corruption in kerala essay

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This is the most corrupt, inefficient government Kerala has seen

Exclusive Interview/ Oommen Chandy, head, Congress poll panel for Kerala

The Congress-led United Democratic Front is facing one of the toughest electoral battles ever in Kerala. After the resounding defeat in the recent civic body polls, the Congress high command roped in former chief minister Oommen Chandy, 77, to head the party’s poll panel for the state. He spoke to The WEEK about his comeback and his hopes for the party. Excerpts:

Q/ What are your expectations for this election?

A/ The UDF will win this election. There is strong anti-incumbency against this government as it has failed the people on all fronts. There is corruption in all departments. The chief minister and the ministers [don’t think about] the common man. They came to power raising huge allegations against me and other ministers. They maligned me personally. But they could not prove even a single case against UDF ministers. The voters of Kerala are watching all this and I am sure that they will give a befitting reply to the LDF. It is the most corrupt and inefficient government Kerala has ever seen.

Q/ But the LDF swept the recent local self-government elections.

A/ The LSG elections are a totally different ball game. Most voters vote for someone they personally know. But assembly elections are an out and out political battle. So there is no comparison. Also, many rebels contested against official UDF candidates in the LSG elections. But that will not be there now and we will fight the election together. Also, state politics has changed a lot in the last one month in favour of the UDF. The history of our elections, where voters have chosen both the fronts alternately, will also work in our favour.

Q/ You were not visible in Kerala politics since the UDF lost power. But now you have been brought back. Does it mean the Congress needs you to win this time?

A/ I had to stay away from Kerala because I was given charge of the Congress in Andhra [Pradesh]. But it doesn’t mean I was not active in state politics. I was very much here. Now I have been given the charge because it is a crucial election for the party and we must win it together. Other than that there is no political meaning to my appointment.

Q/ At a time when the LDF is being led by a tall leader like Pinarayi Vijayan, would it not be better for the UDF to project a chief ministerial candidate?

A/ We believe in collective leadership and the priority right now is to win the election at all costs. The chief minister will be decided by the high command after the elections. There will be no issue over that once we win the election.

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Q/ Are you likely to be considered to become chief minister?

A/ As a disciplined party worker I will obey whatever the high command says.

Q/ How will you compare your style of governance with that of Pinarayi’s?

A/ I will not comment on his style, but I can tell you about mine. I believe in consensus and democracy. Autocracy is not my style and I take into consideration the opinion of everyone involved. I had told my officers that they have every right to correct me if I am wrong. They were reluctant initially. But I told them that they are there to help me make the correct decisions. And if someone points out errors in my actions, I would make corrections without any ego. I am always open to criticism.

Q/ What about the allegation that Congress leaders are “buyable”. Even Rahul Gandhi made a statement to that effect. How will you counter that?

A/ The BJP is playing dirty politics. They are killing democracy using money and muscle power. No other government has stooped to this level. All values of democracy are being killed. But it is not that Congress leaders alone are joining the BJP. The CPI(M) cadre has shifted their loyalty en masse to the BJP. Even in Kerala, a local committee office was converted into a BJP office overnight. The BJP is trying to finish off opponents and this does not augur well for democracy.

Q/ Do you see the BJP as a threat in the coming elections? What will be the Congress’s strategy?

A/ The people of Kerala will reject the BJP completely.

The Congress [candidate] list will be unlike any previous one. There will be a strong presence of women and the youth. Winnability will be the only criteria for choosing a candidate.

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'Not even cold drink'. A cartoon by Shankar in the Hindustan Times  on the Indian government's neglect of famine in Travancore. (16 October 1943). Source: Santhanam (1944).

A Forgotten Famine and the Rise of Communism in Kerala

Aditya Balasubramanian

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In the midst of the Second World War, after Burma fell to Japan in 1942, the princely state of Travancore in south India lost access to its key source of rice. In comparison to the neighbouring state of Cochin, Travancore acted belatedly and without adequate urgency to secure food from other areas. 

The consequences of this shortage and its subsequent mismanagement were profound. They contributed to an estimated 90,000 deaths and the loss of legitimacy of an already unstable and unpopular regime. 

This event, contemporaneous with the more ruinous Bengal Famine, took place in one of India’s richest princely states, often seen as a model of governance. It has been largely forgotten. Yet, the food scarcity of the period became a rallying point and material condition that the communists were able to use both to legitimise their cause and win converts. It enabled them to launch a major uprising and helped lay the foundations for their enduring presence in Kerala. 

Food shortage and its mismanagement

The long-term driver of rice dependence on Burma was Travancore’s transformation into a cash crop economy from the 19th century onwards. 

Policies granting security of tenure and tax concessions on its land allowed an attractive small peasant agriculture to take root. In parallel, European contact in the second half of the 19th century contributed to the development of markets for export. The state also had a large plantation sector, especially for tea, cardamom, and rubber. By the 1920s, Travancore was exporting millions of pounds of tea and rubber and millions of yards of coir mats. 

The developments disrupted regional self-sufficiency. It left Travancore vulnerable to the vicissitudes of global markets, of the sort that followed the fall of Burma. 

Export revenues more than paid for expanding import requirements. They also funded state-facilitated industrialisation centred on agro-processing. However, the developments disrupted regional self-sufficiency. It left Travancore vulnerable to the vicissitudes of global markets, of the sort that followed the fall of Burma. 

By late 1942, Travancore was experiencing a crucial shortage of food. In the Indian government’s order of priority for food aid, Travancore and Cochin came a distant second after Bengal. Even within that allotment, only a fraction of the stocks promised from surplus areas arrived. The dispatches of rice were further reduced over great distances they travelled on the already overburdened railways, which created opportunities for pilferage along the way. 

To remedy the crisis, Travancore pursued its local version of the nationwide Grow More Food Scheme. Through this, it sought to switch over from cultivating cash to food crops, expand the land area under cultivation, increase irrigation, and use better seeds to improve agricultural yields. But unlike other states, Travancore was already near the frontier of cultivable land. 

More consequentially, the government began to regulate and oversee food procurement and distribution. This was a reactive process of trial and error. It responded to dishonest behaviour by government employees, landowners unwilling to let go of excess stocks of food, and unscrupulous merchants who aimed to sell grain to the highest bidder. 

Travancore initially required merchants to secure permits for trading and provide the government with information about the purchase and sale of stocks. However, this effort did little to mitigate price increases in rice. Next, the government experimented with introducing designated grain purchasing officers and invested them with legal sanction to purchase food from landowners holding excess stocks at specified prices. This created an incentive for landowners to lie about their stocks. Officers themselves had varying methods for determining excess. This basis for determining excess stocks was then substituted by a measure based on acreage. But land yields differed by plot, so the government shifted to measurement based on land rent, which in turn corresponded to yield. 

Although it was smaller and closer to a major port, Cochin’s leadership better understood the gravity of the problem.

When every other alternative had been exhausted and found inadequate, the government of Travancore took over every aspect of food procurement and distribution. But the amount of the ration the state could offer was only about eight ounces (227 g), compared with 21.3 ounces in Madras and 24.3 ounces in Bombay. This might have been able to sustain life, but not healthy living.

