Kerala Sastra Sahitya Parishad (KSSP), the pioneer People’s Science Movement in Kerala completes fifty years of its existence in 2012. All these years, it has been continuously intervening in different sectors of the State’s development; like environment, health, education, energy, gender justice, agriculture etc. Always it
stood for a scientific and pro-people development policy in all the fields. After two decades of neo-liberal economic reforms followed in the country, it is now seen that Kerala is also facing innumerable problems which affect the social life very deeply. The gap between the rich and the poor has increased enormously; production in the agricultural field shows a negative trend; unemployment swelled; exploitation of natural resources by different vested groups continues without any limit; violence on women goes on unchecked. In short, the whole social, economic and cultural scenario is in an undesirable condition. It is this risky situation that prompted KSSP to  launch a new massive campaign with a unique slogan “Must we have a different Kerala”. The objective of the campaign is to bring to the notice of the society the existing sad state of affairs in all spheres of Kerala more explicitly and to appeal to the people to come forward with teamwork and optimism to make it a different, better Kerala. The Campaign consists of a number of diversified activities like house-visits, meetings in front of residential complexes, Distributing of books and leaflets on various issues, exhibitions, film shows , Kalajatha, Padayatra etc… The first phase of the campaign for creating awareness among the people ends in Feb. 2012 with a Padayatra, covering the entire State. During the second phase, lasting for one year (2012-2013) 136 regional committees of KSSP would undertake unique research and extension activities, one each in their own respective areas, pertaining to some issues closely connected with the life of the local people. The Campaign was formally inaugurated by Dr. K.N. Panicker, the well-known historian and scholar, on 31st Oct. 2011 in the Sahitya Academy Hall at Trissur. A number of celebrities from different walks of life participated in the function. In all the 14districts of the state, seminars are planned to be held on various vital issues, one each in 12 districts and 2 each in two districts. Experts in the respective field will be attending in all theses seminars. From 3rd December to 18th December 2011, three teams have performed Sastra Kalajathas Programmes in 182 centres all over the state. The message of the Campaign for a better Kerala was presented in these centres by the Jatha team. The next and last major activity of the first phase of the campaign is the conduct of a Padayatra for 15 days to cover the whole State by two teams. The first team starts on 14th January 2012 from Kanhangad (in Kasargode District). The padayatra of the second team will be inaugurated on the 15th Jan. 2012 in Vengannur (Thiruvananthapuram District) which is the birth place of the well-known social reformer Ayyankali. Both the teams will make a confluence at Alwaye on the 30th Jan. 2012. Everyday in each team, about 300 to 500 people, including at least 50 women,
will be walk about 20 kms in the Padayatra. Through this unique march, KSSP intends to take the message of the campaign to  the people at large of the State. Each Padaytra will be given reception in four centres a day. Thus, altogether, both the teams will cover 124 centres of reception and in all these centres the aim and objective of this great campaign will be presented in detail. Each team is accompanied by a mini Kalajatha team also to present some artistic performances. Socio, Political and Cultural leaders in all parts of the state are being invited to join the Padayatra and to address the people in various centres. The main thrust will be on  inculcating a sense of optimism among the people to strive for a  better Kerala. In all the centres of reception, the reception committee comprising of members from all walks of life, are now being formed. The volunteers of Parishad have already started the sales of books and leaflets on various themes by door to door campaign. The expenditure in connection with the reception of the jatha, including the food and accommodation of the members of the teams, would be met as usual by the net profit obtained from the sale proceeds of publications. It is expected
that this Padayatra would be resounding a clarion call for a new reformation movement in modern Kerala.