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Introduction -- Gender and development : a Bourdieusian framework -- Situating gender capital in Kerala -- Matriliny and kinship : transforming gendered habitus -- ICTs and gender capital at work -- Migrating gendered capital -- Victimization, symbolic violence and complicity -- Legitimate capital and the Adivasi deficit -- Conclusion.

INTRODUCTION: Health promoting school (HPS) is a holistic concept where health and learning coexist. The objective of this study was to assess the health promoting standards of schools in Kerala. METHODOLOGY: A cross-sectional study was designed in Kerala, India, with schools in Kerala as a study unit. A questionnaire which consisted of 37 items across eight domains of the HPS concept was developed and validated. The schools were then graded into compliant and not compliant categories based on scores obtained. Bivariate and multivariate analysis was also done. RESULTS: Of 120 schools, 90.8% were compliant toward health education domain and only 8.3% were compliant with nutrition services. Majority of schools showed compliance with the other six domains. Average overall scores were 153 (58.8%) with the equal number of schools in both compliant and not compliant categories. There was a significant association between health education and physical education domain with respect to the type of school, i.e., privately managed had six times more chances of being compliant toward health education domain compared to government schools (odds ratio [OR] 6.05; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.10–33.29). Hence, also private schools had two times more chance of being compliant toward physical education compared to government schools (OR 2.52; 95% CI 1.0 – 4.32). Physical education domain showed a significant association with respect to geographic region, i.e., the schools in North Kerala were found to be three times more compliant compared to South Kerala (OR 3.48; 95% CI 1.05–11.53). CONCLUSIONS: Despite the good health and social indicators in Kerala, there is a deficiency in schools promoting health of children. A coordinated effort by the government and the education system can convert existing schools into health promoting.

In India, the state of Kerala is considered as Gods own country. This Southern most state of India was cited by Amartya Sen as the model of Development, which shines in various aspects like literacy, secularism, technological pursuits, life expectancy and political upsurge. At the same time it bears impediments with respect to unemployment among educated youth, alcoholism, divorce and family breakdown. Despite these, another factor that can be added to the dread list is the spiralling suicide rate. The latest figures from the National Crime Records Bureau show that 8,431 people killed themselves during 2010; the State accounted for 6.2 per cent of the total number of suicides in the country. The NCRB data also showed that the national average suicide rate was 11.2 per lakh population during 2010, which was marginally lower than 11.4 per lakh population during 2009 (NCRB Report 2010). Though Keralas per centage share has come down, there has been an increase in the rate of suicide from 24.6 per lakh population in 2009 to 25.3 per lakh population in 2010 which is two times higher than national average; which means one suicide per hour. In fact, 2010 has had the dubious distinction of having witnessed the highest number of suicides in the last five years (NCRB reports 2010). Police sources add that 36 cases of suicide have already registered in the first two months of the current year. For each completed suicide there are 20 times more suicidal attempts. Each suicide, on an average leaves 20 times more people in severe distress (NCRB 2011). Maithri, an NGO in Kerala says that around 100 people attempt suicide every day in Kerala, of whom 25 are successful. More men kill themselves than women, the ratio being 7:3 and 80 per cent of the suicides are by those in the 15 to 59 age group.

Kerala State in southwestern India has achieved among the Third World's highest rates of life expectancy, literacy, & infant mortality, despite one of the lowest per capita incomes. Especially notable is the nearly equal distribution of development benefits to urban & rural, male & female, & high & low caste sections of the population. Even population distribution, a cosmopolitan trading history, & the development of militant worker & small farmer organizations led by dedicated activists account for these achievements. Land reform has redistributed wealth & political power from a rich elite to small holders & landless laborers. Public food distribution at controlled prices, large-scale public health actions, accessible medical facilities, & widespread literacy combine with & reinforce each other to maintain & expand Kerala's achievements. Serious unemployment is a threat, but Kerala nonetheless offers important lessons to development planners, policymakers, & Third World activists. 4 Tables. AA