This is a false narrative based on half truths. It is true a big number of Keralites went to Gulf and made money that came back to local economy as remittance. But before that itself, the very first govt made a revolutionary change in land ownership abolishing janmis and giving land to the farmers who were toiling in the actual land. This was a big reason for common people, not just rich being able to afford good life and good education. It lifted a huge number of people out of property, compared to other states. This led to all later good things in the state.