Nilambur...
Geographicaly,in the district of Malappuram, Kerala state, India.
Demographically,25%Christians,40 %Hindus,35%Muslims, 50%extremist fanatics,40% unemployed and 45% below poverty line.
Personally, my home land.
Malappuram has been in the news for good and bad reasons.According to the state govt,it is the first district of the state to have achieved 100%computer literacy (as in,at least one member of the family knows what to do if they are given a computer).Perhaps it holds the world record for celebrating such a fete with pomp though not more than 5% of the population knows how to switch on a computer.I don’t think any other place on this planet would celebrate such ignorance.
The government is not to be blamed.I would as much as kick any one who dare criticize the government for this.Ignorance is not a fault.Powered by the government servants who use their office comps gaming and chatting,if the government thought that what it need to teach the poor people is how to play simple flash games in a half an hour slot ,how on earth can you blame them?Afterall, that is the only good use to which its servants put the machine!!!So,the government did its best.With utmost dedication,it taught at least one member of the family how to catch mangoes in a flash game.People are happy!(“So this is computer”,they discovered!”How interesting!!”)And so is the government!!What an achievement!!Achieving computer literacy has never been easier.
And now,the government is again showing its commitment to make life easier by making sure that whoever is able to write his or her roll number on the answer sheet clears the board exam(if you cant even write that,what do the poor government do??)There was a time when you needed to know some words in English to clear that paper.Now it is not even necessary to know the alphabet completely.The burden on the poor kids has never been lower.And the future governments will face a tough challenge to make it lower.
But then,Nilambur is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful places in the state.With the unique teak forests,picterisque ravines and calm greenery,it is not far behind any tourist destination.Yet to be blemished by the talons of nature-wrenching tourism, the serendipity is all for you to explore...