't Add UpAdditional warning signs lie in the divergence between GDP and Gross Value Added (GVA) figures. The latter is a better indicator of the economy's productive capacity. This divergence, driven by increased taxes and withdrawn subsidies, suggests that growth may be artificially propped up, masking a grim reality for average citizens. The elephant in the room is India's obscene level of economic inequality.

The most glaring consequence of these policies is the obscene level of economic inequality. Recent reports indicate that India's top 10% hold over 57% of the country's total wealth, a shocking figure highlighting the chasm between the haves and have-nots. This concentration of wealth perpetuates a cycle where the rich get richer, and those at the bottom struggle to survive. Such disparity breeds resentment, instability, and increasingly, a dangerous trend of polarisation and racism within Indian society.

The Talent Exodus

The government's failure to create sufficient, well-paying jobs is driving India's most talented and skilled workers to seek opportunities abroad. According to the Ministry of External Affairs, over 13.6 million Indians reside outside the country. While precise state-level data is hard to come by, the overall trend is clear. India suffers from a significant "brain drain," with skilled professionals opting for better prospects in countries that value their contributions. This exodus represents a tremendous loss of human capital. It robs India of potential innovators, entrepreneurs, and leaders who could play a crucial role in building a truly inclusive and prosperous future.

The Need for a New Approach

Government spending has fuelled some growth, but the upcoming push to reduce the fiscal deficit will likely slam the brakes on this avenue. Private consumption needs to compensate, yet it's hamstrung by income inequality and a lack of opportunity for the majority. Job creation is the key – good jobs that generate decent incomes, boosting spending power and fuelling a virtuous cycle.

 

The current government seems to lack a coherent strategy to capitalise on India's greatest asset: its massive, hardworking population. Instead of empowering domestic industries like textiles, where jobs could be plentiful, we see India losing ground to smaller competitors like Vietnam.

 

Time for a Reckoning

India's economic model is fundamentally broken. Instead of fostering broad-based development, the government seems intent on benefiting a privileged minority at the expense of the majority. This approach is not only morally reprehensible but also economically unsustainable.

India has the potential to be an economic powerhouse, but only if it harnesses the potential of its entire population. This requires a dramatic course correction:

• Prioritise Rural Development: Invest in agriculture, rural infrastructure, and programs that empower communities and create opportunities at the local level.
• Foster Inclusive Growth: Implement policies that promote equitable wealth distribution, progressive taxation, and robust social safety nets.
• Stem the Brain Drain: Create an environment where skilled workers see a future for themselves in India. This means competitive salaries, opportunities for advancement, and a focus on innovation.
• Combat Polarisation: Promote a culture of tolerance, inclusion, and respect for India's diverse communities. Hold accountable those who spread hatred and division.

India's impressive GDP growth is a hollow victory when vast numbers of its citizens are left behind. True progress will only be achieved when all Indians, regardless of background or origin, have a genuine chance to prosper.

Healing Hands in Danger: The Plight of Violence Against Doctors

Doctors are healers, with hands that mend

But sadly, we face violence in the end

They work hard to cure the sick and frail

But some people's actions are beyond the pale

Doctor’s job is to save lives, to ease the pain

But their efforts are often met with disdain

Assaults on doctors are becoming a trend

A grave injustice that we must attend

The Hippocratic Oath they take to heart

A promise to do their best from the start

But when violence occurs, it breaks them apart

Their passion for healing becomes a lost art

We must protect our doctors, who care for us all

And ensure their safety, so they can answer the call

Violence against them is an affront to us all

Let's stand together and answer the call

For doctors are your guardians, your protectors in need

“You must show us the respect we truly deserve to receive”

Let's unite in this cause, and put an end to this violence

So the doctors can heal and restore our reliance

New COVID Variant on WHO's Radar Causing Itchy Eyes in Kids - Times of India

A new COVID-19 variant that recently landed on the World Health Organization's radar may cause previously unseen symptoms in children, according to a new report. 

