to get back to kerala. tucked away on the south of india, it's perhaps one of the most painfully beautiful places on earth. even as i say that, i wince. and that's largely because i see a state going to ruin. on people's faces, all i could see was a curious mixture of apathy, aggressiveness and arrogance.

let's get to each point. the apathy is to everything around. classic case in point being the roads. they're downright pathetic. neither the government nor the people seem to care.

move on to business. honestly, i can't think of any profitable ventures in the state -- largely a function of a militant labour weaned on lame duck marxism that ought to be consigned to text books on history and egged by venal the politicians who can't see beyond their own backyards.

as for aggressiveness, it's downright obnoxious. take the driving for instance. the roads are too damn narrow and drivers don't seem to care if they crash anything. there's no respect for life. which is why it doesn't surprise me that kerala records among the highest casualties on the road in india?

as for the arrogance, i wonder where does it stem from? perhaps it's the high levels of literacy. almost every one seems to hold a post graduate degree -- from the bus driver to stewards in a restaurant. but honestly, what use is a post graduate degree if at the end of it you're incapable of holding your own in your chosen stream? worse still, what use is the damn degree if at the end of it, you're both unemployed and unemployable?

it's been a while since i've posted to the smorgasbord. have been travelling. spent most of my time in kerala -- so arrogantly called god's own country by clever ad men. truth is, it is that. as much as it is home to the devil's own people. and over the next couple of day's, i'll tell you why. and that, i hope, will mark the beginning a continuing series on india.

while on india, MIT's Tech Review (http://www.techreview.com) recently published a story on the 100 most promising technology innovators for 2002. six of them are of indian origin.

honestly heartwarming reading!!!! :-)

i intend to write brief profiles of them in businessworld's (http://www.businessworldindia) next issue.