Exodus from Kerala, the beginning of a new ethos or loss of culture
Readers must have read the report in english.mathrubhumi.com 'With international migration at its peak schools in Pathanamthitta are running empty', dated 13 August 2023 with great concern. The district of Pathanamthitta has the lowest number of students enrolled in public schools in the entire state, mostly due to migration to the European Union, US, UK, Australia and Canada, which is relatively much higher in Pathanamthitta when compared to the rest of the districts in Kerala. The number of Pathanamthitta natives who have become permanent citizens of foreign countries is also considerably high. Why this exodus from God’s own country?
A major reason why people migrate is income differences between origin and destination countries. Rich countries attract more immigrants, especially from countries with younger populations. Political, demographic, socio-economic and environmental situations are major contributors to migration. These can be said to be the main drivers of migration, and are largely out of individuals’ control. Social media nowadays attract people out of their origin countries by raising awareness of living conditions in the affluent world, with the diaspora link acting as a strong attractor for youngsters, especially nurses.
Present day migration of Keralites is being spearheaded by qualified nurses. There is a sharp demand for nurses especially in the West European countries, Australia, New Zealand, Canada and of course the United States. For several decades, nurses were flocking to the Gulf countries, which gave them handsome remuneration. Gulf countries were mere employment destinations, there was never a desire to settle down there, not just due to climatic conditions but also because of political and religious policies.
However, Western nations changed this complete dynamic by offering instant employment, family visas, permanent residence, occupational prestige, free education for children, housing, and an easy opportunity to upgrade lifestyles (not necessarily superior but having a special charm for youth).
This proved to be a game changer. Even well experienced Keralite nurses from the Gulf are now heading to Western countries. Though the UK is a much sought after destination, as nurses have good knowledge of the English language, the younger generation of nurses are learning German, French, Dutch, and even Nordic.
As demand for nurses in Western nations is estimated to skyrocket, the demographic profile of Kerala will change irrevocably. The US requirement is projected to be around an average of 1.94 lakh new nurses every year. By 2025, Germany will need 1.50 lakh, UK about 70,000, and Switzerland will need about 65,000. In addition, Australia, New Zealand, Japan and Israel are also extending tempting offers. Health sector alone in the West will be in need of 1.06 crore nurses! What are the future implications for the demographic balance in Kerala, as it is not just one individual who is leaving, but an entire family unit?
Working abroad for livelihood and migrating to different lands for permanent residence, are two entirely different propositions. While the former is a temporary employment oriented change of residence, the latter is a permanent change of residence, with family, not only for employment, but also future citizenship of an alien country. The children growing up in a different country will quickly adopt those lifestyles, language, and culture, and forgo all roots with their ancestral land. Many nurses also end up marrying foreigners and settling down in far away countries. What is going to be the future implication for Kerala?
While the exodus from Pathanamthitta district is high in volume, other districts are also facing a similar problem. Growing number of youngsters are leaving the State and are unlikely to return. Those going for higher education are also motivated by the prospects of acquiring citizenship in Western countries.
Demographic changes are happening in Kerala imperceptibly, which will inevitably translate into political, economic and cultural changes. The State has already become heavily dependent on labour workforce from North Indian and North-East States, for many unskilled, skilled and manual jobs. As lakhs of highly skilled and educated Keralites migrate to Western countries, lakhs of non-Malayalees, mostly unskilled labour, and uneducated, are steadily pouring into the State, many with their families, which will also mean their children studying here and ultimately settling down here. It also adversely affects the quantity and quality of labour available for production as the most skilled and educated workers in the economy have left in search of better economic opportunities. In the not too distant future, political changes caused by demographic changes are inevitably bound to happen.
Apart from lack of suitable employment avenues, other factors propelling the unabated international migration are higher wages, better employment opportunities, a higher standard of living and educational opportunities in new disciplines. The overwhelming perception among educated Keralites is that neither the State government nor the State bureaucracy has any vision for creating an advanced economy. ‘Advanced economy’ is a term used by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to denote an economy having a high level of per capita income, a very significant degree of industrialization, a varied export base, and a financial sector that's integrated into the global financial system.
While all these indices may not be within the exclusive domain and control of the State government, to direct and develop, even the State’s core sovereign functions—revenue collection, public goods provision, public order, and justice, are bristling with well-entrenched infirmities and major unrectified deficiencies. The performance of frontline functionaries in government is routinely hit by scams and scandals and much time and effort wasted to dress up naked corruption as representing ‘consultancy fees’.
The upper echelons of the bureaucracy are either a pusillanimous lot or disenchanted, or keep feathering their nest by functioning as active collaborators or mediators in the dealings of the ruling political class. The average educated Keralite, who was not lucky to qualify in the civil services examination, nor had the courage to enter the fierce political arena, justly feels that migrating to foreign lands is the only option to upgrade their lifestyle and career growth.
In the process, Kerala will see new settlers, different cultures, values, social relations, and the inevitable challenge of blending and assimilating. The great challenge that Time will throw at us is whether they will assimilate and accept our social and cultural practices or those left behind in God’s own land, will have to accept the new ethos being brought in.
Dr. G. Shreekumar Menon is a retired IRS officer who served as the Former Director General of National Academy of Customs, Indirect Taxes & Narcotics.