Travancore’s comparative mismanagement of the food shortage becomes apparent when compared to neighbouring Cochin. Although it was smaller and closer to a major port, Cochin’s leadership better understood the gravity of the problem. From the very beginning of the shortage, it instituted a single price of food. Thus, the problem of cheaper rice going to those with greater willingness to pay could be avoided. Procurement was based on settlement yields rather than acreage. Village panchayats were introduced earlier to help determine localised requirements of stock from landowners.  Rationing was introduced a full year before Travancore. “Cochin restaurants” were introduced with more palatable meals made from rice alternatives to encourage people to adjust their food habits.

'The desperate mood'

What do we mean by famine, and can we call Travancore’s experience one of famine? Some estimates call anything over 10,000 deaths a famine; others any event that leads to a daily excess mortality rate of over 1 in 10,000 (Howe and Devereux 2004). The Famine Enquiry Commission Report published in 1945 did not have official estimates and did not consider these events to constitute famine (Government of India 1945). But they were also not aware of the casualties. 

The only reckoning we have of famine deaths in Travancore between 1942–44 is based on parish records of the Church Missionary Society, used by K.G. Sivaswamy of the Servants of India Society to arrive at a figure of approximately 90,000 deaths. 

This estimate is crude. Sivaswamy's calculations did not adjust for changes in the composition of the population. But it is all that we have. Irrespective of the precise numbers, various parties considered the events to constitute a famine.

Ration officers sold rice on the black market or at inflated prices to the poor and enriched themselves.

The effects of Travancore’s management of the food shortage varied across class, caste, and space. Fictionalised accounts and subsequent disproportionate assets cases suggested that ration officers sold rice on the black market or at inflated prices to the poor and enriched themselves. For the poor, malnutrition led to greater vulnerability. The reduction of immunity left Travancoreans more susceptible to smallpox and cholera. 

Protruding ribs, swollen stomachs, and stick-like arms became a common sight. The weight at birth of children born between March 1943 and September 1944 declined by eight ounces (227 g). Conditions worsened as one moved away from urban areas.

Some 12,000 people migrated north to the jungles of Malabar in the neighbouring Madras presidency, where they sought to cultivate land for food crops. Moving to the jungle carried risks: some could not successfully bring land under cultivation and had to return. Others died of malaria. Adjusting diets to the produce of the land could lead to an overconsumption of carbohydrates and deficiencies in fish and coconuts. The resulting anaemia and scabies increased mortality rates. 

Those who could not leave experienced worse undernutrition and were forced to rely more heavily on rice substitutes like tapioca. An excess of this starch in the diet slowed bone growth in children. Protein deficits in diets led to oedema and kwashiorkor. 

The former was the most common experience. For a person experiencing oedema, swelling begins in the abdomen and spreads through the body, stretching the skin. Blood pressure drops, corneas turn red and sore, and aches and pains develop across the body. A craving for carbohydrates and salt develops, accompanied by uncontrollable diarrhoea. Then, the victims move from depression, to irritation, to unconsciousness. 

"Beg, bribe, borrow, steal, do anything you like so you may live! – This becomes the desperate mood”

The communist leader E.M.S. Namboodiripad, who went on to become the first chief minister of Kerala, spoke of how under these conditions, notions of morality were replaced by survival instincts: “Self-respect and fellow-feeling disappear in the face of hunger. Beg, bribe, borrow, steal, do anything you like so you may live! – This becomes the desperate mood” (Namboodiripad 1943).

But this story is not one merely of disempowerment and of death that were forgotten. Political developments were underway. 

Political denouement

The war provided a ruse for Travancore’s autocratic diwan C.P. Ramaswamy Aiyar to keep a lid on dissent and prevent the transmission of information about the gravity of the situation in the state. In regular times, he suppressed the press and feared responsible self-government. With expanded powers from the Defence of Travancore Rules, he was able to arrest politicians for sedition if they exposed the food situation. Press communiques warned against subversive activities. The state police hired gangs to disrupt meetings held by dissidents. By surrounding himself with sycophants, Ramaswamy Aiyar had also driven his subordinates into silence. 

Despite the repression, the worsening food situation created the conditions for successful communist activity and the eclipse of princely rule in Travancore. It also shaped the growing conceptualisation of a united state of Kerala out of the politically divided Malayalam-speaking areas of south India: the princely states of Cochin and Travancore, and British Indian Malabar. 

Politics in the theocratic state of Travancore had developed in a distinct but connected fashion to the provinces of British India.  Early-20th-century movements focused on caste reform. Ezhavas, Dalits, Christians, and Muslims came together to contest Brahmin and Nair domination of government employment. The state resisted the demands of progressive politics. Reforms amounted to reversible, targeted mitigations of popular pressure that proceeded from the reordering of social and economic relations.

By the 1930s, shaped by mass nationalism in British India, political activity in Travancore began to be concerned with the advent of responsible self-government in the future. Travancore introduced a largely hollow bicameral legislature with limited franchise, marking out special quotas for Muslims, non-Syrian Christians, and Ezhavas.

The left wing of the Congress and the communists attracted a considerable following by this time, particularly amongst coir workers in the coastal Ambalappuzha and Shertallai districts. They helped stage a major general strike and oversaw a local Civil Disobedience movement in 1938, which was brutally suppressed. Building on these developments, a Travancore branch of the communist party was founded in 1940.

The war proved to be a boon for the communists. When the Soviets entered the war in 1942 on the side of the British, the communists dropped their opposition. By contrast, the Congress staged the Quit India Movement this year, and most major leaders were jailed. Freer from the threat of arrests, the communists organised workers and peasants to increase food production, formed feeding centres for the poor, and helped the government get acreage and yield statistics of farms. 

The communists also conducted night classes to educate children and potential party workers in their ideology and train them in guerilla warfare. They focused their efforts on factory workers and agricultural labourers. By the end of the war, they had about 45,000 workers in Travancore. Most of these were of lower-caste and Dalit backgrounds. 

The cessation of hostilities would not have been noticed much by the average Travancorean. Food scarcity continued, and prices kept up their ascent. Migration to the jungles continued. Reduced demand for coir from the United States after the end of the war threw coir workers out of jobs. 

Unlike in Malabar, where the Congress had a mass following, in Travancore it was the Communists who took the lead in organising labour strikes, food rallies, and student actions.

In this environment, the communists persisted in tying food-related agitation to ideological concerns. 

In late July 1946,  Travancore communists raised a jatha (organised march) of 2,000 people, shouting food slogans and Inquilab in Alleppey to protest against rising prices. Unlike in Malabar, where the Congress had a mass following, in Travancore it was the communists who took the lead in organising labour strikes, food rallies, and student actions.