While the variant, called "Arcturus," hasn't yet made the CDC's watchlist, a prominent pediatrician in India is seeing children with "itchy" or "sticky" eyes, as if they have conjunctivitis or pinkeye, according to  The Times of India. 

The new itchy eye symptom is in addition to kids having a high fever and cough, Vipin Vashishtha, MD, said on Twitter, noting that pediatric COVID cases have picked up there for the first time in 6 months.

The country has also seen a rise in another virus among children with similar symptoms, called adenovirus. COVID and adenovirus cannot be distinguished without testing, and many parents don't want to have their children tested because the swabs are uncomfortable, The Times of India reported. One doctor told the newspaper that among every 10 kids with COVID-like symptoms, two or three of them had tested positive on a COVID test taken at home.

Health officials in India are doing mock drills this week to check how prepared the country's hospitals are as India sees cases rise, the BBC reported. India struggled during a COVID-19 surge in 2021, at which time sickened people were seen lying on sidewalks outside overflowing hospitals, and reports surfaced of a black market for private citizens to buy oxygen. 

Arcturus (formally, Omicron subvariant XBB.1.16) made news 2 weeks ago as it landed on the WHO's radar after surfacing in India. A WHO official called it "one to watch." The Times of India reported that 234 new cases of XBB.1.16 were included in the country's latest 5,676 new infections, meaning the subvariant accounts for 4% of new COVID cases.

India’s Nuclear Power plants hacked !

After denying reports of a system malware infection Tuesday, the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) admitted yesterday that it had indeed been hacked.

“Identification of malware in NPCIL system is correct,” read a Wednesday statement. “The matter was conveyed by CERT-In [India’s national computer emergency response team] when it was noticed by them on September 4, 2019.”

Big Hack

The hack represents yet another example of broad infosec vulnerabilities in critical power systems. Hacker groups have previously infiltrated power grids in Europe and North America in the past. In 2017, hackers targeted nuclear facilities in the U.S. as well.

“The investigation revealed that the infected PC belonged to a user who was connected in the internet connected network for administrative purposes,” the statement read. It also claimed the hack was “isolated from the critical internal network,” and that plant systems were not affected.

North Korean Malware

The malware identified as a version of “Dtrack,” which is backdoor trojan software reportadly developed by the Lazarus Group, North Korea’s state-owned hacking unit. It was first discovered by the Kaspersky Global Research and Analysis Team in September and can be used to upload and download files to target systems.

And there may other targets as well. Threat analyst Pukhraj Singh, who reported the breach to India’s National Cyber Security Coordinator, called the malware attack a “casus belli” — an act of war — in an interview with Ars Technica thanks to a still unknown “second target, which I can’t disclose as of now.”

READ MORE: Indian nuclear power plant’s network was hacked, officials confirm [Ars Technica]

എന്താണീ 'ബംഗാളികൾ' ഗുജറാത്തിലേയ്ക്ക്‌ പോകാത്തത്‌...?

