Kochi: The widely held perception that the quality of life in Kerala is poor needs to be corrected, and happiness ultimately comes from within, said Dr Radha P. Thevannoor, Vice Chairperson of the SCMS Group of Institutions. She was speaking at a discussion on How to Improve Quality of Life held as part of the Summit of the Future, organised by Jain University, Kochi. She said she could never agree with the argument that “there is nothing in Kerala.” According to her, traffic congestion in the state is largely due to the increased purchasing power of people to buy vehicles. She also pointed out that even cities like New York have roads riddled with potholes. The belief that a better life is possible only abroad is merely an illusion, she said, while also criticising the reluctance shown by Kerala’s youth towards elderly care.
Baby John, President of the Pineapple Growers Association, argued that it is not possible to meet food demand solely through organic farming. He strongly supported chemical farming and stressed the need to ensure minimum support prices for agricultural crops. Emphasising food security, he warned that failure to ensure it could also threaten national security, citing Sri Lanka as an example.
Siju Sebastian, Chairman of the Vazhakkulam Charitable Trust, said lifestyle changes are among the biggest challenges faced by society. With fast food becoming increasingly popular in Kerala, the number of patients has risen, he noted. A healthy body is essential to achieve progress in all fields, and therefore lifestyle awareness should be included as part of education, he added.
Advocate Jaju Babu stressed the need to ensure a dignified life and a healthy environment, while clarifying that he does not believe the quality of life in Kerala is poor. He said the growing generation must be provided with a good learning environment and adequate playgrounds. Quality education is possible only when children are mentally and physically healthy. Music, sports and reading should be encouraged, and the younger generation should be made aware of fundamental rights, he said.
George P. Oommen, Technology Manager at IBM, said technology plays a crucial role in improving quality of life. Over the past decade, technological advancements have brought significant changes in the healthcare and agricultural sectors, he noted.
Social activist Diana Vincent, Founder of the Fourth Wave Foundation, spoke about the need to build strong resistance against the rising drug abuse in Kerala. She said anti-drug initiatives should focus more on youth aged 20–25, which represents the country’s average age group. Justice, she said, reflects the perspective of those who deliver services, while equality is the right of those who receive them. Through preventive efforts, she added, it is possible to protect everyone equally.
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