The activism of this period dovetailed with the idea of Aikiya Keralam (United Kerala), free of princely or imperial rule and governed by democracy. The communists bitterly opposed Ramaswamy Aiyar’s schemes for Travancore’s political future. Recognising that an independent nation-state was an unlikely outcome, he proposed what he called an “American Model,” Travancore would become a part of a federation nominally joined to an Indian Union. There would be universal suffrage, but a permanently ensconced executive would be appointed by the maharaja. In response, the communists raised the slogan “Throw the American Model in the Arabian Sea!” (Jeffrey, 1977). 

Subsequent tensions culminated in what came to be known as the Punnapra-Vayalar revolt. On 22 October 1946, a general strike was inaugurated. Two days later, a clash between the police and workers broke out, killing four policemen. The next day, martial law was declared in Shertallai and Alleppey. Ramaswamy Aiyar took over the military and raided worker camps. In motor boats, a military detachment operated the peninsular village of Vayalar and opened fire on thousands of workers and killed hundreds. This was the first working-class revolt against the government in Indian history. Months after the uprising, the diwan left his job, and Travancore acceded to the Indian Union.

The Punnapra-Vayalar revolt came to be the stuff of communist lore. It helped the Communists consolidate their political base. On 1 November 1956, the united state of Kerala came into being. Assembly elections in the following year brought the world’s first democratically elected communist government to power.

What accounts for the comparatively greater attention to Bengal over Travancore in famine historiography and popular memory? The scale of the Bengal famine was much greater than Travancore. In Bengal, the editor of Calcutta’s widely and internationally circulated The Statesman newspaper began to write about the famine from August 1943. No comparable publication did the same to expose the events in Travancore; all possibly offensive literature was banned. Travancoreans migrated to rural areas while Bengalis came to the metropolis, where others could perceive their suffering. And Bengal’s importance to colonial India dwarfed that of Travancore. 

Indeed, the devastation of the Bengal famine has overshadowed the impact of food shortage, hunger, and starvation in other parts of the subcontinent during the Second World War. Food deficits arose across the Northwest Frontier Province, Bihar, UP, and Bombay and Madras Presidencies. 

But it would be wrong to say that the Travancore events were forgotten because they were not important. Far from it. 

Unlike in the other areas of the former Madras Presidency, where ration shops were disbanded after the war, they were consolidated and expanded in what became Kerala.

Communism and food policy continued to be related in postcolonial Kerala. Within a year of taking office in 1957, the communist government lifted taxes on foodstuffs and created policies to lower rice prices. The state took over the cultivation of rice in the fertile Kuttanad region. 

Although Kerala is not without its problems, it has the country’s best public distribution system today. It operates a two-level system with a widespread network of ration and fair price shops. Unlike in the other areas of the former Madras presidency, where ration shops were disbanded after the war, they were consolidated and expanded in what became Kerala. The communists continue to perform well electorally in what became Alappuzha district, which incorporated Ambalappuzha and Shertalai and included the sites of the Punnapra-Vayalar uprising. 

Restoring Travancore’s forgotten famine of 1943 to our memory reminds us that hunger was a constitutive experience of war in regions across the subcontinent, one with multiple histories.  It shows us how positive political change can follow from the most devastating of events.  It illuminates part of a broader story of how one remarkable region has defied some of the dominant trends that have characterised the Indian nation-state’s chequered history.

(This essay is adapted from “A Forgotten Famine of ’43? Travancore’s Muffled ‘Cry of Distress,’” part of the September 2023 special issue of Modern Asian Studies on “ Rethinking the Second World War in South Asia ,” edited by Isabel Huacuja Alonso and Andrew Amstutz.)

Aditya Balasubramanian is a senior lecturer in history at Australian National University and the author of Toward a Free Economy: Swatantra and Opposition Politics in Democratic India (Princeton University Press, 2023).

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Government of India (1945). Report of the Famine Enquiry Commission .

Howe, P. and S. Devereux (2004). “Famine Intensity and Magnitude Scales: A Proposal for an Instrumental Definition of Famine.” Disasters 28(4): 353-72.

Jeffrey, Robin (1977). “A Sanctified Label: Congress in Travancore, 1938-47." In Congress and the Raj: Facets of the Indian Struggle 1917-47,  edited by   D.A. Low. New Delhi: Oxford University Press.

Namboodiripad, E.M.S. (1943). “Food in Kerala.” People’s War ( 30 July).

Ouwerkerk, Louise (1994). No Elephants for the Maharaja: Social and Political Change in the Princely State of Travancore, (1921–47). edited with an introduction by Dick Kooiman. New Delhi: Manohar.

Santhanam, K. (1944), Cry of Distress.  New Delhi: Hindustan Times.

Sivaswamy G. et al. (1945). The Exodus from Travancore to the Malabar Jungles.  Coimbatore: ServIndia Relief Centre. 

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From the cross to Kerala’s messiah-in-chief. How Pinarayi resurrected himself

In hindsight, it looks like Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan's stubborn refusal to conduct a press conference for over seven months since February this year was the most stupid decision he has ever made. Because in the four press conferences he held after this dry spell, including Wednesday's (November 8), the Chief Minister has successfully managed to shift Kerala's focus from corruption and nepotism to governance and politics.

It has taken Pinarayi some time to realise that the cohort he considers to be his biggest tormentor, the mainstream media, can also be used to turn things around for him.

On September 19, the day he broke his long silence, difficult questions were waiting to burst forth at him like from a dam breach; right from his daughter's business deals to the Karuvannur bank loot. When the dam of questions broke, Pinarayi did not do anything heroic. He just hid behind the rocks of already stated positions and simply let the posers rush past him. Soon enough, these questions were like the proverbial water under the bridge. Forgotten.

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Now one and a half months later, with no dangerous arrows left to come his way, Pinarayi has positioned himself as a resistance figure, a bold local hero who has effectively dealt with his domestic foes and is proudly standing up to the might of Narendra Modi.

There was not a hint that this was a man who just a month ago had to face perhaps the worst allegations ever suffered by a Chief Minister of Kerala.

South’s daring leader By taking Governor Arif Mohammad Khan to court for indefinitely delaying his assent to Bills, Pinarayi has already fired the first salvo at the Centre. Now, he is all set to take the next crucial step: Take the Narendra Modi government to court, the first state to do so, and make it answer for denying Kerala its rightful share of funds.

He said he would talk to other Southern states that had also been hit by the Centre's overbearing ways and put up a joint fight. Pinarayi has already assumed the leadership of this southern gang. Earlier too, during the days of the anti-CAA (Citizenship Amendment Act) agitation, Pinarayi had attempted to position himself as the most daring leader of the anti-BJP front.

Humanist and guardian Nonetheless, on Wednesday, his political messaging was meant mostly for Kerala and its people. He wanted to be seen as a leader who has found a way to take Kerala to the world (Keraleeyam), who would root out poverty in Kerala (he declared that extreme poverty will be eradicated by November 2025) and who is now taking the government out of the exclusive realms of the Secretariat to the people (the grievance redressal programme 'Karuthalum Kaithangum' held in April and May, and the over one-month long Nava Kerala Sadassu to begin on November 17).