കുറേ നാളുകളായ് മനസ്സിൽ ഉള്ള ഒരു സംശയമായിരുന്നു.
കേരളത്തിൽ എവിടെ തിരിഞ്ഞൊന്ന്‌ നോക്കിയാലും അവിടെയെല്ലാം ബംഗാളികൾ മാത്രം എന്നാണല്ലോ ഇപ്പോഴത്തെ ആവലാതി. ഈ ബംഗാളി പ്രയോഗം സാമാന്യ വൽക്കരണമാണ്‌. എല്ലാ കൊതുക്‌ തിരിയേയും ‘ഗുഡ്നൈറ്റ്‌’ എന്നു പറയുന്നതുപോലെ...
ഏതാണ്ടെല്ലാ ഉത്തരേന്ത്യൻ സംസ്ഥാനങ്ങളിൽ നിന്നും വന്നിട്ടുളള മറുനാടൻ തൊഴിലാളികളേയും ബംഗാളികളായാണ്‌ അടയാളപ്പെടുത്തുന്നത്‌...
ഉത്തരേന്ത്യക്കാർക്ക്‌ തെക്കേ ഇന്ത്യക്കാരെല്ലാം മദ്രാസികൾ ആയതു പോലെ...
പശ്ചിമ ബംഗാളിൽ നിന്ന്‌ മാത്രമല്ല, മാറി മാറി ദീർഘകാലം ബിജെപിയും കോൺഗ്രസും ഭരിച്ചു കൊണ്ടിരിക്കുന്ന സംസ്ഥാനങ്ങളിൽ നിന്നും ദീർഘദൂരം യാത്രചെയ്തു ധാരാളം തൊഴിലാളികൾ കേരളത്തിൽ എത്തിക്കൊണ്ടിരിക്കുന്നു...
തൊഴിലും മെച്ചപ്പെട്ട കൂലിയും ലഭ്യമായ ദേശങ്ങളിലേയ്ക്കുളള കുടിയേറ്റം, മലയാളികൾക്ക്‌ അന്യമല്ലല്ലോ?
സിലോണിലേക്കും സിംഗപ്പൂരിലേക്കും ഇപ്പോൾ ഗൾഫിലേക്കും പോകുന്നത്‌ മറ്റൊന്നിനുമല്ലല്ലോ? അതു പോലെ, തൊഴിലിനും മെച്ചപ്പെട്ട വേതനത്തിനുമാണ്‌ ഉത്തരേന്ത്യൻ തൊഴിലാളികൾ കേരളത്തിലേക്ക്‌ വരുന്നത്‌...
പക്ഷേ, നാം ശ്രദ്ധിക്കേണ്ടുന്ന വ്യത്യാസം ഇത്‌ ഇന്ത്യയ്ക്ക്‌ പുറത്തേക്കല്ല, ഇന്ത്യയ്ക്കകത്ത്‌ തന്നെയാണെന്നതാണ്‌. അവരുടെ സംസ്ഥാനങ്ങളിൽ ഇല്ലാത്ത ഒരു ഇന്ത്യയെ തേടിയുളള പലായനം...
അവിടെയാണ്‌ എന്റെ സംശയം. അവർ എന്തു കൊണ്ട്‌ കേരളത്തെ തിരഞ്ഞെടുക്കുന്നു?
അടുത്തിടെ ഒരു ആർഎസ്‌എസ്‌ പത്രത്തിൽ വന്ന കേരളത്തിന്റെ ചിത്രം എത്ര ഭീകരമാണ്‌.
ലോകത്തുളള സകല തിന്മയുടേയും കേന്ദ്രം. വികസനം മുരടിച്ച, വർഷം മുഴുവൻ തൊഴിൽ സമരമുളള, അരാജകത്വം വാഴുന്ന, നിരീശ്വരവാദികളും പശുവിറച്ചി തിന്നുന്നതുമായ നീചന്മാരുടെ രാജ്യം...
