National Prosperity Index

26/Jul/2007 : Anna University, Chennai

While we are happy that our economy is in the ascent phase and our GDP is growing at nearly 9% per annum, it is evident that economic growth is not fully reflected in the quality of life of a large number of people, particularly in rural areas and even in urban areas. Hence, we have evolved what is called a “National Prosperity Index (NPI)” which is a summation of (a) Annual growth rate of GDP; plus (b) improvement in quality of life of the people, particularly those living below the poverty line plus (c) the adoption of a value system derived from our civilizational heritage in every walk of life which is unique to India. That is NPI=a+b+c. Particularly, ‘b’ is a function of availability of housing, good water, nutrition, proper sanitation, quality education, quality healthcare and employment potential. ‘c’ is a function of promoting the joint family system, creation of a spirit of working together, leading a righteous way of life, removing social inequities, and above all promoting a conflict free, harmonious society. This will be indicated by peace in families and communities, reduction in corruption index, reduction in court cases, elimination of violence against children and women and communal tensions. There should also be progressive reduction in the number of people living below the poverty line leading to its becoming near zero by 2020. All our efforts in improving the national economic performance should be guided by the measured National Prosperity Index of the nation at any point of time.

Vision abt India

Ambiance In The Nation 2007

In Indian history, our nation has come across a situation, all at a time, an ascending economic trajectory, continuously rising foreign exchange reserves, increasing domestic investment with investors’ confidence rising steadily, global successes of Indian managerial and entrepreneurial talents, global recognition of technological competence, energy of 540 million youth, umbilical connectivities of more than 25 million people of Indian origin in various parts of the planet and the interest shown by many developed countries to invest in our engineers and scientists through setting up of new Research and Development Centres in India. The distinction between the public and the private sectors and the illusory primacy of one over the other is vanishing. Also, there is a trend that many young people are opting for creating new enterprises instead of being mere employees. Providing leadership for the one billion people with multi-cultural, multi-language and multi-religious backgrounds is indeed the core competence of our nation. Our technological competence and value systems with civilisational heritage are highly respected by the world community. Also, Foreign Institutional Investors find investing in India attractive as the returns are high and assured. Indian industrialists are also investing abroad and opening new business ventures. Our Gross Domestic Product which stands at U.S. $ seven hundred and twenty nine billion is poised to grow at 10 percent annually which along with various other concurrent actions, will enhance the welfare of farmers, workers, professionals and unleash creativity of entrepreneurs, business persons, scientists, engineers and all other constituents of society. Today due to the open sky policy and competitiveness air travel has become affordable for the growing middle class. The Railways have introduced many improvements and people can book tickets through Internet. The revolution in travel has not only connected people but also boosted tourism and the economy. Tele-density in the country has gone up to 18 percent. Mobile telephones are reaching the common man and serving their needs. The One India Plan has made calling across the country easy and affordable. Our ICT sector is exporting more than U.S. $ twenty four billion and the Indian Pharma industry is ranked 4th in the world and exports nearly U.S. $ four billion of products. Our U.S. $ Forty four billion automobile industry is growing at the rate of 17 percent per annum. Our total exports in the last 8 months has crossed U.S. $ Eighty billion.

Our aerospace and aeronautical achievements are commendable. Six remote sensing satellites of various resolutions and spectral bands are providing valuable services in monitoring and management of natural resources. These have been further complemented with CARTOSAT-II launched on 10th January 2007 by PSLV-C7 along with the Space Capsule Recovery Experiment (SRE) and two other foreign satellites. The SRE after performing micro gravity experiments in orbit, has since been successfully recovered in Indian waters, leading to another technological milestone. Today, we have nine geo-stationary satellites in orbit including an exclusive EDUSAT for education. The country has successfully used advances in space technology and telecommunication towards creating tele-education as well as tele-medicine networks and village resource centres. SAKSHAT: The One Stop Education Portal has been launched by the Government to serve the quality education needs of 11th and 12th class students spread in any part of the country. Broadband has reached up to the block level in all the Districts. Students from abroad are coming to India for academic programmes, training and internship and many foreign institutions have started collaborating with Indian universities and academic institutions. India’s experience has resulted in providing the Pan African e-Network connecting 53 countries. The country has operationalised two strategic missile systems. A state-of-the-art super sonic cruise missile system has also entered into commercial production with an international partner. The number of people living below poverty line has come down to 22 percent and our literacy rate will soon touch 75 percent. Our unemployment is around 9 percent of the employable population of 400 million people. The Central Government has launched comprehensive rural development programmes called Bharat Nirman Programme, Jawaharlal Nehru Urban Renewal Mission and Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme with substantial outlays for bringing the fruits of development equitably to all sections of society irrespective of where they reside. Implementation of PURA programmes has been undertaken by number of State Governments and private institutions in the country resulting in a number of operational PURAs. The Central Government is planning to introduce two PURA Clusters in each district across the country as a first phase. People from all walks of life can be guiding forces and they can be partners in executing national development programmes and ushering in a good way of life. The State Governments have also launched a number of missions including rural and infrastructure development activities towards realising the goals of Vision 2020.

