Anupam- The Dreamer

We need different kinds of developments to make our nation developed like infrastructure development, industrial development, environmental development, social development etc. But, often in this discussion, one thing we tend to overlook is this- development for whom? For the people obviously! Then, why do we forget the basic and core element of the studies of development, which is the “HUMAN DEVELOPMENT”!

Take for example, the case of Japan. A nation devastated by the 2^nd World War, defeated brutally, crushed morally and economically, bore the brunt of the only two nuclear bombs used till date in human history, millions killed in the war and the nuclear bombings. This little island nation had very limited resources of its own to build an industrial base. A nation ravaged by the vagaries of natural calamities like massive earthquakes, tsunamis, volcanoes, typhoons etc. Very little geographical area that can be used to develop industrial base. Still, after all these limitations, Japan succeeded to become the 2^nd largest economy in the world in terms of GDP by 1988! You don’t believe it? Read this : https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Economy_of_Japan

What was the reason behind this success story which propelled Japan from being a war-ravaged nation to becoming 2^nd largest economy after the USA in just 43 years after the 2^nd World War? It was nothing but “The focus on Human development”. Japan’s education system, healthcare system, its work ethics, its civic sense, its focus on delivering quality in all the products and services, its culture, all helped Japan overcome its numerous limitations and become one of the greatest nations in the 20^th century! Japan didn’t have the iron ore, or coal, but still it became one of the top 3 producers of steel globally. Its steel companies like Nippon Steel are still among the best in the sector. Its automobile industry is counted among the best- with the likes of Toyota, Honda, Suzuki. Its electronics industry also among the best- Sony is a classic example. And the reason behind their success was their visionary founders and the hardworking and talented people of Japan.

This proves that if the people of a nation are the best, then sky is the limit for their nation. Similar is the story of South Korea. A small nation with highly-skilled population is among the best in many sectors of economy like electronics, ship-building etc. Human development is the foundation of any development. Without this, no development in any other area can survive for long on its own. Therefore, if we want us to be among the best, then we cannot afford to put human development behind anything else. If our people are the best- in terms of health, in terms of education, skills, work ethics, socially and culturally, civic sense, imbibed with national pride etc., then they can do every sort of development. Setting up industries, making them among the top-class, creating employment opportunities, doing niche R&D, making top-notch indigenous defence equipments, creation of world-class infrastructure, cities, protecting environment, will be the natural by-products.

And if we fail to develop our human resource, then to expect that all the above sorts of development can happen at a fast pace, will be like asking a 2^nd class student to sit for the 12^th class exam and pass it with distinction! The humans have to be kept at the core of the developmental politics. And here, I mean all the people of a nation– not any particular section- irrespective of class, caste, religion, gender, region etc.  If we can do that, we can repeat the Japan’s story, or even do better than that! But only time will tell what story we are going to write…. I hope we write a glorious one in our journey towards becoming the one of the greatest!

Till next time….