I've now spent ten months in Kerala after my transfer from Delhi. Many things have undergone a change but what baffles me is that the famous 'Malayalee' addiction to all round cleanliness has taken a beating. Consequently, ailments of all types are rampant and the average Malayalee continues to suffer silently as the govt hospitals are pathetically understaffed, badly maintained and quite a few of them, lack the latest medical tools to tackle normal, if not, additional workload! Paradoxically, all these are available in the 'five star hospitals' set up in the private sector but one needs a fortune to enjoy those facilities and hence, the common man is at a serious disadvantage.
Formerly, a 'mallu' used to flaunt his penchant for keeping his surroundings clean and used to make fun of his immediate neighbour from Tamilnadu, in that, he lived in much wretched and filthy conditions! I wonder what he's to say now with the widespread problem of illnesses that obviously stems from unclean/unhealthy living. I think, the 'mallu's' fabled cleanliness was limited to the four walls of his house beyond which, any amount of filth could accumulate and he didn't care a damn. It was someone else's problem, not his! And therein lies the problem.
It's indeed sad that a state like Kerala, whose people are more aware of things thanks to their high literacy levels, has neither taken steps to encourage serious thinking nor undertake massive initiatives focused on the setting up of an effective waste management system backed by scientific reasoning. The pathetic manner in which waste is managed, according to my perception, is the prime reason for the spate of illnesses plaguing the region.
An effective waste management system is the need of the hour. Let's not hesitate in our actions on this score!
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