Indian Living

Animals

A profound respect for animal life is an integral part of Indian culture. In Gujerat, sacred cows spend the latter part of their lives in retirement homes. At the Sonpur Fair, buyers choose elephants as if they were choosing a life-long friend. In Rajastan, rats have their very own temple; and in Haryana, children play hide-and-go-seek with cobras. 08DR IJSCA 52 min.

Art and Crafts

Indian artists have been able to strike a balance between tradition and innovation; some of them are able to work on both sides of the scale. In Madras, Chandralekka has chosen to revolutionize the Bharat Natyam, the sacred temple dance. The villagers living in the region of Mithlia have managed to turn their traditional paintings into works of art that they export all over the world. Govinda, on the other hand, teaches the Martial art of Kalaripayatt, just as it was taught at the time of the warrior-princes of Kerala. And the famous Kapoor family has been making films for four generations. 08DR IJSCA 52 min.

Children

In India children embody purity. Only children are allowed to wear robes of the gods during Rama Festival in Benares and the fire celebrations in Orissa. In Punjab, Yoga is learning to wield a sword in remembrance of his ancestors. In Mumbai (Bombay), Smita is learning to become a doctor in order to help the underprivileged. 08DR IJSCA 52 min.

Cities and Places

"Highly Recommended. Takes the viewer to four cities/places, focusing on specific individuals and families at each location, describing their situation and adding a human touch to the visual element." -EMRO Review

Stones have a memory. In India they can tell many stories. In Rajastan, in the city of Jaisalmer, you can still hear the cries of the desert merchants. In Khajuraho, stones are sensual; they speak of love and of pleasure. In Pondichery, stones smell a perfume of France, while in Kolkata, formerly Calcutta, in the palaces that once belonged to rajas, stone is living proof of the grandeur of the British Empire. 07DR

Level 1 - IJSCA 45 min.

Level 2 - CA 52 min.

Festivals and Rituals

"Highly Recommended. An interesting look into the Indian culture and the Hindu religion, this documentary focuses on the many holidays celebrated in India, such as the 10-day celebration of the Hindu deity, Ganesh." -EMRO Review

Indians have more holidays on their calendar than anyone else in the world. Just about any event merits a celebration. In Mumbai (Bombay), there is a festival in honor of Ganesh, the god with the elephant head, which lasts several days. In Southern India, at springtime, bulls are free to roam through village squares. In Kerala, when the gods speak through men's mouths, what could have been a show becomes a sacred ritual; and in Gujerat young girls are allowed to choose their husbands during a fair. 08DR IJSCA 52 min.

Work

Unemployment is not a social ill affecting Indian society. While the country can proudly lay claim to having the world's best computer scientists, it has also managed to preserve thousands of other professions, from some of the humblest to some of the most prestigious professions in this world. Nilsson sculpts statues of gods all year long in Kolkata (Calcutta). In the city of Tirumalai, Subramanyan shaves heads in reverence to his god. In Palatina, Santosh carries rich Jains' pilgrims on his shoulders, and in Kerala, known as the "Venice of the East," Mathew sails ferries across one of its beautiful green lagoon. 08DR IJSCA 52 min.

Poverty

Hai All

Please click the link below

http://web.worldbank.org/WBSITE/EXTERNAL/TOPICS/EXTPOVERTY/0,,menuPK:336998~pagePK:149018~piPK:149093~theSitePK:336992,00.html

Regards

Bibin

Inflation

nflation is a hydra header monster. It cannot be controlled by taking a single measure. However, if monetary and fiscal measures are wisely coordinated, it can greatly help in controlling the continuous process of rising prices. The main anti inflationary measures both short and long terms are:Containing money supply;The monetary supply should be kept within reasonable limits.

Reducing budgetary deficit;The budgetary deficit should be kept low level. The deficit should be met by disciplined policy of demand management.Emphasis on commodity producing sectors:The government should give special attention to the production of cottons, wheat, vegetables, edible oil etc. it will have soothing effects on inflating.

Commodity balance:The government should have a strict watch on the prices of essential commodities in the country. It should take immediate steps in changing the import and export duties and maintain the availability of goods is reasonable prices.Curtailment of administrative expenses:The curtailment of administrative expenses can have a softening effect on inflation.Closing of the utility stores;The net work of over 700 utility stores has not helped in stabilizing the prices in the country. These are mostly located in big cities and posh localities. The low income groups are least benefiting from them. The earlier they are closed, the better it is.