'Kerala is a world-class state... It's equivalent to Europe' - Debashis Chatterjee | IIM | Kerala 

I have spent my childhood and youth in UP (Sonbhadra) and my adulthood in Kerala. I have never seen a state as beautiful as Kerala. People are very educated, have high Health and hygiene standards and are politically very agile. My respect for the people of Kerala. You can never ever compare Kerala with UP. Happy to see UP becoming like Kerala💯

ഇന്ത്യയിലെ മറ്റു ചില സംസ്ഥാനങ്ങളെ അപേക്ഷിച്ചു നോക്കുമ്പോൾ കേരളത്തിലെ ജീവിതനിലവാരം മെച്ചപ്പെട്ടതാണ്. എന്ന് കരുതി അത് യൂറോപ്പിനെയോ ഗൾഫ് രാജ്യങ്ങളെയോ താരതമ്യം ചെയ്യുമ്പോൾ നമ്മൾ ഒരുപാടു പിന്നിൽ തന്നെയാണ്. മലയാളിയുടെ റോഡ് സംസ്കാരം തന്നെ അതിനുള്ള തെളിവാണ്.

I m from West Bengal.I went there on vacation few years ago.And literally I have the same opinion.I always tell everybody that Kerala is like a European country.

ഇതൊക്കെ positive ആയി എടുത്ത് തെല്ലും അഹങ്കാരം ഇല്ലാതെ ഇനിയും ഒരുപാട് മുന്നോട്ട് പോവാൻ നമ്മൾക്ക് കഴിയണം. പൊതു സ്ഥലത്ത് waste ഇടുന്ന സ്വഭാവം ലോകത്ത് എവിടെ ആണെങ്കിലും മലയാളിക്ക് ഉണ്ടാവാൻ പാടില്ല.

Travelling into Kerala from outside the state is a huge relief- cleaner, the literate and polite camaraderie, systematic and exceptional health care ...i could go on..

They have a sense of humour . They are not afraid of north Indians .

ഉത്തരേന്ത്യൻ സംസ്ഥാനങ്ങളിൽ നിന്നുള്ള ജനങ്ങളിൽ നിന്നും കുറച്ചു മാറ്റം നമ്മൾക്ക് ഉണ്ട് എങ്കിലും, മാലിന്യം തുറന്ന സ്ഥലങ്ങളിൽ വലിച്ച് എറിയുന്ന സംസ്കാരം നമ്മൾ മാറ്റേണ്ടതാണ്.

നമ്മൾ നമ്മളെ തന്നെ criticize ചെയ്യാൻ ഒരു മടിയും ഇല്ലാത്ത ജനം ആണ്....അതാണ് മലയാളികളുടെ ഏറ്റവും നല്ല ഗുണം.... എന്ന് ഞാൻ മനസ്സിലാക്കുന്നു....

I am from kerala. I am proud of kerala❤❤

Need waste management in Kerala. Provide dustbins and teach people to use it. Develop important tourists towns like Varkala, Fort Kochi etc with world class facilities. Please rebuild bus stations and provide clean washrooms like in metro stations.

I was born outside Kerala and settled down in Kerala after marriage. Although many comments talk bad about the State, I can say with pride that Kerala is the best in India. There's a lot of good things happening in our State. If there's politics in Colleges, it mould the people to become better and responsible citizens of the country and learn to react to the good and bad things happening around rather than behaving ignorant. Be it educational institutions, good health, infrastructure facilities, or even taking care of migrant workers, the Govt and civic body attend to every issues facing the society. Be it women's empowerment 'Kudumbashree' is an example to the entire nation. In short I take pride living in Kerala.

Recently I was in kochi. All the street food vendors handle the food with a glove or give the snack with a paper around it. Even though the roads are narrow , there are hardly any traffic snarls mainly because the drivers don't have "me first" attitude.

നോർത്ത് ഇന്ത്യൻ ജനങ്ങളെ അപേക്ഷിച്ച് നമ്മൾ മുന്നിൽ തന്നെയാണ്, നമ്മൾ ഇനിയും മുന്നേറാൻ ഉണ്ട്. പൊതു സ്ഥലത്ത് മാലിന്യം ഇടൽ, ബസ്സ് ട്രെയിൻ ഒക്കെ കയറുമ്പോൾ ഉള്ള മര്യാദകൾ, തുടങ്ങി പലതും ഇനിയും മെച്ചപ്പെപെടുത്താൻ ഉണ്ട്

I totally agree with this statement. This statement holds true 30 years back also. I worked 1 year in Kerala in the early 1990s. I was born and brought up in Chennai. I was fascinated by the greenery, nature conciousness, cleanliness of the people to the extent I asked them are there no poor people here. My colleagues said ," yes there are". I visited the poor hamlets and was astounded by the cleanliness there. This was also my comment to all the last 30 odd years, " Kerala is a first world nation- state like Europeand USA." Very different from other states of Bharat.

