India is a developing country
India is regarded as the world’s biggest democracy and second most populous country. It has posted a remarkable record of development socially, economically and politically since when she gained independence nearly seven decades ago. Though some aspects of India are world class, most of the issues affecting majority of the citizens are still indicators of a developing nation. Therefore, this article attempts to prove that India is a developing country and she needs to do much to be book a spot on the table of developed countries.
Education standards in India are still low especially in the northern states. India is still struggling with the problem of illiteracy in some areas. Education is a key driver for development and low literacy levels in some parts of the country are dragging the country’s economic progress. Illiteracy also leads to low income levels and hardly profitable economic activities that have no place in the 21st century. Whenever education quality and standards are low, retrogressive culture takes root and stalls economic, social, cultural and political progress. It is also a key factor in increasing unemployment levels in the country. Basic needs and high dependence ration also stem from such cultures and threaten her economic goals. Therefore, until this problem is addressed comprehensively, India’s quest for being a developed country will remain elusive.
Diseases and poor health facilities is also a challenge in India. It is undeniable that India has an elaborate health system but it is not accessible to every citizen at relatively affordable rates. Medication is still expensive to many households and shows a faulty health system. Creating a comprehensive and all-inclusive health system is nearly impossible and therefore it has affected the mortality rate of the country especially in the rural areas and in the northern states. Some diseases are a product of poor sanitation and open defecation which is rampant in the country. Sanitation is still a challenge in the country especially in the cities. Sanitation, diseases and good health system are necessary to map India as a developed country.
India also has high income inequality. The inequality is fueled by classicism and poor government policies. There a few billionaires relative to the country’s population who cannot afford basic needs. The system continually exploits the poor adding to the gap between the rich and the poor. The poor have very low income per capita which poses a huge challenge to the government in her bid to eradicate poverty. The country however maintains that less than 30% of her population is poor while according to international standards over 800 million live below $2 a day. This income inequality coupled with classicism and low per capita income clearly shows that India is a developing country.
India’s high population is also an impediment to her development agenda. As the second most populous country in the world, she ought to institute a plan in place to contain and reduce her population since bigger population will pose challenges and slow her development. One child policy among other measures can be taken to control the ever-increasing population with experts predict will overtake China’s in five years at the time of this publication. However, this measure ought to be applied with caution since it might lead to human resource crisis and hence economic crisis in the future.
Concisely, India has made major strides in development since she became independent. She has also become a recognizable power regionally and internationally for her economic growth. However, she still has a way to go to book her spot on the table of developed countries. This article highlights some of the reason why she is still developing and suggests possible ways that she can adapt to fast-track her progress.
