Progress in India from education, not globalization

March 25, 2004
Progressive in India
To the Editor---New York Times:

If Thomas L. Friedman wants to see firsthand a model of good governance in India ("Software of Democracy," column, March 21), he should head out of Bangalore and visit the Indian state of Kerala. Its history has been one of radical governments and popular movements, a combination that has ensured its population a standard of health care and education that far surpasses the rest of India.

But, contrary to Mr. Friedman's precepts, this hasn't been done in conjunction with globalization. Instead, the state has brought this about by a combination of radical land reform and effective provision of basic services like education, medical facilities and public food distribution. The result is a level of social well-being among the people that is hard to find anywhere else in India.

AMITABH PAL
Managing Editor, The Progressive
Madison, Wis., March 21, 2004