More importantly, Pinarayi wanted to be seen as the leader who protects values Kerala has always held dear. He sought to project the seven-day Keraleeyam as the biggest gamble in his fight against fascist forces.

"Keraleeyam was a declaration that Kerala would be at the forefront of the struggle to safeguard basic Constitutional values like secularism, socialism, federalism and parliamentary democracy," Pinarayi said.

Pinarayi saw Keraleeyam as a display of Kerala's heightened cultural consciousness. It is an antidote to fascism, he suggested. "To call the money spent on culture as wasteful and extravagant is unacceptable. To burn books and libraries is a fascist tradition, not ours. To invest in culture is to do justice to the coming generations," he said.

Politics of Gaza Again, like during the anti-CAA agitation, Pinarayi used the war in Palestine to deftly position himself as the messiah of Muslims in Kerala. "We should give our unconditional support to Palestine," he said, a clear dig at the Congress that had pulled up one of its leaders for conducting a pro-Palestine rally.

After the CPM State Committee meeting this week, the party has decided to aggressively brand the Congress as having Zionist leanings. In keeping with this strategy, the Chief Minister hailed Jawaharlal Nehru for his anti-imperialist stance and pro-Palestine policy but criticised Narasimha Rao for being the first prime minister to move closer to Israel.

Pinarayi even feigned surprise that the Congress even asked for an explanation from Aryadan Shoukath for conducting a pro-Palestine rally. "Is it even thinkable to ask explanation for such a thing? Or do they equate supporting Palestine with supporting a terror outfit? To offer support to the Palestinian cause should happen naturally," he said.

Pinarayi employed the sharpest emotion to cut the Congress to size: Pity. "What we should consider with great pain is the way the Congress has transformed into a party that could adopt even such an insensitive stand. Though we have political differences, this is a party of the national movement. Should it stoop to such a low," he said.

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Essay on Corruption for Students and Children

500+ words essay on corruption.

Essay on Corruption – Corruption refers to a form of criminal activity or dishonesty. It refers to an evil act by an individual or a group. Most noteworthy, this act compromises the rights and privileges of others. Furthermore, Corruption primarily includes activities like bribery or embezzlement. However, Corruption can take place in many ways. Most probably, people in positions of authority are susceptible to Corruption. Corruption certainly reflects greedy and selfish behavior.

Methods of Corruption

First of all, Bribery is the most common method of Corruption. Bribery involves the improper use of favours and gifts in exchange for personal gain. Furthermore, the types of favours are diverse. Above all, the favours include money, gifts, company shares, sexual favours, employment , entertainment, and political benefits. Also, personal gain can be – giving preferential treatment and overlooking crime.

Embezzlement refers to the act of withholding assets for the purpose of theft. Furthermore, it takes place by one or more individuals who were entrusted with these assets. Above all, embezzlement is a type of financial fraud.

The graft is a global form of Corruption. Most noteworthy, it refers to the illegal use of a politician’s authority for personal gain. Furthermore, a popular way for the graft is misdirecting public funds for the benefit of politicians .

Extortion is another major method of Corruption. It means to obtain property, money or services illegally. Above all, this obtainment takes place by coercing individuals or organizations. Hence, Extortion is quite similar to blackmail.

Favouritism and nepotism is quite an old form of Corruption still in usage. This refers to a person favouring one’s own relatives and friends to jobs. This is certainly a very unfair practice. This is because many deserving candidates fail to get jobs.

Abuse of discretion is another method of Corruption. Here, a person misuses one’s power and authority. An example can be a judge unjustly dismissing a criminal’s case.

Finally, influence peddling is the last method here. This refers to illegally using one’s influence with the government or other authorized individuals. Furthermore, it takes place in order to obtain preferential treatment or favour.

Get the huge list of more than 500 Essay Topics and Ideas

Ways of Stopping Corruption

One important way of preventing Corruption is to give a better salary in a government job. Many government employees receive pretty low salaries. Therefore, they resort to bribery to meet their expenses. So, government employees should receive higher salaries. Consequently, high salaries would reduce their motivation and resolve to engage in bribery.

Tough laws are very important for stopping Corruption. Above all, strict punishments need to be meted out to guilty individuals. Furthermore, there should be an efficient and quick implementation of strict laws.

Applying cameras in workplaces is an excellent way to prevent corruption. Above all, many individuals would refrain from indulging in Corruption due to fear of being caught. Furthermore, these individuals would have otherwise engaged in Corruption.

The government must make sure to keep inflation low. Due to the rise in prices, many people feel their incomes to be too low. Consequently, this increases Corruption among the masses. Businessmen raise prices to sell their stock of goods at higher prices. Furthermore, the politician supports them due to the benefits they receive.

To sum it up, Corruption is a great evil of society. This evil should be quickly eliminated from society. Corruption is the poison that has penetrated the minds of many individuals these days. Hopefully, with consistent political and social efforts, we can get rid of Corruption.

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56 corrupt officials held by vigilance last year in Kerala

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau registered 47 trap cases against corrupt government officials last year- the most by the anti-graft agency in a calendar year in history. The most cases were reported from Local Self Government and Revenue departments - 14 each. The Health Department saw seven cases, while there were four cases in the Registration department. The Water Authority and the Education department had two cases, while the Police, Civil Supplies, KSEB and Legal Metrology contributed a single case each.

According to the vigilance yearly statistics released by director ADGP Manoj Abraham, the most number of trap cases were registered in South Kerala, 14, while North Kerala saw 13 such cases. In 2021, vigilance registered 30 trap cases. In 2022, as many as 56 government servants were arrested after being caught red-handed by vigilance sleuths.

The anti-graft agency also mounted 1,715 raids last year, with an average of 4.7 cases per day, which is the highest in the history of the agency. The raids were held in the offices of the Motor Vehicle, General Education, Local Self Government, Higher Secondary, Health, Registration, Revenue, Public Works and Public Distribution departments. Last year, the department conducted 1,019 raids. The conviction rate of corrupt officials also went up last year. As many as 75 people were convicted on corruption charges during the period, which is also a record for the anti-graft agency.

The vigilance sleuths, meanwhile, conducted probes in 88 cases, while secret probes were held in 116 cases. Tribunal inquiry was initiated in 9 cases. The probe was completed in 62 cases and chargesheets were filed in the respective courts. Preliminary inquiries were done on 446 corruption cases, while 178 cases were registered by the department.

LSG, revenue dept on top Most cases were reported from local self-government and revenue departments - 14 each. The health department saw seven cases, while there were four cases in the registration department.

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Corruption in India: Status, Causes & Impacts

From Current Affairs Notes for UPSC » Editorials & In-depths » This topic

The menace of corruption is the most talked-about issue in India which grapples the sphere of public debate very often. The phenomenon touches every human being from the one living in slums to the person occupying the highest echelons of the State system. Just like the fictional Voldemort, corruption grows at every utterance of it. In the words of Kautilya “Just as it is impossible not to taste the honey that finds itself in the tip of the tongue, so it is impossible for a government assistant not to eat up, at least a bit of King’s revenue.”

