[MyThought] Growth vs Growth

Before going to our main topic lets us look what growth means to us. The definition of growth is vary from person to person , situation to situation , nation to nation .what is growth for India may not be growth for USA. Thus, we find that growth is a dynamic phenomenon that is changing it looks according to its environmental factors. In simple term growth defined as to make our environment a better place to live. Well it is a too simple way to express growth but in reality defining growth is far more complicate phenomenon. There are many indicators for growth because growth can’t be sustained on single factor. Some of these indicators are likes – Education, Sex ratio, Poverty etc.

 We can defined growth into two types one is industrial growth and other is social growth. These both kinds of growth have their own importance. Both kind of growth is needed to develop our importance in world. Although one growth led to others, but this is not always be the case. We are trying to explain the situation some of Indian state and definition of growth for them.

Now coming to topic when we see facts and figure, we find that the proportion of industrial growth is very high in the state of Gujarat, Haryana and Maharashtra. These states are comparatively growing much faster than other states. The industrial index of these states is much higher than overall average Indian index. Recent study conduct by associate member of chamber of commerce (ASSOCHAM) show that these three state comprising more than 30 per cent of total  private investment  including  from  both domestic and international investors. Gujarat is considered as a dreamland for investor due to its lucrative government policies, tax concession and ease of land acquisition. Gujarat story of high economic growth applauded by US Congressional report. Well , It is really good news  for India, who want to project it identity as a major economy in world by the 2020 because growth of Indian state will contribute to overall growth of India . Now there is a question, why only these state are growing not others? Well this is something related to many thing starting from leadership to geographical situation, from social condition to political situation prevalent in these state.

But, what we have learnt right now that is just a one side of coin. The other side of it still unexplored. We try to explore other side also that is social condition and growth in these states. Whatever be the scenario of industrial growth in Gujarat, Haryana and Maharashtra when we consider social condition prevalent in these state we find amazing result. Despite of economically advancement they are socially lagging behind some of under developed states in India. We consider case of each of these states separately.

Firstly, in the recent India human development report 2011 we find that Gujarat performing poorly on two key social indicators. 44.6% of children below the age of five suffer from malnutrition whereas nearly 70% of the children in the state suffer from anaemia. The results are bad enough considering states like Uttar Pradesh and Bihar have fared better than Gujarat on malnutrition levels. The Chief Minister of Gujarat in a press conference reasoned this kind of result because Gujarat female are more beauty conscious than heath conscious. Well everyone know that how much this is true and how many Miss India, Miss World and Miss Universe produced by Gujarat every year.

Secondly , every morning when you open your newspaper you must  find a news that “a woman raped or molested “ and most of this cases come from well-known state of Haryana . The situation of woman is real concern for Haryana government. Regarding woman, Haryana is most vulnerable state of India. If we go in detailed we are find that in Haryana sex ratio is one of the lowest in India. In fact some districts of Haryana have as low as 700 women per 1000 man. But this is not an argument to save the rapist or criminal. If the sex ratio is low, than reasons for that is female foeticide. No body want girl child there then how they wish that they find a bride for their male child. The Haryana is one of the most educated states in India, but still people thinking are traditional one. For them education is just a means of getting job not more than that. The Khap panchayat, which is also supported by Chief Minister of Haryana, argued that if we allow early marriage of girl it will reduce rape cases. What a rubbish argument ….this is a situation like “Ulata Chor Kotwal Ko Dante”. The wife of CM of Haryana also feels ashamed about this kind of thinking supported by her husband. And off-course in fact everyone who has little consciousness in his/her mind feels ashamed due to such kind of thinking of their leader.

Thirdly, just like woman situation in Haryana everyone aware with what is the situation of farmer in Maharashtra. From a decade onwards Maharashtra leading the state list with respect to Number of Farmer suicide. I don’t think this going to be matter of proud for Maharashtra government. Let’s search some more deep in issue, we find that suicide cases mainly occur in Vidarbha regions of Maharashtra. This region receives a very less rainfall because most part of it falls in rain shadow area. The main reasons of farmer suicide are unable to pay debt taken by farmer from money lenders .Farmers takes loan from money lenders at high rate of interest to bear high price of seeds, pesticides and irrigations facilities. then either drought damage their crops due to lack of irrigation facilities or if their crops fully grown then  due absent of an efficient agricultural market system they have to sell their crops farm products at a very low price , even this price are below than minimum support price fixed by government . So as results, they are not able to pay back debt amount which mounted every years. Finally, due to save itself from embarrassments of these money lenders farmers take extreme step of suicide. Now the question comes in our mind there are so much happening their but what is state government doing. There are many policies run by central government which provide cheap credit to farmers and also provide insurance to their crops from natural calamity. So if due to drought or other reason if their crops are damage they don’t have to payback. NABARD is an organization created by central government to deal with rural development and agriculture related issue. There is also irrigation scheme is running by government to provide irrigation to drought prone areas. Government also providing subsidies in seeds, fertilizers and pesticides to remove extra cost burden from farmers. If there so many scheme already present then why farmer incorporate suicide. This is because due to laziness of government in implementing these policies.Mumbai is consider as economic capital of India but outskirt of Mumbai there is lots of slum where people suffering from hunger and malnutrition.

So, we have just compare two perspective of growth for three states of India . And we find that economic advancement does not always lead us to social advancement. Industrial growth and Social growth are two different issues need to deals by government separately. Achieving a high success rate in Economic and industrial field does not guarantee good social condition for better lives for its citizen…that’s all.