The New Indian Express (Kerala), 26 April 2004
Keralites Running Scared of the Market
The state of the State has its roots, not in irrelevant intellectuals strutting from stage to stage.
By ASHOK R CHANDRAN
Dr. Ashok has rightly highlighted the need for value addition at the
workplace and a more trade-friendly Kerala in today's globalised
economy.
Even if one does not share his 'end of ideology' perspective of
contemporary
international order or his technology-centred diagnosis of Kerala's
economic
backwardness, none can dispute his argument that the maladjusted
Malayali
intellectual (withdrawing into "ideological refugeeship") has offered an
inadequate response to Kerala's developmental concerns.
Yet, even as we revel in bashing Malayali intellectuals,
especially literary emperors who pose as fountains of economic
intellect, we must not fail to observe that the state of the State has
its roots, not in irrelevant intellectuals strutting from stage to
stage, (or in "paranoid opposition to technology") but in the mental
map of the Malayali. The Keralite - be he an intellectual or a humbler
mortal - is running scared of the 'market', probably (and fully
justified if you ask me) because of the uncertainty and insecurity that
come attached.
Call it globalisation, capitalism, or the market, this
"ruthless" alternative will ask the Malayali to work well to earn well.
Of course, the Malayali, notably in other lands, has demonstrated that
he can handle competition, accountability and uncertainty. But, as long
as it lasts, if you can earn well without working well, if you can
enjoy life without worrying about next year's salary, why, it is very
heaven...er...God's Own Country.
Instead of trying to resist the market, if the Malayali plays in the market - by competing to offer a better product or service - Kerala can succeed with creativity and hard work, and without intellectuals.
Ignore economists. Can a region develop if the workplace does not reward those who work well? How long can a man work if he is not meeting the needs of a customer? Instead of trying to resist the market, if the Malayali plays in the market - by competing to offer a better product or service - Kerala can succeed with creativity and hard work, and without intellectuals.The problem with Kerala's learned men is that they - including Mr.Justice, Dr.Scientist, and Prof.Litterateur - driven by their disdain for the market, unwittingly end up as cheerleaders for the lazy, the corrupt and vested interests in a patronage-based system. Is it because they, having spent a good part of their lives drawing from the Treasury, have never had to bother about competition and accountability? Or is it because these feted icons have never had to beg the attendant at the nearby government hospital to push the stretcher trolley to save a dear one's life?
Ah! Yes! The development primer. Since Kerala's intellectuals appear proficient in theory, can we have it in DPEP style please? Lesson 1: A Visit to the Hospital.
RELATED LINKS
Dr. B. Ashok's article (.pdf)
More newspaper articles by the author
Contact the Author
Copyright © 2004 The New Indian Express