Thanks you sir ,love from Russia 🇷🇺 Kerala

കേരളത്തെ പ്രശംസിക്കുന്നതു കേട്ടാൽ ചൊറിച്ചിലെടുക്കുന്ന കുറച്ച് മയ്ലാളികൾ നമുക്കിടയിലുണ്ട്,

For years, I've envisioned a time when people in Kerala would patiently wait and allow pedestrians to cross the zebra line

The IIM Director is spot on. Higher education in Kerala is highly politicised, hence the quality is not top notch. If there is a will there is a way.

വടക്കേയിന്ത്യയിലൂടെ യാത്ര ചെയ്തപ്പോൾ 'റൂമില്ല' എന്ന് ആദ്യം പറഞ്ഞവർ മലയാളി യാണെന്നറിഞ്ഞപ്പോൾ Room തന്ന അവസരങ്ങൾ ഉണ്ടായിട്ടുണ്ട്. മലയാളി റൂം വൃത്തികേടാക്കില്ലാ എന്നാണ് അവരുടെ മറുപടി. എന്നാൽ ഇവിടെ ഒരു കൂട്ടരുണ്ട് , മലയാളിയെ പറ്റി നുണ പ്രചരിപ്പിച്ചു നടക്കുന്നവർ, അവരുടേതാണ് ' കേരളാ സ്റ്റോറി' . ആ പൊട്ട പടത്തിന് ദേശീയ അവാർഡും കിട്ടി.

എന്തോ - എന്നെ പൊക്കി പറയുന്നോരെ ഞാൻ സംശയത്തോടെ നോക്കുമെങ്കിലും എന്റെ കേരളത്തിന്റെ മഹിമ പറയുന്നിടത്തൊക്കെ ഞാനുമുണ്ടാവും..... ഇത് കേൾക്കുമ്പോ വല്ലാത്തൊരു ആവേശമാണ് ....🙏🏾🙏🏾👍👍🤲🤲💪💪🇮🇳🇮🇳🇮🇳🇮🇳🇮🇳🇮🇳

The clean n decent people of Kerala. Brothers of Tamilnad

I truly appreciate his statement. I lived out of Kerala for the 42 years and back to settled down here. Travelled extensively both India abroad including small town. Be proud of motherland. Of course there is more to be improved which are in the offing. Compared to population and space contraints we are much better placed.

Hope the political leadership learn from his talk. Very insightful.

Totally agree. One unique fact. Here is a state where appreciation of Carnatic music cuts across caste, religion. Does not happen in other Southern states

Diginity of Labour : He is spot on!

ഇന്നലെ ഒരു വിദേശിയുടെ old ഡൽഹി വ്ലോഗ് കണ്ടു 😔 വളരെ sagadam തോന്നി നമ്മുടെ ഇന്ത്യ ആൾക്കാർ എന്തുമാത്രം 😔വിർത്തി ഇല്ലാതെ ആണ് എട്ടിരിക്കുന്നെ 😔ഓരോ ആളും വിചാരിച്ചാൽ മാത്രമേ ഇത് തിരു 😔

*Sulthan Bathery - Cleanest town in South India* 🔥

We are far behind in social discipline , public etiquette , road etiquette and attitude . The irony is that , we become gentlemen by default when we reach abroad .

I felt it many times in life when worked out of kerala esp. northindain sates for years. Yet we need to progress in social behaviour and stop blind political ideologcal activities. Our developments r decentralised while other sates are more focused on developing cities.

Superb , honest , objective and a real analysis and observation of Kerala and Keralites.

Keralites are the best Indians that I have found across the globe. Educated, skilled, and presentable. Love from Dubai.

I’m from Kerala & it’s not like Europe. There’s enough dirt to remind us that we’re still in India. Since it’s an highly dense state, there’s plastic waste all over. Yes, but we don’t chew Khaini! I hope North Indians also stop this!

He pronounces kozhikode..perfectly..like a keralite..thats enough to know how much he admires and loves kerala and keralites..

Kerala is equivalent to European countries in health indices. It’s proven.

