Manufacturing Sector in Kerala | Overview, Present Condition, Concerns, Government Measures & Way Forward | Kerala Economy for KAS Exam

This article discuss about manufacturing sector or the secondary sector of the economy of Kerala. Here it explains the overview of manufacturing sector in Kerala, its present conditions, concerns in this labour intensive sector, measures taken by Government of Kerala and the sustainable solutions and way forward. This topic is relevant to the Kerala economy syllabus of Kerala Administrative Service examination. The contents are explained as key points.

Overview of Manufacturing Sector in Kerala

• Traditional industries like mat-weaving, handlooms, bamboo products. 
• A textile factory was started at Quilon in 1881. 
• Industrial development of Travancore - Sir C.P. Ramaswamy Iyer. 
• Aluminium Company at Eloor, Travancore Sugars and Chemicals Limited, Ogale Glass Factory, Fertilisers and Chemicals Travancore Limited. 
• Cochin State - coconut oil and textiles - Pushpagiri Weaving Mills started at Thrissur in 1908.
• Malabar – Basel Mission. 
• 1940s - export-oriented plantations and agro-processing industries.
• Traditional industries like cashew, handloom, handicrafts, etc. 
• 1935 to 1948 - 'the golden age' of Kerala's industrial sector.
• 1960s to 1970s - Kerala ceramics, Kerala soap Industry, Trivandrum rubber works, Calicut factory.
• The Kerala Electronic Development Corporation (KELTRON).
• The 1980s is the decade which has the lowest growth in industrial production Kerala State Industrial Development corporation (KSIDC), Kerala Financial Corporation (KFC), Small Industries Development Corporation (SIDCO) 
• Post liberation phase - petroleum products, chemical products, non-metallic minerals, transport equipment and electricity generation.

Comparison : KINFRA, KSIDC & KIFFB

Present Day Condition of Secondary Sector in Kerala

• Relatively low size.
• 12.8 per cent of Kerala's GSVA.
• The manufacturing sector accounted for 18.0 per cent of India's and 29.3 per cent of China's GDP in 2017.

Why there is low manufacturing base in Kerala?

• Not having sufficient capital for starting the business. 
• Meagre amount of public expenditure. 
• Investment in social development. 
• Eco sensitive zones. 
• High population density – increased land price. 
• High cost of production. 
• Labour union activities. Land of strikes & harthals. 
• Focus only cottage industries.

Concerns for Manufacturing Sector in Kerala

• Unemployment. 
• Resulted in out flow of human capital. 
• Low productivity. 
• Limited competition capability. 
• Frequent strikes. 
• Financial problems – red tapism.  
• Lack of demand. 
• Power issues. 
• Transportation, non availability of raw materials.

Measures taken by Government of Kerala to uplift Manufacturing Sector of the State

• Revival of public sector - Steel & Industrial Forgings Limited and The Kerala Minerals & Metals Ltd. - made profitable.
• Industrial corridors. 
• Modernizing traditional sector – e portal – hand loom uniform.
• Startups - UN Innovation Hub – country’s first. 
• Abolition of "Nokkukooli".
• Kerala State Industrial and Commercial Policy 2018.
• KIIFB funding.

Way Forward

• Modernizing the traditional industries – new products – geo textiles.
• Manufacturing food and agro based products – processing of jack fruit, pineapple, banana.
• Utilizing the Gulf returnees – professionals – Dream Kerala project. 
• Kudumbashree units- food processing.
• Entrepreneurship among students. 
• COVID- 19 – PPE kit manufacturing.

Video Explanation

Sri Narayana Guru & Renaissance in Kerala | Contributions of Sri Narayana Guru in Social Reform Movements in India | KAS Mains Practise Question 2

This article is all about Sri Narayana Guru and his contributions to social reform movements in India including renaissance in Kerala. Here we discuss 2 sample questions related to Sri Narayana Guru which can be good practise questions for Kerala Administrative Service Mains Examination. The questions are as follows.

Q.1 Discuss the role of Sri Narayana Guru in social reform movements in India.

Introduction

Sri Narayana Guru is a saint, prophet and social reformer from Kerala. His words and deeds ignited sparks of revolution that led to a remarkable cultural renaissance in the profligate society of Kerala.

Contributions of Sri Narayana Guru in Social Reform Movements in India.

1. Temple entry

• Aravipuram Movement was launched by Sri Narayana Guru in 1888. On that day, Sri Narayana Guru defied the religious restrictions traditionally placed on the Ezhava community, and consecrated an idol of Shiva at Aravipuram. 
• In 1925 Guru supported the famous Vaikom Satyagraha movement, which demanded entry for lower caste people in the Shiva temple at Vaikom and all temples in Kerala. 

