Development is now perceived and defined in a very different way than it was
during the first three decades after the Second World War. During that period,
development was identified with growth in material output. Actually, abstractions of GDP rates, saving ratios and
technological co-efficient ruled the roost and human beings, social formations
and even the structure of State power were left out of purview. This is still the mainstream thinking on development
of economists and policy makers in India and several other countries.
However, visionaries, social reformers and leaders of India's
independence movement propounded a wider concept of development.
Mahatma Gandhi set before the nation the objective of "
wiping every tear from every eye". This literally sums up the more comprehensive
and inclusive concept of development that came to be recognized from the decade
of the 70s. It embraces the goal of meeting the basic needs of the people,
giving them freedom and dignity and creating an environment in which they can
be happy in a comprehensive sense of the term.
In the mainstream, development was identified with economic
development and social development was brought in only as thin icing on the
economic cake. In more specific terms, it was seen as promoting social welfare
and providing social services. The crucial role of the activities in the social
sector in promoting development remained recognized for several years.
Concepts such as meeting the basic needs of the people, changing the social
structure and participation in the process of development were articulated only
towards the end of the 60s and the early 70s. Even then they did not make much
of an impression on mainstream thinking.
Enhancement of capabilities, is now widely recognized as the
objective of development. The World Development Report (1999-2000) defines the
goal of development policy as the creation of "sustainable improvements in
the quality of life for all people".
Sustainable development for all people means, in addition to raising per
capita income, improving peoples’ health and educational opportunities, giving
every one the chance to participate in public life and helping to ensure a
clean environment.
