The Malayala Manorama , the largest circulated non – English daily newspaper in India [may be even in the Asian sub continent] has a very interesting large size cartoon in the front page on the occasion of the Onam festival in Kerala – It shows every one – all sections of the society in Kerala using a cell phone and Lord Mahabali , the mythical King who represents prosperity and affluence who visits Kerala on this day [ folk lore ] is shown on top of a cell tower with a mobile phone !!
The cartoon not only depicts the mood of Kerala but also the Indian Nation on the whole . But Kerala scores in this metrics [ cell phone penetration] hands down !! . Almost every one uses a cell phone in this literate state [ 96 % literacy] . Kerala is full of paradoxes – Highest human development index in India with a mediocre per capita income ! .Largest population density [over 800 per square Kilometer ] with less than 1% population growth year to year ! Lowest crime rate in India with highest suicide rates ! . Largest readership for print media with the highest superstitious belief systems !
The Keralites were very mobile even in the 70’s and 80’s before the advent of cell phones . They went to the middle east in large numbers bringing prosperity to the state with the highest foreign exchange deposits in the banks . During the 40’s and 50’s many Keralites worked in the tea estates of Ceylon and rubber plantations of Malaya .
The Malayali diaspora maintains their links with the home state culturally wherever they are and celebrates all home grown festivals with gusto in all parts of the world . Kerala Art forms like Kathakali and Mohiniyattam are well known globally .
The state which boasts of one of the best tourist destination in the world branding it as “God’s own country ” with its myriad back waters , lagoons and primary forests is also technology savvy with a large mineral wealth [ rare earths]along its shores . No wonder , the enterprising and hard working young population of this state also symbolizes the latest technology trend – The Mobile Revolution in India !!