The Green Kerala Express, a television based social reality show on sustainable sanitation and development in the state of Kerala, involved local governments in a unique initiative to show case "green" initiatives while creating awareness on an unprecedented scale and featuring involvement of all stakeholders. The social reality show was a daily 40 minute interactive show involving all LSG institutions (999 rural and 58 urban) from March 2010 to July 2010.




The programme was initiated by the 'Suchitwa Mission'. Starting from the concept of 'sanitation', the scope extended to include holistic and sustainable development. Local Self Government Institutions had been engaged in undertaking a range of development initiatives as a result of devolution of almost one third state budget to them. The reality show was to show case success stories in the area of 'sustainable sanitation' and 'green' development. The Green Kerala Express featured development communication as opposed to political reporting. It was initiated by the State Suchitwa (Sanitation) Mission, Department of Local Self Government, Government of Kerala. The collaborators included the Centre for Development of Imaging Technology, Doordarshan-Thiruvananthapuram and the Kerala Institute of Local Administration. The programme 'Green Kerala Express' featured a 40 minute interactive show involving all Local Self Governance Institutions (LSGIs) (999 rural and 58 urban) from March 2010 to July 2010.
The initiative was to identify and recognize initiatives of LSGIs towards sustainable development, show case and provide momentum to sustainable development initiatives in local government space using a popular television genre of 'reality show', create awareness on sustainable development, create a knowledge bank of sustainable or 'green' initiatives, reward top rated initiatives selected through ranking by a jury and audience votes via SMS and to promote key messages on 'green' development-towards a sustainable future.
The implementation process involved began with the announcement of Green Kerala Express and invitation of entries from local governments relating to innovative practice in sustainable development. The budget for the purpose was an amount of Rs. 2 Crs. and entry fee of Rs 10,000. A cash prize of Rs. 1 Cr. for best rural initiative and Rs. 5 Crs. for the best urban initiative is given. Each entry would feature a ten minute video on practices/models being showcased and a written application providing overall development details of concerned Local Government. A preliminary screening of 200 entries by a Technical Committee headed by Principal Secretary, LSGD was carried out and entries from 140 rural and 12 urban local governments shortlisted for final presentations. The Green Kerala Express inaugural event on television featured the participation of Ministers, eminent experts, celebrities and a 'Green' theme song, brochures, leaflets, animations with key messages on environment and development as flash items during the show, advertisements and web portal including youtube channel. The Green Kerala Team travelled to all the shortlisted LGs and prepared two short films, one a cultural and historic profile on the LG and the other a modified version of the developmental model and included interviews with local people, elected leaders, officials, etc. Local government officials were invited to the live show where they presented their initiatives where the Chairperson/Mayor led the video presentation. A six member jury (five constant and one celebrity) pose questions and announce scores and audience invited to SMS their preference . Final ranking was based on weightage to jury scores and audience support.

Simultaneous uploading of show on youtube channel embedded in the Green Kerala Express portal. Blogs and comments were invited on the portal in addition to the posting of news, updates, related links and interviews.
The Green Kerala Express managed to reach out interactively to a state wide audience (estimated to be around 65,00,000 households including 12,00,000 households who have access only to Doordarshan). Positive stories on development initiatives by LSGs were prominent. Development initiatives are put up for public scrutiny. The Green Kerala Express bridged the gap between elected leaders and officials on one hand and the people through live and attractive presentations. The Television ratings were a record high, second only to news. Over a 200,000 SMSs were received. The GKE promoted peer exchange of good practices in a competitive environment
The total production costs was 223.19 lakhs and cash prizes cost Rs. 370 lakhs . The organization was unique with guidelines for conduct developed. The GKE is planned every five years, after each Plan Cycle. A Self rating system introduced. The 'knowledge bank' and videos on LSGI initiatives housed at KILA to be used for training and capacity building activities. Further, other states have also expressed interest in introducing a similar reality show and have sought the expertise of the agencies involved. The show Highlighted and engaged people on developmental issues in a positive manner. The conduct of the initiative was also exemplary with convergence of expertise and experience of different Government agencies. The GKE had interactive, live shows, scenes from daily life, travelogue narration, animations with key environmental, water related and sanitation messages all of which resulted in the popularity of the programme and a morale booster for officials and elected representatives alike For further details, contact:

Executive Director
Suchitwa Mission
Local Self Government Department
Government of Kerala
Panvila Junction, Thycaud, P.O. Trivandrum - 14
Ph: 0471 - 2327730, 2325730
Fax: 0471 - 2326334
Email: suchitwamission@gmail.com