I heard about this man. He is a very nice person with high values. That's the reason why he is talking like this. Thank you so much. North Indians still have high values regardless of how high his position is and how high his educational qualifications are. They are simple people. I visited some of the north Indian states. People are so simple and so nice Every state has it's plus and minus. We know our minus 😀. A lot of poor people went to middleeast in 70's and 80's and made money. They obiviously send their kids to school. So, slowly education became the main priority of poor people too and now everyone goes to school It will happen in other states too. People are coming from all over India to work in Kerala. They are sending money home, their kids will go to school too.but, hoepfully, they will keep their culture, values and love for their country in their hearts. Please do not change. Be like this person who is down to earth.

Proud to hear something like this from a great person like you as a Keralian but v r still behind in garbage disposal and standards keep on road..

Long way to go Kerala. We need a waste disposal system. Kerala should be the first state to introduce a world class disposal system in India

Sir, keep up your good impressions about Kerala, God's own country. Unfortunately dirty politics is spoiling the state 😒

Kerala infrastructure has to improve a lot, the roads, ksrtc bus conditions, the public toilets. All these need to inprove

Very important point from him about garbage disposal in Kerala. No place to dispose waste in Kerala. Need this to be the priority for the government. People should really start segregation of waste. Please please can't stress enough on this aspect

Kerala should be given IIT and AIMS. Central govt should do this.

നമ്മുടെ കേരളം❤Long live Kerala✊ ഇനിയും ഒരുപാട് ഉയരങ്ങളിൽ നമ്മൾ എത്തിച്ചേരണം

Good to hear !!! There are some serious criticisms. And this is how we criticize to uplift !!!

Spot on , about the politics of academic administration..

Kerala is heaven Dont Compare with another States Gods won country

Kerala the model for entire Country

Feeling so proud to hear your words about Kerala and in particular Kozhikode, Debasish Sir... Your predesisor director Kalro sir had inaugurated my mass recruitment, pooled campus , mnc IT recruitment company for PAN India Engineering colleges, Dr.Gopinath, Dr.Mohan librarian all were so supportive from IIM for my startup venture those days... Now from Edmonton Canada, when I am seeing this interview .. feeling proud...Soji

Christian missionaries are the most important people who still works for Kerala and entire worlds reformation and enlightenment

Unfortunate thing is that we, as a matter of fact not only us but all southern states, are now squeezed by the union government in all possible ways. It is very sad that a government which was elected by the uneducated people of the north can impact our life negatively now.

We have our issues too. Our corporations don't spend a penny on proper waste management. The reason why Cochin smells is not because of people. They always deposit waste in assigned places but the real reason is the apathy of government. We need to see more efforts from Kerala state and pocal governments including stricter fines, timely pickups, more recycling options, more waste management centers, more corporation vehicles etc. Entire India is developing, we can do that 👍

I, personally feel youth of Kerala aren't much aware of the wide-range of opportunities available throughout India. That was a thing during my 12th pass-out.

Even though Kerala is a small state the Keralites are large hearted intelligent educated people of humanity unlike other states people mainly northern states people. Unfortunately Kerala is a small state a Godly gifted state.

He has talked much on the positives of Kerala..... Great!!! The sad reality however is that, Kerala has an equally long, if not longer list of negatives... which is what Kerala needs to focus upon.....

വേൾഡ് ക്ലാസ്സ്‌ സ്റ്റേറ്റിലെ വേൾഡ് ക്ലാസ്സ്‌ പൊളിറ്റീഷ്യൻസ് കാരണം മലയാളികൾ ഇന്ന് പിച്ച ചെട്ടി എടുത്ത് നടക്കേണ്ടി വരുന്നു... അല്ലെങ്കിൽ വേറെ എങ്ങോട്ടെങ്കിലും ഓടി പോകേണ്ട അവസ്ഥ...

Well said sir thank u for the TRUE comments.

It is only in Kerala where people are valued for their work and paid decently. A state where young men from other poor states with high disparity come to make their living for a decent life.Kerala is a poor man’s Gulf. A State which proudly continues to grow despite being ignored.

Sir really appreciate your thoughts on us, I am a NRI living in Dubai with Family, please start a movement to clean our villages, towns, We are with you...

Proud of a keralite. Entire India should follow Keralites when it comes to hygiene and civil sense.

Whats is the best place to settle in kerala with school kids for a non keralite??

Kerala amazing state in india 👌👌👌👍🇮🇳👍👌

It's true you don't find keralites spiting tobacco at corners of the buildings or any surroundings. Not just kerala even Tamilians doesn't spit. If you go to south their railways stations are clean and well maintained. People are sensible and they do have their own issues but overall these 2 states are really good states.

We have many things to boast off at the same time we have many things to learn in hygiene.

