Human development — India is up, but still 128th in world

When compared with its neighbours, India falls far short of the levels attained by war-torn Sri Lanka, with its HDI rank of 84 and its GDI rank of 68, although it is better placed than Pakistan with an HDI rank of 135 and Bangladesh at 146.

There are several areas of serious concern that Indian policy makers would be advised to scrutinise. While general life expectancy in the country has risen from 50.3 in 1970-1975 to 62.6 in 1995-2000, infant mortality levels are still at the unacceptable level of 69 per 1,000 live births, with 29.7 per cent of the people not expected to survive to age 60.

What’s more, severe pockets of deprivation persist despite affirmative action. The adult literacy rate among women of the scheduled castes is still 15 per cent less than that of the national average for women.

A disturbing phenomenon is the sluggish dispensing of justice in the country. According to the report, in 1996, there were more than 2,000 pending cases per judge.

As always, numerous nuggets of interesting data on international trends were thrown up. Here’s a sample: the combined wealth of the world’s 200 richest people hit $1 trillion in 1999; while the combined incomes of 582 million people living in the 43 least developed countries is $146 billion. Global inequalities of income increased in the 20th century by order of magnitude out of proportion to anything experienced earlier.

Everybody understands the value of human development. What is not as widely perceived is the value of human rights. And what is hardly perceived is the link between the two. This year’s UNDP Report, which has human rights as its central theme, makes this important connection by underlining that both are crucial for securing basic freedoms and enhancing human capabilities.

The 20th century, the Report pointed out, has made giant steps towards democracy. In 1900, no country in the world gave all its citizens the right to vote. Today, in contrast, three-quarters of the world lives under democratic regimes.

Yet this does not mean that all groups within supposedly democratic nations enjoy basic human rights. The Report emphasises the importance of “inclusive democracy” which protects the rights of minorities. Western Europe, for instance, which figures high in terms of development indices, has seen immigrant minorities being subject to racism and violence.

The Report observes that the exclusion of marginalised minorities — from Canada to India — is the “Achilles heel” of many majoritarian democracies. Elections are not enough, is the message sought to be conveyed. All rights for all people in all countries should be the goal of the 21st century, it believes.

Some of India’s experiences in strengthening and deepening human rights came in for special mention in the Report. The Supreme Court’s recognition of the right of all citizens to free education and basic health care was seen as a landmark judgment, as was the Government’s affirmative action in economic and political spheres for scheduled castes and tribes. Reservations for women in local bodies like panchayats came in for special commendation.

The Report also highlighted the role of NGOs in facilitating the process of democratisation. The struggle waged by the Rajasthan-based Mazdoor Kisan Sangarsh Samiti for people’s right to information was viewed as a major initiative of this kind.

Ultimately, the Report only reiterates an old truth that has found mention in numerous social and religious texts over the centuries: human equality, human dignity and responsibility to others are the hallmarks of civilisation.