അസുര രാജ്യം...
അസുര നിഗ്രഹത്തിനായി പല മാന്യന്മാരും സ്വ യം വാമനാവതാരമായി പ്രഖ്യാപിച്ചിരിക്കുകയുമാണല്ലോ?
അപ്പോൾ പിന്നെ എന്റെ സംശയം, ഈ ഭീകര രാജ്യത്തേയ്ക്ക്‌ ദീർഘദൂരം യാത്ര ചെയ്തു ബുദ്ധിമുട്ടാതെ ഈ ഉത്തരേന്ത്യൻ തൊഴിലാളികൾക്ക്‌ ഗുജറാത്തിലേക്ക്‌ പോയാൽ പോരായോ?
എന്താണീ ‘ബംഗാളികൾ’ ഗുജറാത്തിലേക്ക്‌ പോകാത്തത്‌...?
പതിനഞ്ചു വർഷത്തെ മോഡി ഭരണംകൊണ്ട്‌ സംഘപരിവാരികളുടെ ദൃഷ്ടിയിൽ ഇന്ത്യയിൽ വികസനത്തിന്റെ മാതൃകയാണല്ലോ ഗുജറാത്ത്‌.
അങ്ങനെ വികസനം കൊണ്ട്‌ വീർപ്പുമുട്ടി നിൽക്കുന്ന ഗുജറാത്തിലേക്ക്‌, അയൽപക്കത്തു ബിജെപി തന്നെ ഭരിക്കുന്ന രാജസ്ഥാനിൽ നിന്നു പോലും തൊഴിൽ തേടി തൊഴിലാളികൾ കേരളത്തിലേയ്ക്കാണല്ലോ വരുന്നത്‌.
അവരെന്തേ, ഗുജറാത്തിലേക്ക്‌ പോകാത്തത്‌? അവിടെ തൊഴിൽ അവസരങ്ങളില്ലേ?
മാന്യമായി കൂലി ഇല്ലെന്നുണ്ടോ? ഗുജറാത്ത്‌ മോഡൽ വെറും നുണക്കഥയാണോ? ഗുജറാത്തിൽ നിന്നും വ്യത്യസ്ഥമായ എന്ത്‌ ആകർഷണീയതയാണ്‌ കേരളത്തിനുള്ളത്‌?
ആ ചോദ്യത്തിനുള്ള ഉത്തരം കണ്ടെത്തുവാനുള്ള ഉത്തരവാദിത്തം നിങ്ങൾക്ക്‌ വിടുന്നു.
എന്തുകൊണ്ടെന്നാൽ, ഞാൻ പറയുവാൻ ഉദ്ദേശിക്കുന്നത്‌ അനുബന്ധമായ മറ്റൊരു വിഷയമാണ്‌. ഉത്തരേന്ത്യൻ കുഗ്രാമങ്ങളിൽ നിന്നും കേരളത്തിലേയ്ക്കുള്ള ഈ തൊഴിലാളി പ്രവാഹം, ആ ഗ്രാമങ്ങളിൽ സൃഷ്ടിക്കാൻ സാധ്യതയുളള സാമൂഹ്യ മാറ്റത്തെപ്പറ്റിയാണ്‌...
ഒരു തൊഴിലും മാന്യമായ കൂലിയും അന്വേഷിച്ച്‌ കേരളത്തിലെത്തുന്ന ഈ മറുനാടൻ തൊഴിലാളികൾ കേരളത്തിൽ കണ്ടെത്തുന്നത്‌ മറ്റൊരു ഇന്ത്യയാണ്‌.
അവരുടെ ഗ്രാമങ്ങളിൽ അവർ അനുഭവിക്കുകയും അറിയുകയും ചെയ്ത ഇന്ത്യയിൽ നിന്നും തികച്ചും വ്യത്യസ്തമായ ഒരു ഇന്ത്യ...