This topic of “Corruption in India: Status, Causes & Impacts” is important from the perspective of the UPSC IAS Examination , which falls under General Studies Portion.

What is Corruption?

Transparency International (TI) defines corruption as “The abuse of entrusted power for private gain. It can be classified as grand, petty and political, depending on the amounts of money lost and the sector where it occurs”

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What is the Status of corruption in India?

• In 2021, the country was ranked 85th out of 180 in the Corruption Perceptions Index, with the lowest-ranked countries perceived to have the most honest public sector. Corruption is caused by a variety of factors, including officials stealing money from government social welfare programmes.
• CPI, 2019 highlighted that unfair and opaque political financing, undue influence in decision-making and lobbying by powerful corporate interest groups, has resulted in stagnation or decline in the control of corruption.
• As per the India Corruption Survey 2019, 51% of the respondents admitted to paying bribes. Rajasthan and Bihar fared the worst in the country with 78% and 75% of respondents admitting to paying bribes.

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What are the causes of corruption?

Inquiry into the causes of corruption presents a detailed picture of a socio-political-economic-administrative scenario that breeds corruption on a daily basis.

• Legacy issues –
• Rampant poverty and empty coffers of the government at the dawn of independence leading to chronic low salaries of the government officials.
• Pre liberalization license permit raj catered by Monopolies and restrictive trade practices facilitated the corruption. The lack of economic freedom led to abuse of the system.
• Necessities of development overshadowed vigilance procedures.
• Political system
• Use of black money in elections to win at any cost (breaching statutory spending limits) creates the need for the recovery of that cost through malpractices.
• Election funding is not transparent making it prone to the usage of black money and funding based on quid pro quo.
• It leads to crony capitalism, an unholy nexus between politicians and corporates.
• Criminalization of politics- when the rule-breakers become rule makers, the casualty is the rule of law.
• Economic structure
• Low levels of formalization (merely 10%) of the economy breed black money.
• Stringent compliance rules for entry and exit for businesses result in bribery.
• Unequal distribution of wealth- Transparency International data suggests that corruption is directly proportionate to the economic gap in a nation.
• Faulty process of liberalisation- we first opened ourselves to the world and then took to legislation for various sectors like FDI, resource auction making it easy for foreign companies to manipulate the system.
• Legal lacunae
• Archaic laws like IPC 1860 don’t capture the complexities of administration and lead to the escape of wrongdoers.
• narrows down the definition of corruption,
• increases the burden of proof
• prior approval from the government for inquiry or investigation of officials
• Lacunae in the Lokpal act and delays in the appointments both at the state and central levels.
• Dilution of the RTI act and political misuse of CBI and other agencies.
• Loopholes give discretionary powers to the officials making working prone to corruption.
• Lack of resources, funding, infrastructure and manpower in the vigilance institutions.
• Lack of incorporation of standard practices by organizations like Banks, sports organizations which results in multi-billion-rupee scams. E.g. Punjab National Bank scam, commonwealth scam.
• Delays and dying away from the corruption cases at the judicial level due to lack of evidence or faulty investigation. It also showcases politician-public servant-judicial (lower levels) nexus.
• Lack of protection to good Samaritans
• Targeting of upright and non-corrupt officials and rewards to corrupt officials
• Near non-existent whistleblowers protection
• Social problems
• The mindset of the citizenry that doesn’t look at the problems seriously and even accepts it as a necessary part of the system.
• Illiteracy, poverty, and inability to understand complex procedures.
• Increasing consumerism in the new middle class that is ready to bribe to get things done.
• Failure of social morality, education system to inculcate the values.

What are the impacts of corruption?

• Hindrances to developmental process
• loss of wealth due to corruption and siphoning away of taxpayers’ money leave little to spend in the social sector.
• many developmental projects cannot be completed or get dragged for decades because of red-tapism, corruption cases raising the expenditure
• out of pocket expenditure by the poor to get things done creates a vicious cycle of poverty.
• Corruption in the social sectors like PDS, health and education schemes lead to demographic disadvantage.
• It misdirects developmental strategy from decentralized, directed projects to big-budget projects on account of crony capitalism.
• Economic loss
• Undermines ease of doing business
• Corruption in the public services sector carries high risks for conducting good businesses. Companies are likely to unwanted red tapes, petty corruption, bribes for finalizing any procedures or deals.
• Wrong allocation policies result in undervaluation of resources like Coal blocks, Hydrocarbon projects, Spectrum allocation. Eg. 2G scam, Coalgate. This mismanagement of resources leads to environmental degradation and exploitation.
• Low tax collection due to tax authority- corporate corruption. It results in low spending in the capital building.
• Corruption of financial sector officials like Banks, the stock market erodes the strength of the economy. E.g. PNB scam, PMC scam, Harshad Mehta scandal
• Rising black money artificially enhances the market capability which is always at the risk of collapse.
• Harmful to national security
• We have a history of corruption in defense procurement and consequent litigation. It undermines the preparedness of the armed.
• Corruption in the border security establishment creates problems of terrorist infiltration. Illegal migration has caused the issue of NRC implementation
• Social sector losses
• Corruption in government projects targeting poor and vulnerable section of the society increases the economic gap between the rich and the poor
• Corruption is always paid by the poor. The loss of exchequer by the big scams are always recovered by higher taxes. It hampers intergenerational parity in taxation.
• The corrupt system denies the poor a chance to improve their status rendering them eternally poor
• On the political front, corruption is a major obstacle to democracy and the rule of law.
• It then leads to the loss of legitimacy of the political systems and gives free hand to non-state actors. E.g. Left-wing extremism
• Judicial corruption too undermines its legitimacy.

Way forward

There is a need for windfall reforms in each and every section of the system to fight the menace. Every aspect of governance must be improved for efficiency, economy, and effectiveness .

• Barring the criminals from even participating in the elections as suggested by the election commission.
• Imposing limits on the overall expenditure of the political parties.
• Making state funding of elections a reality.
• Empowering ECI by giving legal force to MCC and making paid news a criminal offence.
• Strengthening of autonomous institutions
• Protecting the autonomy of CIC-giving him a constitutional status
• Provision of required manpower, infrastructure, training of vigilance agencies
• Eliminate overlapping of jurisdiction- e.g. Lokpal and CBI
• Administrative reforms
• Establishing the Civil Service Board to curb the excessive political control over the administration
• Reducing the hierarchy levels in the governments
• Conducting periodic sensitivity training for the civil servants
• Simplifying the disciplinary proceedings and strengthening preventive vigilance within the departments to ensure corrupt civil servant do not occupy the sensitive position
• Police and judicial reforms- implementation of Prakash Singh recommendations
• Governance reforms
• e-gov apart from advancing the good governance objectives of accountability and transparency also seeks to reduce the manual interface between state and citizen thus preventing the incidences of bribery
• Drives like Digital India projects like Government e-Marketplace must be implemented.
• Enactment of the right to service act. E.g. Rajasthan social accountability bill
• Economic reforms
• Negating legal lacunae in banking, stock market legislations.
• Improving corporate governance by implementing corporate governance committee reports
• Formalisation of the economy
• Refining and speedy implementation of GST
• Social sector improvements

As Transparency International chairman Delia Ferreira Rubio says, “People’s indifference is the best breeding ground to the corruption”. citizen empowerment is a basic need in the fight against corruption

• Awareness of citizenry by training them in RTI act, Citizens charter, social audits.
• Increasing democratization of the masses.
• Curriculum reforms to inculcate values even in higher education by which youngsters acquire high standards of ethical mindset.

