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THEME PAPER
Introduction progress with human well- pride, however this very
being, equity, and social multifaceted concept of
India, the world’s largest justice. These pillars are not
democracy and one of its diversity itself poses unique
most dynamic economies, independent but intertwined challenges exclusive to us in
and mutually reinforcing,
stands on the threshold of a representing India’s ensuring that all segments
transformative era. As India of society benefit from
sets its sights on becoming holistic approach towards progress equitably. Economic
development. To navigate this
a Viksit Bharat (Developed journey, India must address inequality, social exclusion,
India) by 2047 marking the significant challenges while and discrimination based on
100 year of its independence, drawing inspiration from caste, gender, and religion still
th
its path forward will integrate diverse philosophical thought continue to be major hurdles
and be supported by the to create a future that is both to development.
pillars of inclusive growth, For instance, gender-based
economic expansion, prosperous and just for all. inequality remains one of the
sustainable infrastructure, In their book “Why Nations most pronounced issues in
environmental stewardship Fail, The Origins of Power, India. Despite socio-economic
and digital innovation. It is Prosperity and Poverty”, upliftment in certain aspects,
one of India’s most ambitious Daron Acemoglu and James women continue to face
yet challenging programmes A. Robinson, the joint challenges in education,
yet. Nobel Prize Winners in employment, healthcare,
Economics for the year 2024,
A developed country have argued that it is not and political participation.
is expected to provide According to the World
excellent quality of life climate, geography or culture Bank, India’s female labour
which causes some nations
for its citizens, enhanced to be more wealthier and force participation rate is
levels of infrastructure amongst the lowest in the
and economic prosperity. prosperous than others, but world. This gap has been
essentially the advantages
Through government reaped through the presence widening over the past few
initiatives and a commitment of virtuous political and decades. The International
to the moral values of both economic institutions which Labour Organization (ILO)
Eastern and Western thought, are non-extractive thus also reports that women in
India aspires to create a providing secure and inclusive India face a wage gap of
society where prosperity is approximately 30% compared
shared, opportunities are development triggering a to their male counterparts,
cycle of prosperity. In this
equitable, and development context the core emphasis particularly in rural areas. In
is sustainable. This vision terms of access to education,
of progress will guide India of our policies and the the Gender Parity Index
ideology
philosophical
through its complex journey behind them is crucial. (GPI) in education the gap
toward becoming a truly has remarkably reduced,
developed and globalised The bedrock of India’s however the gaps remains,
nation in the next quarter- development strategy especially in rural and
century. This multifaceted for 2047 undoubtedly economically disadvantaged
development agenda while emphasises inclusive and areas. According to the
being contemporary is equitable development. United Nations Educational,
grounded in both Indian India’s diversity based on Scientific and Cultural
and Western philosophical ethnic, cultural, economic Organization (UNESCO), as
traditions, reflecting an and geographical grounds per the National Survey of
integration of material certainly is a matter of India, the female literacy rate
10 HUDCO-HSMI Publication