Indeed. They are very nice people. I have quite a few friends actually. .

இந்தியாவின் தலைசிறந்த மாநிலம் கேரளம்❤

We see everyone as humans beyond religion or caste.. Kindness is instilled from childhood very much.. We don't hate people bcoz of religion like North.. So we grow totally.. And not partiality.. So God blessed us

Kerala is a gods own country ❤❤and happy life

Education imparted by Christian institutions made Kerala like this. No doubt.Look at the educational institutions Hospitals. World's nursing community is totally dominated by malayalis.

I am from Kerala, religion is not a problem, we all are one in Kerala, so no scheme of BJP will work here. Because we are all very educated. This time BJP can't get votes by selling religion. For 10 years, by selling religion, they won Indian votes and came to power. This time BJP will fall 💯

1 in 6 People work abroad. Naturally earns more salary when converts to Indian rupees

He nailed it! Perfect analysis of the state!

Vance bharath trains in kerala have the highest occupancy rate. But it took 2-3 years for central govt to allot a vb train to kerala

I left kerala in 1990. I do visit occasionally. My request to keralites is that never allow religious or regional fundamentalism to crop up in our state. Be it of any religiious denomination. Curtail it in the beginning itself

Debashis Chatterjee your analysis is awesome. Your improvements comment is something commendable. life & continuous improvements is something to be pondered about. Great dialogue.

സന്തോഷം കൊണ്ട് ഒരു സംഘിയെ പൊട്ടിക്കാൻ തോനുന്നു proud malayali🔥🔥

Kerala ❤

Which part of Kerala did he visit , I ave seen people spit

absolutely, because i am a malayali working in karnataka. its true

He is a former Sfi leader in Kolkata when he studies im college👍

Only down side is over politics, over debate... Trade union, not friendly for business investment...

My kerala is my pride

Except dowry and unemployment, my kerala is very good

Disagree. The state survives due to remittance from overseas by NRIs. What do we do here, sell lottery tickets, sell liquor. Anything else, don’t know. So many business institutions left due unfriendly approach by the governments here. We are good for debates, shout, scream, excellent shows. We will keep on debating various issues but nothing will happen.

In few parameters Kerala may be better than some other States. But in many other aspects we lack civic sense. No concern for fellow human beings. We have not heard of environment protection. Rveryone throw garbage on road side, rivers and water bodies. All cities are sinking. Our elected representatives are least concerned.

Who said …. Check properly

Thank you sir.for your words.

Yes, Kerala is no doubt a brilliant case study when it comes to social development indicators like universal health, but to call it a world class state is a little too far fetched. Mr Debashis chatterjee seems to be living in his own isolated island in IIMK. A simple question , why the youth is leaving and making future in Europe and US if what he says is right ! Taking IIMK to high ranks could be a direct correlation between Mr Chaterjee‘s spiritual and religious affiliation which in in consonance wiith the incumbent government's value system. He is a brilliant marketing mind and a superb speaker. I was just looking at the tech unicorns in India and the entrepreneurs list. Very few from IIMK make the list when compared to IIMA or IIMB. Of course, that‘s not the only criteria for institutional ranking.

കുരുപൊട്ടിയൊലിക്കുന്ന സംക്രിടാപ്പികൾ കിടന്നു മെഴുകുവാണല്ലോ ഇവിടെ

Even in Karnataka, people don’t spit in public places. This curse is brought by betel chewing northern public from UP, Bihar, Waste bengal etc, who have no civic or sense of public hygiene or shame.

Infrastructure(road) and union with Nookukooli is something very very poor in Kerala.

Thank you Sir for speaking the truth about Kerala. There are people in Kerala who stabs their own mother land. Such people, i believe have never seen outside Kerala

Kerala benefits from the fact that Keralites are inclined to migrate to different countries, allowing them exposure to Western education and lifestyle. This contributes to maintaining a high standard of living, not solely due to our government. However, the unfortunate reality is that major political parties in Kerala are highly corrupt, leading to substantial debts caused by mismanagement. Currently, the state is governed by a Chief Minister widely regarded as one of the most corrupt.

Then why is Keral a state is so profligate in managing its finances? I am sure the IIM in Kozhikode can offer some suggestion.

