December 12, 2009

Why God's Own Country wont be affected by Recession !!!!


For those of you who are not aware of the sobriquet Gods own Country, this is the fancy name given to the south Indian State of Kerala for its mind blowing greenery and natural beauty. By demographic, social and ethical indicators this state can be compared to any of the leading European or Western nations. The state has a population of 31 million and land area of 15,000 Sq. Miles. This gives you a brief idea about our destination and chief protagonist.

Now coming to the more important aspect of the topic why god's own country will not be affected by recession. Now iam in a dilemma on the context of the post, should i grind the hidden economist in me and explain the phenomena with some financial indicators and situational analysis or should i try to be candy about the normal practices in the state.

This is a place that works on its own terms which has evolved its own type of economy called the "Kerala Model". The state has had 80 days of harthal in the first six months of last year and generally it is a mood of lax and absence. The industry is generally dominated by agriculture, tourism and fishing in the order of importance. Then there is the most important, silent and turnover intensive segment of real estate. In the real estate market price for the property depends upon various invisible factors which doesn't justify the cost benefit ratio and value of investment.

Another important characteristic and unique aspect for "Kerala model" is the number of non residents from the state (approx. 2.5 million). They are spread mainly across the oil rich sheikdoms specialising in various types of jobs from cafeteria owners to CEO's of billion dollar companies .

As a whole the state receives around 240 Billion INR every year through overseas remittance . This is far more than the states expenditure during the same period. So the kerala economy does not depend on manufacturing, service sector or outsourcing. These are the main sectors which will be affected by the recession. The driving sector of the economy like agriculture will get a boost in this era when primary segments will be boosted, promoted and highly in demand. So on one side the major industry is getting an unexpected boom and inward remittance is far higher than ever thanks to the highly favourable exchange rates.

It is not that jobless gulf dependant malayalees are bothered about recession or job losses. When you have dinars, riyals, dollars and dirhams flowing in and basic services are highly over priced people are not bothered about any global phenomenas. An average hartalee spends only 6-8 hours of working with amble gaps and rest hours. With 5 working days and weekend ceremonies like marriages, receptions, parties etc. etc. people are a happy lot.

The conclusion of this wandering post is that when there is no production why will there be recession. When you already are jobless you cannot risk loosing it. The same hartalees when they become non residents are ready to work 12-15 hour shifts without breaks and holidays. So it is not the inherent characteristic of the average malayalee, it has got something to do with the environment, attitude and political system. The irony is that when the whole world is concerned with layoffs and production cuts Kerala has welcomed the new year with aharthal on the 1st of January.

P.S Sorry for wandering from our topic, it was unintentional, expecting comments and reviews.

ANY RESEMBLANCE OF CHARACTERS OR SITUATIONS IN THE POST TO ANYONE ALIVE OR DEAD IS PURELY COINCIDENTAL. IF ANYTHING SAID OR MEANT IN THE POST HURTS ANY ONES BELIEFS OR FEELINGS IT IS PURELY UNINTENTIONAL AND APOLOGIZE IN ADVANCE.
Addendum
This post has been posted on this blog on a previous date and it is being brought back taking into consideration its relevance today and my mounting lethargy which keeps me away from regular blogging.

1 comment:

  1. touche bro !!!!!!

    kick the commies out .. save the state !!!!

    ReplyDelete