Integrity, transparency, and fight against corruption have to be part of the culture. They must be thought of as fundamental values of the society we live in. corruption should not be seen as cancer to be eliminated root and branch for now. A practical approach would be to see it at obsession to be cured.  An incremental approach to the problem will lead to an achievable target-setting and faster completion. People should be aware that they can change the system. India against corruption movement of 2011 was not the last fight as we have seen and it cannot be either. There has to be continuous checks and balances in the system. Corruption can be tackled effectively. But it needs homegrown solutions that eliminate indigenous problems.

• India has dropped to 82nd position in 2021, five places down from 77th rank last year, in a global list that ranks countries based on business bribery risks. The list by TRACE, an anti-bribery standard-setting organization, measures business bribery risk in 194 countries, territories, and autonomous and semi-autonomous regions.
• A strict anti-corruption law is “necessary” because corruption is hollowing out the country, the Centre told a five-judge constitution bench of the Supreme Court, which was considering whether public servants can be prosecuted for bribery if bribe givers fail to record their statements or turn hostile.

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CORRUPTION IN INDIA The development of India and its people and the future is irreparably destroyed due to the massive corruption, bribery and influence peddling. The rule of law is ignored. India is faced with absolute lawlessness, no one is safe and no one’s property is safe. The Higher Judiciary to take stern action against the corrupt politicians, executives and the who’s who of India. In pandemic the leaders have failed its people and caused massive death. Ramesh Mishra Victoria, British Columbia, Canada

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Corruption In India Essay

Corruption refers to dishonest or fraudulent behaviour by individuals in positions of power or authority, such as government officials, politicians, business leaders, or law enforcement officers. Corruption can take many forms, including bribery, embezzlement, nepotism, abuse of power, and fraud. Here are a few sample essays on corruption in India.

100 Words Essay On Corruption In India

200 words essay on corruption in india, 500 words essay on corruption in india, addressing the problem of corruption.

Corruption is a significant problem in India that has been prevalent for decades. It affects all levels of society, from the poorest to the richest. Corruption in India can take many forms, including bribery, embezzlement, nepotism, and misuse of public resources. Corruption in India has resulted in the misallocation of resources, poor governance, and a lack of accountability. It also leads to a loss of trust in public institutions, weakens the rule of law, and hinders economic development. Despite various efforts to curb corruption, it remains a significant challenge for India, requiring continued vigilance and strong political will to address this issue.

Corruption is a widespread problem in India that has been a matter of concern for several decades. It is a menace that plagues all levels of society, from the poorest to the richest. Corruption in India takes various forms, such as bribery, embezzlement, nepotism, and misuse of public resources. The root cause of corruption in India is a lack of transparency, accountability, and a weak legal system.

Consequences | Corruption in India has severe consequences on the country's social and economic development. It has resulted in the misallocation of resources, poor governance, and a lack of essential services to the people. Corruption has also undermined democracy and the rule of law, with political parties and leaders using corruption as a means to maintain power and control.

Measures | The Indian government has taken several measures to address corruption, such as setting up anti-corruption agencies, enacting laws and regulations, and promoting transparency and accountability in public institutions. However, corruption remains a significant challenge in India, requiring continued efforts and political will to combat.

Citizens also have a crucial role to play in fighting corruption by refusing to participate in corrupt practices, reporting corruption, and demanding accountability from their leaders. Addressing corruption in India requires a collective effort from all stakeholders, including the government, civil society, and citizens, to build a more transparent, accountable, and fair society.

Corruption has been a rampant problem in India for decades, plaguing all levels of society, from the poorest to the richest. Corruption in India takes many forms, such as bribery, embezzlement, nepotism, and misuse of public resources. It undermines the country's democratic institutions, weakens the rule of law, and has severe consequences on social and economic development.

Causes For Corruption

Lack of transparency in public institutions provides an environment conducive to corruption. When there is no transparency in government functioning, it is easier for officials to engage in corrupt practices without fear of detection or punishment.

The weak legal system in India is also a significant contributor to corruption. Corrupt officials can evade justice, and the lack of severe punishments acts as a deterrent to corrupt practices.

Political influence is another significant cause of corruption in India. Politicians use their power and influence to benefit themselves and their associates, often at the expense of the public interest.

Poverty and a lack of economic opportunities create an environment where corruption thrives. People in positions of power often exploit the vulnerable to engage in corrupt practices.

Despite various anti-corruption measures, a lack of political will to tackle corruption remains a significant challenge. Corruption often goes unchecked because of a lack of will to enforce laws and regulations.

Addressing the root causes of corruption in India requires a comprehensive approach that involves structural reforms, strengthening of institutions, and a change in societal attitudes towards corruption. It requires a concerted effort from all stakeholders, including the government, civil society, and citizens, to build a more transparent, accountable, and fair society.

Reducing corruption in India is a complex and challenging task that requires a multi-faceted approach. Here are some steps that can be taken to decrease corruption in India.

Strengthening institutions such as the judiciary, law enforcement agencies, and anti-corruption bodies can help reduce corruption. These institutions should be provided with adequate resources, training, and autonomy to perform their functions effectively.

Greater transparency in government functioning can help prevent corruption. Measures such as public disclosure of government contracts, budgets, and decision-making processes can help reduce opportunities for corruption.

Encouraging citizen participation and creating channels for feedback is another method that can help in the eradication of corruption. This can be done by promoting citizen engagement in decision-making processes, creating whistleblower protection laws, and establishing grievance redressal mechanisms.

Strict enforcement of laws and regulations is critical to reducing corruption. This requires political will to prosecute corrupt officials and to ensure that they are held accountable for their actions.

Promoting ethical leadership can help reduce corruption by ensuring that leaders at all levels of government are selected based on their integrity and track record of ethical behavior.

The use of technology can help reduce corruption. For example, e-governance systems, online portals for filing complaints, and digital payment systems can reduce opportunities for corruption.

Educating the public about the negative effects of corruption and promoting ethical behavior is crucial to reduce corruption. This can be done through awareness campaigns, education in schools and colleges, and public service announcements.

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• Corruption Essay

Essay on Corruption

Corruption refers to any act performed by individuals or a group in lieu of some form of bribes. Corruption is considered to be a dishonest and criminal act. If proven, Corruption can lead to Legal Punishments. Oftentimes the act of Corruption comprises the rights and privileges of some. It is very hard to find a definition that takes into account all the characteristics and aspects of Corruption. However, as responsible citizens of the Nation, we all must be aware of the true meaning and manifestation of Corruption in its every form so that whenever we come across it we can raise our voice against it and fight for justice. 

