George Kurian: Keralites' false pride hindering the State's growth

George Kurian, from Kanakkari Nambiyakulam in Kottayam, is one of the two Malayali faces in the third Modi cabinet. He serves as the Minister of State for Minorities, Fisheries, Dairying, and Animal Husbandry and is a Rajya Sabha member from Madhya Pradesh.

In addition to his legal career, George Kurien has held various organisational roles in the BJP over the past three and a half decades. He was Vice Chairman of the National Minorities Commission before being appointed as a Union Minister at the age of 64. He also served as Officer on Special Duty to O. Rajagopal, the Minister of State for Railways in the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government until 2004.

In this exclusive interview with Dhanam Business Media, Union Minister of State George Kurian discusses the need for Kerala society to let go of its pride around the ‘dignity of work.’

"Our biggest mental block is the 'dignity of work.' This is the primary factor driving our youth to leave Kerala. Our people go abroad and work for low wages, but we must acknowledge that this is an unhealthy economic order and correct it. What sustains Kerala now is the remittances sent by those working abroad, but this won’t last forever. We need to anticipate that,” says the Minister of State.    

Q. What is your vision for Kerala's development?

A. It can only be assessed in relation with India's overall development. The current situation cannot be looked at in the same manner when we were termed a poor country or a third world country. Today, India is the fifth largest economy in the world. That reflects the economic power of the country. Now, efforts are on to transform India into a developed country with the help of that economic power which is converted into increased per capita income of each citizen.

The fact that we have reached the fifth position does not mean we have become a developed country. See, Britain, previously in the fifth position, was a developed country. But their population is only five crores. We have 145 crore people, and we are a vast country. We must divide our collective power among all the citizens to increase their per capita income.

It is said that India will become the third largest economy in a few years. But before that we must achieve the per capita status required of the fifth largest economy. That effort should happen all over India. That should happen in Kerala also, keeping pace with the central government’s efforts. That change is visible in Kerala and all other states. Only from that perspective can we talk about development.

If any part of India lags in development, it cannot be part of the country’s overall development. So, the development of the northeast region was taken up first. Infrastructure development has taken place there. After that, the priority was Kashmir and infrastructure development took place there on a large scale. Employment opportunities came up. Income increased. That is why, in a political perspective, 60 percent voting took place in the elections. The next priority is development of states like Bihar. As a part of such development, it will also take place in Kerala. There is no question of Kerala not being part of it. The Centre will help Kerala in every way. I believe the state government is also changing in line with that.

Q. What should be the priority sector for Kerala's development?

A. It is the NRI remittances that props up Kerala. Those remittances will not last long. There is a limit to immigration. We are reaching that limit. Immigration is limited to what a country can absorb. The income of those who have migrated there will also decrease. When it happens, those who have gone abroad will have to sell their property here and take that money there. Investments and remittances to India will stop. To meet that situation, without depending on income from abroad we should increase production in various sectors in whatever ways that we can. It can be in the service sector; it can be tourism. It can be in the agricultural sector. We have a monopoly in spices sector. So, the point is to undertake development in a way that suits Kerala. The per capita income can be increased that way. The purchasing power of the people will increase. Naturally, production will increase in the country. That will lead to more development. Kerala can develop that way. There is no specific way for it. What is important is to do whatever is possible. It will not be practical if we advocate focusing on agricultural production. Whichever sector is best suited to increase per capita income, we should shift focus to that.

Q. How do you assess the 'Kerala Model' of development?

A. We usually look at it based on our Human Resource Development Index. In 1950, our literacy rate was more than 50 percent. Many developed countries did not have that much literacy at that point of time. In 1997, New York's literacy rate was 60 percent. The traditional Malayali identity, or the nature of acquiring knowledge, as we call it, began during the time of Shankaracharya, who traversed the place on foot. Our Gurukul system is another example. Our social reformers taught each community like a head of the family. Thus, traditionally we have progressed in the fields of education and health. It cannot be said that the current generation has destroyed it. People of a country have the right to decide the mode of progress. The governments elected by them decide that. While maintaining all that, current development processes should be supported. Kerala’s education system is good. If we denigrate Kerala's education and the youth, it will hurt our own generation. There is nothing wrong with our children, or our education and the quality of our youth.

Now the world has become a global village. Whatever the language we speak, we can go everywhere. We are living in competitive times. The neighbouring states that appear overtly friendly will take advantage of the opportunity. It is the responsibility of every political worker and every family to uphold the dignity of our education and our youth. Otherwise, they will lag in a competitive environment.

Q. What are the obstacles to Kerala's development? How do you look at young people leaving Kerala, a greying State, which is dependent on labourers from other States?

A. We discussed the decline in remittances. The Malayalees are egoistic when it comes to what work they do. They have no hesitation in going to the Gulf and working there for Rs. 15,000 [per month]. But the same people don’t hesitate to hire labourers from other states at Rs. 1,200 a day. This must stop. There must be an end to looking down on labourers. Daily wagers are the ones who enjoy maximum freedom in Kerala. They get Rs. 1,000-1,200 [per day]. Working time is fixed. There is flexibility about when you want to work. But our youth who go abroad must work harder than this in the initial stages. However, working there has ‘dignity.’