• ജന്മിമാരെ ഭയക്കാതെ ജീവിക്കാൻ കഴിയുന്നത്‌.
• വഴി നടന്നാൽ തടയുന്ന മനുവാദികളില്ലാത്ത ഇന്ത്യ.
• ജാതി ചോദിക്കാത്ത ഇന്ത്യ.
• ക്ഷേത്രങ്ങളിൽ നിന്നും അവരെ ആട്ടിയോടിക്കാത്ത ഇന്ത്യ.
• മാന്യമായി വസ്ത്രം ധരിക്കാനും പൊതു നിരത്തുകളിലൂടെ ആത്മാഭിമാനത്തോടെ നടക്കാനും കഴിയുന്ന ഇന്ത്യ.
• ചായക്കടകളിൽ അവരെ പുറത്തുനിർത്താത്ത ഇന്ത്യ.
• അവർക്കായി പ്രത്യേകം പാത്രങ്ങളില്ലാത്ത ഹോട്ടലുകളുളള ഇന്ത്യ.
• ചെളി പുരണ്ട്‌ പാടങ്ങളിൽ പണിയെടുക്കുന്ന ബാല്യങ്ങളില്ലാത്ത ഇന്ത്യ.

സാധാരണ തൊഴിലാളികളുടെ കുഞ്ഞുങ്ങൾ ഉത്സാഹത്തോടെ പളളിക്കുടങ്ങളിൽ പോകുന്ന ഇന്ത്യ.
അടിമപ്പണിയും പട്ടിണിയും ദാരിദ്ര്യവും ഇല്ലാത്ത അവരോട്‌ സൗഹൃദം പങ്കുവെയ്ക്കുന്ന ഒരു ഇന്ത്യയെ അവർ കേരളത്തിൽ കണ്ടെത്തുകയാണ്‌.
അവർ നാട്ടിലേക്ക്‌ അയക്കുന്ന പണത്തിനൊപ്പം സ്വന്തം നാട്ടുകാരോടും വീട്ടുകാരോടും അവരുടെ ഗ്രാമങ്ങളിലെ ഇന്ത്യയിൽ നിന്നും വിഭിന്നമായി കേരളത്തിൽ നിലനിൽക്കുന്ന ഇന്ത്യയെപ്പറ്റി പറയാതിരിക്കുകയില്ല...
കേരളത്തിൽ അവർക്കനുഭവവേദ്യമായ മനുഷ്യാവകാശത്തേയും സാമൂഹ്യനീതിയേയും സ്വാതന്ത്ര്യത്തേയും പറ്റി അവർ തീർച്ചയായും പറയുന്നുണ്ടാകും...
ആത്മാഭിമാനത്തോടും സ്വാതന്ത്ര്യത്തോടും തുല്യനീതി അനുഭവിച്ചു ജീവിക്കാൻ കഴിയുന്ന മറ്റൊരു ഇന്ത്യയെപ്പറ്റി അവർക്കെങ്ങനെ പറയാതിരിക്കാൻ സാധിക്കും...
പട്ടിണിയും ദാരിദ്ര്യവും ജാതീയ അവഗണനയും ദൈവഹിതമെന്നും മുൻജന്മപാപത്തിന്റെ വിധി നിയോഗമെന്നും വിശ്വസിപ്പിക്കപ്പെട്ടിരുന്ന ഗ്രാമീണ മനസുകളിൽ ഒരു ചോദ്യം ഉയരാതിരിക്കുകയില്ല.
എന്തുകൊണ്ട്‌, ആ അകലങ്ങളിലെ ഇന്ത്യ തങ്ങളുടെ ഇന്ത്യയിലും സാധ്യമല്ല?
ഇന്ത്യൻ ഗ്രാമങ്ങൾ സ്വാതന്ത്ര്യത്തിനായുളള പോരാട്ടം ആരംഭിക്കുകയാണ്‌...
ജാതിയിൽ നിന്നും ജന്മിത്വത്തിൽ നിന്നും മനുവാദത്തിൽ നിന്നും സംഘപരിവാര ചിന്തകളിൽ നിന്നും പട്ടിണിയിൽ നിന്നും സ്വാതന്ത്ര്യം പ്രഖ്യാപിക്കുന്നു...
സുഹൃത്തേ, നമുക്ക്‌ ഉച്ചത്തിൽ ചിന്തിക്കാം: “എന്തേ അവർ ഗുജറാത്തിലേക്ക്‌ പോകുന്നില്ല...."🤔

Some facts about KERALA, a Southern State in India.

The first state in India to reach 100% literacy rate.

The first beggar-free city (Trivandrum/Thiruvananthapuram) in India is in Kerala.