 2. He redeemed the downtrodden human from the curse of caste-ism . ‘Oneness of Humanity’ was his dream.

• His famous message “ One Caste, One Religion and One God to Mankind ”, which was a clarion call to the mankind to unite, instead of breaking down in the name of caste and religion. 

 3. He believed that other than the freedom from the curse of untouchability, the downtrodden classes needed education and wealth . They needed opportunities to improve like others.

• Sri Narayana Guru articulated a doctrine aimed at improving the Ezhavas ’ social position. He urged them to abandon the occupation of toddy tapping and to abstain from liquor. 

 4. He formed a programme of action known as the Sri Narayana Dharma Paripalana Yogam (SNDP).

• The Yogam took up several issues, including the right of admission to public schools, recruitment to government employment, entry into temples, on roads and political representation. 

 5. Guru did not approve polygamy and polyandry . He discouraged some unnecessary traditions in marriage.

 6. Religious harmony

• He considered all religions to be a way for man’s goodness and welfare and thus are equal. 
• He held that the essence of all religions is one and the same, and advocated the comparative study of all faiths. 

 7. Literature

• Sree Narayana Guru had proficiency in Sanskrit, Malayalam and Tamil and had written by way of hymns of prayer to different gods in all three languages, translations, philosophy and teachings. 
• Some of the notable ones are “ Atmopadesa Sathakam ” and Darsanamala ” which give in condensed way the moral and spiritual principles. 

8. Sree Narayana Guru has made a silent revolution , without any blood shed or hatred, but with evoking respect and cooperation from all concerned.

Conclusion: Sri Narayana Guru - The father of Kerala renaissance


 Q 2. In many ways Sri Narayana Guru can be called as ‘Father of Kerala Renaissance’. Do you agree? Discuss.

 Introduction

 Brief about Sri Narayana Guru and his unparalleled contributions.

 Why Sri Narayana Guru is in true sense the father of Renaissance in Kerala?

1. Upliftment of Oppressed : SNDP Yogam
2. Against Untouchability – Aruvippuram Consecration 
3. Promotion of Education 
4. Against social evils like thalikettukalyanam, thirandukuli etc. 
5. Advocated for prohibition of intoxicants 
6. Stood for social equality 

 Conclusion : ‘One Caste, One Religion, One God for mankind’.

Video Explanation

Dear readers, please give your inputs for an improved answer in the comment section below. Quality points will be included in the answer section from your comments. Thanks in advance!

Kerala Floods | Causes of Floods in Kerala | Dam Mismanagement | Solutions & Way Forward | KAS Mains Practise Question 1

This article explains about Kerala floods, causes or reasons for floods in Kerala, how the mismanagement of dams worsened the impact of flood, Kasturirangan & Madhav Gadgil Committee reports on protection of Western Ghats and the solutions and way forward to be implemented in case of floods in Kerala if at all it happens in future. This can be a model question for Kerala Administrative Service Mains Examination. The answer to this KAS mains model question (Q. Among the various factors that contributed to Kerala floods, dam mis management has had a major role to play. Examine) can presented in the following manner. 

Introduction 

• Kerala Flood occurred in 2018 & 2019 August was one of the worst havoc in the present century. It can be described as a  combination of natural as well as man-made disaster. 

Reasons for floods in Kerala 

1. More than average rainfall received in Kerala.
2. Change in land use patterns and climate change.
3. Incursions into catchment areas of rivers in Kerala. 
4. Kerala is yet to implement recommendations of the Gadgil Committee on conservation of Western Ghats. 
5. Wetlands have been lost.

How Dam Mismanagement lead to floods in Kerala?

1. Kerala is home to 53 large dams with a collective capacity of nearly 7 trillion litres. But for dams to truly tame floods, experts say dam reservoirs need to be relatively empty before the onset of rain.
2. Also state did not gradually release water from about 30 dams in anticipation of rains.
3. Interstate river dam management issues like Mullapperiyar dam management issue between the states of Kerala & Tamilnadu.

Way forward

1. Reservoir operation and management need to be taken more seriously
2. Implementation of Kasturirangan & Madhav Gadgil committee recommendations
3. Kerala should set up a State Flood Commission to evolve a comprehensive approach to manage extreme rainfall in the state
4. Flood control can be effected through an Integrated Dam Management System, which is totally computerised and automated

For video explanation, please see below!

Dear readers, please give your inputs for an improved answer in the comment section below. Quality points will be included in the answer section from your comments. Thanks in advance!