In fact, our biggest mental block is 'dignity of work'. That is the biggest factor behind young Keralites leaving the state. This ego that has evolved on its own must be crushed. Destroying this ego will generate more human resources. If that is sustained, we will move forward in all areas, including production, business, and services. The biggest problem of Kerala today is the drain on human resources. We are dependent on external remittances and falling behind in progress. Perhaps the younger generation will be able to change that ego. If that happens, I do not think there will be a problem in Kerala’s development.

Q. Is Kerala losing out on central share because of the progress it has already attained in many areas? There was sharp criticism that Kerala did not get its due share in the central budget, while Andhra Pradesh and Bihar got more consideration this time…

A. The concept of ‘due central share’ has changed. The central share for overall development is being distributed everywhere. Efforts are on to increase per capita income and thereby enable development. We have the resources for that. The old budget system has changed. Moreover, schemes worth thousands of crores of rupees are being implemented now. Along with that, special steps are being taken to gradually bring those who have been lagging, such as the Northeast, Kashmir, Bihar, etc. to the forefront.

There is no point in blaming them. Financial help is reaching everywhere through big schemes. Through my department, huge funds are being given to Kerala under the development projects for harbours. Various schemes like that are being implemented. Infrastructure development gets more attention. The old concept of budget allocation will have to be changed at all costs.

The biggest problem with Kerala is the false concept that 'debt is our capital'. To argue that borrowing is a right is as good as partnering the efforts to destroy the economic foundation. One can understand if you say you are ready to invest this much and need the support of the centre. It is wrong to demand loans to pay salaries, that we should give loans for everything. No one can progress, using debt as capital. The State must find ways to generate revenue. As mentioned earlier, human resources should be utilized without any drain to increase production.

The biggest issue in Kerala is 'manpower' or human resources. Land is left to fallow. There are no people to work in shops and establishments. We are depending on outsiders for everything. Our people go out to work for less than them. That is a bad financial system. The government alone cannot solve this problem. The society’s attitude must change. If the situation is not corrected, in 25 years, all our villages will become deserted. They will be overrun with weed. It is not that the situation will be like that everywhere, but at least 10 percent of the land will be in that condition. To prevent that, the government should take over all the land of those who have gone abroad and create a land bank. It should be utilized for business, factories, IT, etc. and the private sector. If acres of land are available in Kerala, investment will come. Didn't Kerala come out on top in ease of doing business? It is possible through the joint efforts of the Centre and the State. Even now, thousands of acres of land belonging to the private and public sector institutions that are shut down are there in all the districts. Didn't you see that when it came to AIIMS, all the districts came forward saying that they are ready to give land? Invite those who can utilize the land lying idle to Kerala. Respect those who show interest. Even while maintaining employment and human rights, we can move forward by creating a special economic zone which is free of any other problem. Sloganeering alone won’t suffice.

Other States keep party politics aside while approaching the Centre for their development. They may be squabbling with each other but are united when it comes to development. We are unable to think like that. When there is a generational change, maybe the future generation will act in that way.

Q. It is said that the new generation is becoming apolitical...

A. That is not true. At least 65 percent of the population is under 35. Most of them are politically conscious. They accurately observe the current scenario. It is clear from how they respond to issues. I have had the opportunity to understand their opinion from various surveys. They will try to learn more about their areas of interest. The subject of science and technology is something that relates to their future. They will read it and do accurate studies. They have well defined objectives. They pay attention to art, literature, etc. Today’s youth listen to Korean and African songs. That is, they enjoy pure music. It gives great relaxation to the mind. Isn't sports interesting to the young? They observe politics. No party can claim monopoly over them. They go deep into the issues and take a stand. They support those who do good and bring development. It should not be seen as the growth of apolitical mindset. The youth today are very modern and evolved. Only a few go astray. The youth are leaving Kerala because of circumstances. The white-collar mentality that is rooted here must change. If that can be brought about, the youth will stay here. They are not averse to doing a job. That is why they go out and take up any job.

Q.  As a Union Minister, what do you want to do for Kerala?

A. My mission is to work for the dairy-agri-fisheries sector and labourers, keeping minority welfare in focus. There are many central schemes for this. There are schemes that are implemented by sharing the funds between the Centre and the state.

I will do everything I can as a minister for the overall development of Kerala. The situation here is that if some development happens, and the credit goes to the opponent, someone will jump in and stop it. This is a disservice to the next generation. Change it. What is important is that the State should develop. For that, we should unite and implement schemes like what is happening in other States. Let us convince the people first and then compete to get the credit for that. Let those who can convince get the credit. Then a good political culture will evolve. Every project is intended for the country, which government implemented it will be forgotten in time. Anyways, along with everyone, I am there to work for the development of Kerala.

(This interview was earlier published in Dhanam Business Magazine)