50 years of Kerala

God's own country celebrated 50th birthday on 1st November 2006.
PM Manmohan Singh inaugrated the celebrations amidst the issues of security lapses in PM’s convoy .
Kerala is one of the top states in terms of human development index.
100% literate state.
Where first democratically elected communist government in the world came into power.
State rated high by National Geographic for tourism potential.
State where most number of suicides happen.
State with largest rate of unemployment among educated.
State where consumerism thrives on behalf of Keralites abroad.
Place where one MP's election is declared void allegedly making use of communal sentiments of people.
Place where reformists like Sri Narayana Guru who preached on 'one caste, one religion, one god for man' lived and died.
Place where ministers are known for making sensational news.
Land of K R Narayanan, Captain Lakshmi and Shashi Tharoor.
Land that gave birth to writers like O V Vijayan.
State with 44 rivers, excess rain and still facing water scarcity during summer.
Land of Neela Kurinji.
Ideal state once ruled by Maveli.
Land of Kalamandalam and Kathakali.
Place where Vasco da gama landed, paving the seeds of colonialization.
Homeland of valiant and brave Lion of Kerala, Kerala Varma Pazhassi Raja.
Land of jackfruit, coconut and ayurveda.
Motherland of Raja Ravi Varma.
Abode of Swami Ayyappan.
Birth state of K J Yesudas.
Land of Onam, Vishu, vallamkali and pulikkali.
Geographically Kerala may be 50 years young, but the distinct cultural identity existed even hundreds of years ago.