I am from kerala. Of course kerala stands taller among other states .... but comparing it to Europe shows ur ignorance and exaggeration

പക്ഷേ റോഡിലും പൊതുസ്ഥലങ്ങളിലും തുപ്പാൻ ഒരു മടിയും ഇല്ല

Kerala is Kerala. Every Indian state is unique. But these are some traits making her people more unique. 1.Here there is no blaming of brahmins and other language speakers for everything by politicians like we see in Tamilnadu. 2. Neither malayali hindus mix caste or religion with their food habits or politics to show how true Hindus they are like politicians in Hindi belt. 3. Only Islamic invasion we faced was of Tippu Sulthan. Other than that there was no major ones by Islamic rulers before or after Tippu. 4. Hindu Muslim riots happened two times only. (Mappila Riot in 1921 & Maradu Riot in 2001) 5. Arabs were the first to spread Islam through trade in Kerala in exchange of pepper. But in the case of Afghanisthan, Pakisthan, half of North & Eastern parts of India this was not the case. It mainly spread through loot, mindless killings, destruction of temples, rape, slavery, jizya etc. Even our neighbouring state Tamilnadu too got severely affected by invasions of Malik Kafur (Commander Of Turkic Delhi Sulthanate)& Arcot Nawab. (Commander Of Mughal Emperor) but Kerala remained untouched. 6. Portuguese explorer Vasco da gama recorded about presence of Orthodox Syrian Churches & Jewish Synagogues in Malabar Coast which was built in the period of 9th - 13th centuries A.D. by traders, missionaries and refugees from Syria & Israel. 7. Major invasion by European Christians in Kerala was by Portuguese & British. Local Christians were never a problem. 8. Though 65% South Asians are a mix of Sintashta People From West Eurasian Steppes Bordering Southern Russia &Kazhaksthan. Zagrosians/Proto Elamite Hunters From Zagros Mountains, Iran & South Asian Hunter Gatherers From East Africa. Anatolian Farmer DNA from BMAC and Sino Tibetan mixtures are also found in many of these communities. It is the percentage by community to community and region to region it differs. (Please read www.palakkadwalks.blogspot.com) When it comes to Kerala it nicely balances than for example neighbouring Tamilnadu. In Tamilnadu one can differentiate an Iyer or Iyengar from non brahmin OBCs and SCs. Adivasis (STs)in Tamilnadu can be easily identified too. You cannot generally find differences between an OBC and SC in Tamilnadu. Still they hate each other. 9. In Kerala there are more Indo Aryan & Semitic looking people in non Brahmin castes and non Hindus. Eg: Nairs, Ambalavasis, Vishwakarmas, Ezhuvas, Thiyyas, Nasranis, Mappilas etc. All these castes look very different and behave very good than rest of South Indians. (except Kodavas, Tuluvas, South Indian Brahmins, Gounders, Reddys, Naidus& Wodeyars.) Even dalits are also well behaved in Kerala. 10. Malayalam is a combination of Indo Aryan Sanskrit and Dravidian Tamil. In Tamilnadu, Sanskritised Tamil was used by Brahmins (Before the rise of Telugu Balija Chetty led Dravidian Movement Tamil non Brahmin castes like Vellalars and Chettiars used to speak similar to Brahmins. Now only priests are using Sanskritised Tamil. Other Brahmins are not using.) 11. An average Malayali is updated in every thing under the sun. Be it local, national, international affairs, politics, history, science, technology, arts, music, cinema etc. 12. In almost all villages of Kerala you can live with all comforts and modernity. No need to live in a city. 13. Largest Commercial & Industrial Centre Of North is located in Delhi NCR. In West it is Mumbai. In East Kolkata & In South it is Chennai. But if you observe outskirts of Chennai, Bangalore or Hyderabad there are no continueous population distribution. But Kerala is not like that. From Kasargod to Thiruvananthapuram. From Ponnani to Palakkad. The population density is mind boggling. (Most densely populated humain chain in the subcontinent after Yamuna - Ganga regions comprising the states of Uttarakhand, Haryana, Delhi, UttarPradesh, Bihar, West Bengal and country of Bangladesh.)

Yes especially the hygiene, the peoples unity attitude when it comes to accidents on road, natural disaster

A very balanced thought. As a Malayali brought up in Delhi and studied at top universities of India I agree with what he says. Kerala is quite ahead in terms of many indicators of human development but some aspects of governance lacks vision for encouraging quality education and institutions.

crap... its high time mallu population stops listening to such comparisons and come in terms with reality.... Debashis Chatterjee is a management guru and his song will have this tune always....

better than the rest of the states doesn't mean kerala's life quality is comparable to Europe's

I am from Kerala and I saw another malayali throwing tea cup made of paper out through the train window, I questioned this and suggested him to bin it properly in the bins provided in the trains. Not sure if he took it the right way or not, but I felt it was the right thing to do. 😊