Place and Process of Corruption

Corruption is very common in government or private offices. The most common acts of Corruption involve some form of Bribery. Bribery involves some use of improper favours and gifts exchanged for personal gains of some sort. Moreover, Corruption is often found to be intertwined with embezzlement. Corruption can take place in many ways and in any public and private office. It is observed that most people in a position of power or authority are more likely to be involved in corrupt acts.  

The actual reasons behind Corruption are believed to be greed and selfishness. Bribery can include a range of favours like money, gifts, company shares, sexual favours, entertainment, political benefits as well as personal gain. One or more of such favors can inspire people to indulge in Corruption and preferential treatment and also inspire them to overlook criminal activities. 

Embezzlement, on the other hand, is another form of Corruption. An embezzlement is an act of withholding or concealing information about personal assets for the purpose of illegal trading or threat. Embezzlement generally involves people who were entrusted with the assets in question in the first place. Apart from being an act of Corruption, embezzlement is also an act of financial fraud. 

Another important form of Corruption is the graft. It is a global form of Corruption. It is also one of the most noteworthy and widespread corrupt practices in existence. Grafting refers to illegally using a politician's authority to achieve personal gains or goals. An eminent Example of this would be politically influential people misdirecting public funds to meet their own selfish needs.

Another important form of Corruption is extortion. Extortion means obtaining property, money or services through illegal means. Extortion takes place by taking advantage of individuals through coercion, threats or influence. It is very similar to blackmail. One of the oldest forms of Corruption is nepotism and favoritism. Both of these practices involve people being favored for a position or task due to his or her filial or familial status or ties. 

Another form of favoritism includes influence peddling. In this case, one's influence on people in power is used to get work done. The last form of Corruption is an abuse of discretion, in this type the person is power uses his or her authority to bend legal proceedings.

How to End Corruption? 

Corruption not only hinders working in an organization but also affects the economy of a country and the efficiency of various services. To stop Corruption, the government must take stricter measures. Existing laws must be strictly implemented and if the need arises, new laws are introduced. Workplaces should be strictly monitored to prevent any unethical exchange of favors. Only an end to small forms of Corruption can result in a cumulative effect and bring a significant change in Society. 

FAQs on Corruption Essay

1. How to write an essay on Corruption?

To write an essay on Corruption, the writer needs to have an understanding and get some research done on the topic. After they know something about the topic, a broad topic line and the layout of the essay can be figured out based on the number of words required to write the essay. Students can then start writing by giving a quirky and compelling headline that captures the reader's attention. After giving the headline, come the major and most important paragraph of the essay, that is, the introduction of the essay. The introduction sets the feel of the essay and should be written keeping that in mind. 

Most people who will see the essay will go through the headline and the introduction paragraph and this will set the impression if the reader will read the complete essay or not. Students can then move on to writing three to four paragraphs or more in the body part where they can explain more about Corruption, why it happens and how to solve the problem of Corruption. This will be the main content part of the essay. Then the student can conclude the essay with a nice conclusion which the reader will take with them, it should include the gist of the whole article and its important points. This is how students can write an essay on Corruption. They can also refer to Vedantu's website where they can find essays on Corruption and other topics that they can use or refer to.

2. How to prepare to write an Exam?

Essays are a form of creative writing which is often tested in Exams for a good weightage of marks. Creative writing is a skill and like all skills, it can also be learned. To write long-form content like this, where minimum word limits are given, it's necessary to note the information, one knows about the topic and then divide the topic in optimum layout to cover the maximum and minimum word limit. 

Any essay should be divided into 3 parts- The Introduction, The Body, and The Conclusion. The introduction of any essay is very important as a good introduction can really impress a teacher. The body contains the main facts, data, and explanation of the introduction. Conclusion concludes an essay with a complete list of the topic. Good words and proper use of grammar will give a different shine to your essay and the complete English Exam. 

Essay writing can be difficult for some students, but students should remember that essay writing is an easy and high-scoring area in an English Exam or test. Students can learn more about Essay Writing at Vedantu's official website where they can browse from various Examples of essays written by our best English teachers to help the students to get full marks in content writing. This is how students can write an essay in an Exam and get full marks.

3. Why does Corruption exist in Society?

Corruption is the venom that can destroy any Society. Tackling Corruption is indirectly tackling people's mindset and handling their needs by keeping the system fair and equal for everyone. The last decades have shown a lot of growth in the overall condition of the country but the Corruption rates have also sky-rocketed. Corruption can also exist because greedy people have a good network and contacts that get the work done.  Corruption can give one temporary control over their time but they should remember that they'll eventually be caught one day.

4. How to write a good body in an essay?

Essays are long-form creative writing exercises that can be often difficult for many students. The most time-consuming and biggest element of an essay is the body which comprises all the facts, explanations, and examples of the essay.  After writing a perfect and compelling introduction, the writer has to start the main heart and soul of the essay; the body. 

The body can be started by explaining the introduction statements and explaining one's opinion on the topic. These explanations and opinions can be backed up by some evidence, facts, or theories. That's how one can write a good body element in an essay. To study more about essay writing, one can check Vedantu's official website where they can browse many Examples and sample written essays on several topics by the best English teachers. Students can master the skill of essay writing with some practice and guidance.

5. What makes a good conclusion in an essay?

Essays are divided into 3 parts where the conclusion comes last after an introduction and the body. Introduction and body are important but the conclusion will decide how much the reader will take back with the conclusion is the concluding paragraph or paragraphs which need an essay with the gist of the complete essay. Unlike the introductory paragraph, which outlines the general idea of the essay, the conclusion should precisely confirm why one's thesis is correct using the facts from your supportive body paragraphs. That's why a conclusion is an important part of an essay and should be written that way. To learn more about essay writing, one can check out Vedantu's official website where they can find the format, Examples, and tips to write a good essay and a good conclusion. They'll find essays written on numerous topics by the best English teachers at Vedantu.

Kerala CPI(M)’s ‘upright’ image takes a beating as corruption allegations galore

Media critic, on condition of anonymity, said never before the kerala unit of the cpi(m) has been caught in multiple issues to this extent..

Thiruvananthapuram : With skeletons of corruption tumbling out of the Kerala unit of CPI(M)’s cupboard, the “upright and vocal” image of the ruling party appears to have taken a beating.

The man on the radar is none other than Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan who is passing through his worst ever times after allegations of corruption against him and his family are flowing thick and fast.

Ever since the income tax department’s perusal of the papers of Kochi-based mining company CMRL came out in the open, his daughter Veena Vijayan has come under fire.

Investigations have revealed that her company was paid Rs 1.72 crore for no services rendered and then began a war of words when first time Congress legislator Mathew Kuzhalnaden revealed much more and left the CPI(M) and its top brass running for cover.

Despite ten days of the news, neither Vijayan, nor Veena or her husband- State Minister for Tourism P.A.Mohammed Riyas has spoken a word on it.

TV channels also showed the party spokesperson K. Anilkumar walking out of news debates unable to either clarify or come out with convincing responses on questions on Veena’s IT firm.

