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“WHY KERALA, GRAMPA?” is a 90min documentary film about activism in one of the most progressive communities on the planet.
Bill McKibben has written about Kerala: “This small state in India, though not much larger than Maryland, has a population as large as California’s and a per capita annual income of less than $300. Its infant mortality rate is low, its literacy rate among the highest on Earth, and its birthrate below America’s and falling faster. Kerala’s citizens live nearly as long as Americans or Europeans. Statistically Kerala stands out as the Mount Everest of social development; there’s truly no place like it.” Citizen’s of Kerala are guaranteed affordable healthcare and daycare. Public education is free through college. Fair share food stores within walking distance in every village and town assures that no one goes hungry. At the heart of Kerala’s success is citizen activism.
Kerala, one of India’s 26 states, has almost the same population as California. Every citizen has health care and free public education through college. Kerala’s birth rate is one of lowest on the planet. Its literacy rate and average life span about the same as the U.S. Kerala accomplishes these remarkable achievments in an economy (GDP) that is about 1/70th the size of California’s. Plans for roads, schools, cooperatives, clinics and every imaginable enterprise to make life better for all are developed by the community in ward gatherings in which every citizen has a vote. Every rupee spent for a project is posted on a board at the project site. Since the inception of ‘peoples planning’ in 1996 more than a million homes have been built for the homeless. The accomplishments boggle the imagination.
Take this opportunity to see and discuss the film.