Kerala

Kerala
State
The serene backwaters of Kerala The serene backwaters of Kerala
Location of Kerala in India
Country	India
Capital	[[Thiruvananthapuram]]
Time zone	UTC+05:30 (IST)

Kerala, located in the southwestern tip of India, is renowned for its distinctive culture, lush landscapes, and vibrant traditions. This article focuses on the rich culinary heritage and advanced healthcare system that contribute to Kerala's unique identity.

Cuisine

Kerala's cuisine is as diverse as its landscapes, characterized by an abundance of coconut, rice, tapioca, and spices like black pepper, cloves, cinnamon, and ginger. The state's long coastline ensures a variety of seafood dishes, while the inland areas offer a plethora of vegetarian options.

Popular Dishes

• Sadya: A traditional vegetarian feast served on a banana leaf, featuring a variety of dishes including rice, Sambar, Avial, and Payasam for dessert.
• Appam and Stew: A breakfast favorite, Appam is a type of pancake made with fermented rice batter and coconut milk, often served with vegetable stew or chicken stew.
• Karimeen Pollichathu: A fish delicacy where Pearl Spot fish is marinated, wrapped in banana leaves, and cooked to perfection.
• Kerala Beef Fry: Despite the state's large vegetarian population, this spicy beef fry paired with Malabar parottas is a beloved dish across Kerala.

Street Food

Kerala's street food scene offers an array of quick, delicious eats:

• Kozhikodan Halwa: A sweet treat made from flour, sugar, and ghee, available in various flavors.
• Puttu and Kadala Curry: A breakfast staple consisting of steamed cylinders of ground rice layered with coconut, served with a chickpea curry.

Healthcare

Kerala is a pioneer in healthcare in India, boasting one of the highest literacy rates and the longest life expectancy in the country. The state's healthcare model is lauded for its accessibility, quality, and affordability.

Public Health Achievements

• Healthcare Infrastructure: Kerala has a well-established network of public health facilities, from primary health centers in rural areas to super-specialty hospitals in urban centers.
• Community Health Workers: The state employs a large number of community health workers, including the ASHA (Accredited Social Health Activist) workers, who play a crucial role in preventive and promotive health care.

Alternative Medicine

Kerala is known for its traditional medicine systems, notably Ayurveda, which is practiced alongside modern medicine. The state's natural bounty is conducive to the growth of medicinal plants used in Ayurvedic treatments.

• Ayurvedic Tourism: Kerala attracts health tourists from across the globe seeking Ayurvedic treatments for rejuvenation and healing.
• Panchakarma Therapy: A detoxification treatment that includes five procedures to cleanse the body, widely practiced in Kerala.

Challenges and Initiatives

Despite its achievements, Kerala faces challenges such as lifestyle diseases, aging population, and the need for upgrading healthcare infrastructure. The state government has launched several initiatives to address these issues, focusing on preventive healthcare, improving public health facilities, and promoting health tourism.

See Also

• Indian Cuisine
• Healthcare in India
• Ayurveda
• Tourism in Kerala

Hospitals in India

• Arunachal Pradesh
• Andhra Pradesh
• Assam
• Bihar
• Chhattisgarh
• Goa
• Gujarath
• Haryana
• Himachal Pradesh
• Jharkand
• Karnataka
• Kerala
• Madhya Pradesh
• Maharastra
• Manipur
• Meghalaya
• Mizoram
• Nagaland
• Odisha
• Punjab, India
• Rajasthan
• Sikkim
• Tamil Nadu
• Telangana
• Tripura
• Uttar Pradesh
• Uttarakand
• West Bengal

Hospitals in Union Territories

• Andaman and Nicobar Islands
• Chandigarh
• Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu
• Delhi
• Jammu and Kashmir
• Ladakh
• Lakshadweep
• Puducherry
• Healthcare in India
• Medical colleges