Thread by @sunitarora

It’s ironical: the day the PM inaugurates a brand new govt complex (with some public spaces, no picnics please!) in the heart of the capital, we have a telling indicator of just how taxpayer’s money should be spent in a lower middle-income country. #UNDP #thread

India's low ranking in the UN's Human Development Index (HDI) is not surprising, and covid hasn’t been kind, but this is a telling indicator about a nation’s priorities when the chips are down. #HDI #Thread

HDI is measured on 3 key indicators — a long and healthy life, access to education, and a decent standard of living. India’s HDI has declined for 2 years in a row (2020 and 2021), reversing progress (India has been steadily catching up with the world average since 1990).

While covid is of course to blame for the recent failings, what does it mean for you, the average Indian.

* A LONG AND HEALTHY LIFE — Indians will on average die younger. In 2019, life expectancy in India was 69.7 years. In 2021, anything above 67.2 years is a bonus.

MEAN YEARS OF SCHOOLING: India’s expected years of schooling stand at 11.9 year. The mean years of schooling are at 6.7 years. Given poor schooling outcomes thank to covid, there's further irreparable damage to young learners.

INCOME LEVELS HAVE COME DOWN: Finally, the Gross National Income per capita level is $6,590, which places India as a lower middle-income country. Where are the jobs, and resultant prosperity that will drive people out of the clutches of poverty?

For a nation that seeks to take advantage of its demographic dividend, this report tell us some bald truths: how can unhealthy, poorly-educated and low-income population take India forward? (I'm not even getting started about malnutrition and gender issues here)

Should our leadership focus on vanity projects like sandstone buildings for super-PMOs and statues that kiss the sky? Or should we build primary healthcare centres, schooling with nutritious mid-day meals (eggs, pls) etc so that...

..the young in this country can look forward to healthcare that is not fuelled by medical insurance schemes and education that isn't driven by only 12-week skills training online capsules.

Source, the UN HDI: undp.org/sites/g/files/…