Navigating the complexities of transforming into a developed nation, India must strategically prioritize education, climate change, and healthcare. A comprehensive approach is essential, considering the challenges in these areas. The education system’s quality, demographic shifts, and the looming impact of climate change demand urgent attention. Amid a growing workforce, effective educational policies are crucial. Addressing climate change is imperative to safeguard the economy, with potential risks highlighted in the Reserve Bank of India’s report. Accessible, quality healthcare, especially post-pandemic, adds another layer of urgency. Balancing self-reliance and a robust industrial ecosystem completes the formula for India’s prosperous future.
As India marks 75 years of being a republic, the imperative to chart a transformative path towards becoming a developed nation looms large. The complexity of myriad policy areas requires a careful examination to determine where to initiate the journey for a country as vast and diverse as India. In this collective dialogue, it is crucial to identify priority areas that will shape the nation’s future. A comprehensive assessment of challenges and aspirations across sectors such as education, healthcare, infrastructure, technology, governance, and environmental sustainability becomes paramount.
Education emerges as a preeminent priority demanding immediate attention. A multifaceted evaluation encompasses parameters like the pupil-teacher ratio, infrastructure, sanitation, accessibility, and curriculum. However, the litmus test for the quality of education lies in the ultimate learning outcomes. With approximately 14.9 lakh schools, 95 lakh teachers, and a staggering 26.5 crore students, India boasts one of the largest education systems globally. Alarming trends, as revealed by the National Achievement Survey (NAS) 2021, indicate a decline in learning levels as students progress to higher grades. Urgent measures are needed to ensure a well-educated citizenry, prompting questions about the caliber of graduates and the effectiveness of knowledge absorption.
Looking ahead, India’s working-age population is poised to grow by approximately 9.7 million annually from 2021-31 and 4.2 million per year in the subsequent decade. This demographic shift presents a unique opportunity to harness the expanding workforce by fostering increased labor force participation. To convert this demographic into a dividend, educational policies must be shaped to strategically mobilize the working-age population. Additionally, consideration must be given to the implications of an aging population globally, with efforts directed towards ensuring social and health systems are well-equipped to cater to the needs of an elderly populace.
Addressing climate change and its repercussions emerges as the next critical imperative. The Reserve Bank of India’s Currency and Finance Report (2022-23) highlights economic vulnerability due to climate change, projecting that up to 4.5% of India’s GDP could be at risk by 2030. Extreme heat and humidity conditions threaten labor hours, and the scarcity of resources, especially water, poses a grave concern for the future. India, with 18% of the world’s population but only 4% of the world’s water resources, faces significant challenges. Accelerating efforts, such as the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM)-Har Ghar Jal, is essential to combat the collective impact of climate change and safeguard vital resources.
The imperative of affordable and accessible healthcare has become even more pronounced in the aftermath of the pandemic. India’s four-tier healthcare system, spanning grassroots, primary, secondary, and tertiary levels, with 1,66,000 Health and Wellness Centres, plays a crucial role. Beyond affordability and accessibility, the quality of healthcare needs attention. The integration of quality into universal health coverage is a recent development, and finding a harmonious balance among cost, quality, and access is paramount for an effective healthcare system.
In addition to climate, education, demographic dividend, and health, the concept of self-reliance or ‘aatmanirbharta’ has been extensively discussed. A robust industrial ecosystem is essential for India to be self-reliant. Encouraging statistics, such as DPIIT recognizing 92,683 entities as startups since the launch of Startup India initiative in 2016, signify progress. However, there is potential for substantial growth by addressing specific challenges that companies face throughout their business cycle. Michael Porter’s perspective on strategy, emphasizing the execution of activities that differentiate from competitors, resonates not only in the corporate context but also in formulating a nation’s strategy. Moving beyond rhetoric, understanding tangible on-the-ground realities and taking concrete actions is key in the context of the policy areas discussed above.
India stands at a pivotal juncture, and prioritizing education, climate change, and healthcare is paramount for sustained progress. A strategic and comprehensive approach, addressing challenges in these areas, will pave the way for a prosperous future. As leaders and citizens engage in a collective dialogue, moving beyond rhetoric to actionable policies is crucial. The demographic dividend, while an opportunity, requires effective educational policies. Climate change demands accelerated efforts, safeguarding resources through initiatives like the Jal Jeevan Mission. Post-pandemic, accessible healthcare gains newfound importance. Balancing self-reliance with a supportive industrial ecosystem completes the formula. India, with concerted efforts in these priority areas, can emerge as a beacon of progress on the global stage.