And, if this wasn’t enough, came the news the other day of a 22-hour-long raid by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) officials at the residence of senior CPI(M) legislator and former State Minister of Cooperation A.C.Moideen.

The raid revealed that many benami loans disbursed by the Karuvannur Service Cooperative Bank Ltd in Thrissur- the home district of Moideen was on his instructions.

In an official release, the probe agency said they “conducted search operations under PMLA, 2002 on 22/08/2023 at five locations across the state of Kerala as part of investigation against benamis and beneficiaries who siphoned off bank funds of more than Rs 150 crore from the Karuvannur Service Cooperative Bank’.

What has come as a huge shocker to the party is Moideen being asked to appear at the Kochi office of ED on Thursday.

Meanwhile, on Friday, State Congress president K.Sudhakaran is appearing before a local court to testify against state CPI(M) secretary M.V.Govindan in a defamation case he has filed for his curt remarks linking Sudhakaran in a Pocso case.

A media critic, on condition of anonymity, said never before the Kerala unit of the CPI(M) has been caught in multiple issues to this extent.

“The otherwise vocal national leadership of the CPI(M) known for coming out with statements if this happens in other parties, has nothing to say about what’s happening to their party in Kerala. The sight of general secretary Sitaram Yechuri ducking the media when asked about the turn of events in the Kerala unit reveals the state of affairs in the CPI(M),” said the critic.

Even Vijayan, who is known for his very open attack on his detractors for the past six months, has not opened his mouth and when many thought he clear the air on all the allegations at the election rally at Puthuppally, his rare public appearance on Thursday evening in the past six months, but it did not happen.

So, now one has to wait till September 11th when the Assembly resumes its present session which was put on hold after the Puthupally by-election date was announced.

Puthupally will go to polls on September 5 and votes counted on September 8.

All eyes are on September 11, when the new Puthupally legislator gets sworn in. Taking into consideration the current scenario, chances of a Left candidate winning the polls appears slim.

And if it happens, then Vijayan will be breathing easy, if not only time will tell.

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Essay on Kerala

Students are often asked to write an essay on Kerala in their schools and colleges. And if you’re also looking for the same, we have created 100-word, 250-word, and 500-word essays on the topic.

Let’s take a look…

100 Words Essay on Kerala

Kerala: the introduction.

Kerala, a state in India, is known as ‘God’s Own Country’. It’s located in the southern part of the country and is famous for its natural beauty.

Geographical Features

Kerala is blessed with unique geographical features. It has high mountains, deep valleys, and long coastlines. The Western Ghats and Arabian Sea add to its charm.

Culture and Tradition

Kerala’s culture is rich and diverse. It’s famous for its classical dance forms like Kathakali and Mohiniyattam. The Malayalam language is widely spoken here.

Kerala’s economy thrives on agriculture, fisheries, and tourism. It’s known for its spices, coconuts, and tea plantations.

Kerala, with its diverse culture and stunning natural beauty, is a gem of India. It’s a perfect blend of tradition and modernity.

Also check:

• 10 Lines on Kerala
• Paragraph on Kerala
• Speech on Kerala

250 Words Essay on Kerala

Introduction.

Kerala, often referred to as “God’s Own Country”, is a state in the southern part of India. Renowned for its unique geographical features, Kerala boasts a blend of serene beaches, tranquil backwaters, lush hill stations, and exotic wildlife, which makes it a paradise for tourists.

Cultural Richness

Kerala’s culture is deeply rooted in a history of diverse influences, from Dravidian and Aryan cultures to Arab and European. The state is famous for its traditional dance forms like Kathakali and Mohiniyattam. The Malayalam literature, enriched by the works of writers like Thakazhi and M.T. Vasudevan Nair, is another cultural treasure of Kerala.

Economic Activities

The economy of Kerala is largely service-based, with services contributing to around 64% of the state’s GDP. It is also a major hub for spices, tea, and rubber production. The state’s literacy rate and Human Development Index are the highest in India, reflecting its emphasis on education and social welfare.

Environmental Conservation

Kerala’s environmental conservation efforts are commendable. The state is home to numerous national parks and wildlife sanctuaries. It also leads in sustainable practices, with projects like the Silent Valley National Park, which serves as a testament to its commitment to preserving biodiversity.

Kerala stands as a unique blend of natural beauty, rich culture, and social welfare. Its achievements in education, health, and environmental conservation set a benchmark for other states in India. Kerala truly embodies the essence of “God’s Own Country”.

500 Words Essay on Kerala

Kerala, also known as ‘God’s Own Country’, is a beautiful state located in the southern region of India. It is renowned worldwide for its mesmerizing natural beauty, rich cultural heritage, and diverse traditions. This essay aims to provide an in-depth understanding of Kerala, its unique attributes, and its significant contributions to India.

Geographical Splendor

Kerala is blessed with a unique geographical location, nestled between the Arabian Sea on the west and the Western Ghats on the east. The state’s topography is characterized by a network of 44 rivers, serene backwaters, lush hill stations, and stunning beaches. Kerala’s biodiversity is another remarkable feature, with two national parks, 12 wildlife sanctuaries, and several reserve forests, home to numerous endemic and endangered species.

Cultural Heritage

Kerala’s cultural heritage is as diverse and vibrant as its geography. The state is a fusion of Dravidian and Aryan cultures, which is evident in its music, dance, cuisine, and traditional art forms. Kathakali and Mohiniyattam are two of the most famous classical dance forms originating from Kerala. The state’s festivals, such as Onam and Vishu, are celebrated with great enthusiasm and reflect the rich cultural ethos of the region.

Economy and Development

Kerala’s economy is primarily service-oriented, with tertiary sector activities contributing to over 60% of the state’s gross domestic product. The state is a major exporter of spices, coir products, marine products, and handlooms. Kerala also has the highest Human Development Index (HDI) in India, indicating its superior living conditions and social development.

Education and Literacy

Education in Kerala is another area of commendable achievement. The state boasts a literacy rate of 96.2%, the highest in India, thanks to its effective literacy programmes. Kerala’s educational system emphasizes quality and inclusivity, with a focus on holistic development and critical thinking.

Healthcare and Social Welfare

In terms of healthcare, Kerala sets an example for the rest of the country. The state’s healthcare system is well-structured and accessible, ensuring a high standard of health and longevity for its residents. Kerala’s social welfare programs are equally impressive, ensuring the wellbeing of its most vulnerable citizens.

In conclusion, Kerala is a state that beautifully blends natural beauty, cultural richness, and progressive social policies. Its achievements in education, healthcare, and social welfare are a testament to the state’s commitment to sustainable and inclusive development. Kerala truly embodies the essence of ‘God’s Own Country’, offering a glimpse into a unique blend of nature, culture, and development.

That’s it! I hope the essay helped you.

If you’re looking for more, here are essays on other interesting topics:

• Essay on Culture of Kerala
• Essay on Cultural Programme
• Essay on Heritage Handloom

Apart from these, you can look at all the essays by clicking here .

Happy studying!

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