True Kerala Story

BLOG 25/2025 DATED 29TH OCTOBER 2025

This is not about the ‘The Kerala Story’ but the story of Kerala, first state in India that is going to be free from ‘Extreme Poverty’. It is unfortunate that the people were more inclined to discuss and debate about the ‘The Kerala Story’ a movie released in 2023 rather than the extraordinary effort that the Keralites have taken to eradicate extreme poverty in the state.

In 2021, the Govt of Kerala planned to eradicate extreme poverty in Kerala and accordingly took a few steps. Recently, the Chief Minister of Kerala announced that on 1^st Nov they are going to declare that Kerala is free from extreme poverty, the day Kerala celebrates its 69 years of statehood. The day is celebrated with the name of Kerala Piravi (Kerala day.)

Back in 2021 Kerala launched an Extreme Poverty Eradication Project (EPEP). They identified 64006 vulnerable families and created specific micro plan for each family as per their unique need. The grassroot works were carried out by the support of Kudambashree workers, ASHA workers and civic representatives. An effort was made to make the drive inclusive and to ensure that the benefit of various central and state govt schemes reaches to the least privileged of the society. Focus was on providing basic necessities and making the people self-reliant. Individuals were assisted in obtaining necessary documents such as Aadhar Card, Ration Card, Pension papers etc to enable them to obtain the benefits of the govt schemes.

According to Niti Ayog 2023 National Multidimensional Poverty Index report, Kerala was on top amongst all the states as far as poverty eradication was concerned. As per the index top performing states were as under:

State	Poverty Index
Kerala	0.55
Goa	3.76
Sikkim	3.82
Tamil Nadu	4.89
Punjab	5.59

States that were lagging behind most were Bihar (33.76), Jharkhand (28.81), Meghalaya (27.79), UP (22.79) and MP (20.63). However, there was a decent amount of improvement in these states too.

Kerala’s achievement on the front of extreme poverty and not the poverty as such. Secondly, as per the international standards the extreme poverty is understood at a level where income is below USD 2.66 per day. UN also defines this as non-availability of basic amenities such as safe drinking water, sanitation facilities, education etc. However, in India extreme poverty is defined as where households are deprived of fundamental necessities such as Income, shelter, food and health on the basis of the Niti Aayog Poverty Index.

Coming back to the story of Kerala, we must say that other states can also take a clue from the efforts that the people of Kerala have taken to take themselves out of the extreme poverty.

Lessons from Kerala model for other states:

Adopt a multidimensional approach rather than only income recognition. Provide good health, education and sanitation facilities to rural and poor urban areas. It is the job of governments to provide quality health services, education system and sanitation facilities. Locals can come forward to support.

Strengthen decentralized governance like Kerala has adopted by involving civic authorities and NGOs. Kudambashree workers (an organization that primarily deals with upliftment of women) and ASHA (Accredited Social Health Activitists) workers played important role in achieving the target.

Implement targeted intervention as Kerala identified specific families and worked on their specific need. The approach should be to make them independent. Identification and focused approach will actually help those who are in extreme support need. This should be in addition to general civic efforts.

Ensure inter-departmental convergence so that people get benefits of govt schemes seamlessly and duplicity of efforts is avoided.

What Kerala can do, others can also do, what requires most is the Will of the respective governments and efficiency in execution.

Kerala deserves applause for the efforts they have made however it is to be ensured that it is sustainable and new families are not added in this category.

“Overcoming poverty is not a gesture of charity. It is an act of justice. It is the protection of a fundamental human right, the right to dignity and a decent life.”

— Nelson Mandela