Question

While India has performed relatively well vis-à-vis other developing countries (including its Asian neighbours) in terms of economic growth, India is yet to show the world that there is considerable progress in terms of human development indicators. Where India went wrong? Why did we not take care of our human resources? Discuss in the classroom.

Answer 1

India has achieved relatively high economic growth compared with many developing countries, but progress in human development has been slower. This happened mainly because adequate attention was not given to human resource development. Some major reasons are:

• Insufficient investment in education and healthcare.
• Unequal access to quality education and medical facilities.
• High levels of poverty and malnutrition.
• Gender inequality and discrimination.
• School dropouts and child labour.
• Lack of adequate skill development and employment opportunities.
• Poor sanitation, drinking water and basic health facilities in many areas.
• Large differences between rural and urban regions.

Economic growth alone cannot ensure development unless people are healthy, educated and skilled. India needs to invest more in education, health, nutrition, skill development, and equal opportunities so that economic growth is accompanied by improved human development.