India’s first ‘Digital State’ -2015

The first state to have 100% banking inclusion - 2007

Second school for girls (1859) unprecedented in the Indian subcontinent after Pune in 1848.

First mosque in India is 629 AD( 7th oldest in the world)- 1st in Mecca, Soudi Arabia, 2nd, 3rd and 4th in Medina, Soudi Arabia, 5th in China and 6th in Somalia.

First church in India (52 AD). Christianity has been in Kerala longer than it has been in Europe. The St. Peters Basilica, Vatican built in 333AD

First synagogue in India - Kochi, Paradesi Synagogue built in 1568
(the oldest active synagogue in the Commonwealth of Nations)

The first state in India to receive rain from the Southwest monsoon :)

UNICEF and the World Health Organization(WHO) designated Kerala the world's first "baby-friendly state"

Listed in world top 5 family destinations by Lonely Planet repeatedly (in 2016 as well)

UN awarded Kerala for its global leadership in creating innovative initiatives for sustainable tourism, (the first time India has ever won the recognition)

Natgeo - Ten Paradises of the world' and '50 of the world's top places to see

Highest Human Development Index in India 0.80 ( National average is 0.609) - 2015

The least corrupted state in India - 2015 survey

India’s cleanest and healthiest state and five of the ten most livable cities in India are in Kerala.

First 100% literacy city in India

The highest literacy rate in India - Male 96.2% and Female 92% (2011 survey)

The highest life expectancy (77yrs)

Forestry cover of Kerala is almost 25-30%

The highest minimum wage in India- the average wage for an unskilled worker is. INR 500per day

The sex ratio (Females more the Males) 1084 females for 1000males

The highest media exposure (99%)

Highest % of elderly (12.6 %)

Cleanest city 2016 -Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) on the basis solid municipal waste management.

Kerala is the first state to implement land reform bills and education reform bills

kerala is the only state in India with the facilities of hospitals in every village

Highest hospitals beds 4 beds per 1000 population

The healthcare in Kerala is the best in India with a patient doctor ratio of 1:700 ( the ideal ratio by WHO is 1:1000) . The National ratio is 1:1700

Highest gold consumption in the World (20 % of India yrly)

Three gold loan companies in Kerala have more precious metal in their vaults than the gold reserves of Singapore, Sweden or Australia.

The highest mobile communications penetration in India

Highest road density in India (5,268.69 km per 1,000 sq km

Highest home ownership (87.5 %)

The highest rural per capita consumption per month

Highest Remittances -40% of india

Rs 1 lakh crore ($14.9 billion) in the third quarter of 2015-16.

Kerala with only 2.76 per cent of Indian population, utilises nearly 15 per cent of the consumer durables in India

The leading destination for luxury cars (13 % sales of premium cars.)

BSNL-Kerala is the highest profit making circle in the country

Ranks second as state with least poverty (Goa is 1) .7% while national average is 21.92%.

Lowest maternal mortality rate.

Lowest Infant mortality rate (12 per 1,000 ) India stands at 44!

Lowest Hunger index -17.66 (India is 23.31.)

The lowest population growth rate.

The least corrupted state.

All the 11 public services are ranked the least corrupt in the country.

25% of India's 15,000 plant species are in Kerala.

Supplies 60% of worlds white coir fibre.

Has the oldest existing martial art form, Kalaripayattu, dates back more than 2500 years

Kerala is the only state in India with specific palliative care policy (Palliative care is an approach that improves the quality of life of patients and their families facing the problem associated with life-threatening illness)

Kerala has only 3% of India's population but It provides two-thirds of India's palliative care services.

The world's oldest teak plantation.

Worlds Longest Teaks are in Kerala.

Worlds Only Teak Museum is in Nilambur, Kerala .

The only drive in Beach in India is Muzhuppilangadi, Kannur, North Kerala

Kerala is also the first 'Open Defecation-free State' in the country.