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People & Lifestyle
Kerala, with a literacy rate of 90.86% (highest in India), is a state with a large majority of its people well-informed and well-educated. Almost all the people have had primary school education and they make it a point that their children get good schooling too. Most of the people are also fluent in English.
The traditional wear is Kerala Set Mundu or Mundum Neriyathum for women and Kasavu Mundu for men. The golden border sets a contrast to the otherwise plain white material, lending it a classic appeal. Though innovations such as a silver border or a mix of golden and other colours in the border are seen, the traditional kasavu remains the favourite.
Kerala is forward in terms of its health and medical facilities. There are well equipped hospitals and clinics even in the rural areas. In fact, Kerala is the first Indian state to have a hospital in every village. The state has the lowest infant mortality rate and has the highest life expectancy in India.
Even in terms of infrastructure and facilities Kerala outshines the rest of the Indian States. Kerala has eight National Highways and is also well connected by a vast railway network. The international airports at Cochin and Trivandrum have direct flights to Singapore, the Maldives, Colombo and most of the countries in the Middle East. The airport at Calicut has a few international flights but has mostly domestic flights connecting various parts of India.
The traditional industrial sector of Kerala, gives employment to more than 1 million people in the state. The industries include coir, cashew, handlooms, handicrafts and bamboo. Kerala is also a fast growing IT hub of the nation. The Techno Park at Trivandrum and Info Park at Cochin, employ thousands of engineers and technicians.
Kerala enjoys a good quality of life and is largely a consumer state. The boom in the IT sector has led to massive development in the state. Cochin, the commercial and industrial capital of Kerala is slowly transforming into a big metro. Malls, shopping complexes and multi-plex theatres, finding their way into the cities are just a few indicators of the progress in the state.