We talk a lot about what India’s doing, the next global conference, a great international deal cracked, etc. We, at the moment, are focusing on the future – how we wish to see India ten years down the line, and in that desire to see the future, we have completely neglected the need of the hour. The present India needs help in various sectors and if we keep aspiring for a future, our present would surely be in an unrecoverable danger.
Here is a list of few things that India should be focusing on:
Food
At the core of a healthy individual lies good food. And by good food I do not mean expensive or luxurious food items. Good food refers to any food item that is nutritious , something that is not produced using wrong means, in order to double-up profits. Organically modified vegetables, fake cooking oils, contaminated baby food items, fake eggs, etc. are some of the things that we have heard a lot of in recent years. The quality of food served in the trains, the kitchens of popular (and roadside) restaurants, etc. need to be checked on a regular basis to ensure hygiene and quality. A large part of India is still malnourished. National Family Health Survey of “over 6 lakh households conducted in 2015-16 shows that over the past decade, the proportion of underweight children fell nearly 7 percentage points to 36%, while the proportion of stunted children (those with low height-for-age, a measure of chronic undernourishment) declined nearly 10 percentage points to 38%”. (Livemint report, June, 8, 2017)
Health
We have been spending quite generously on expensive transport, tall buildings, and we know exactly how to make use of the finest technology. But the problem is that we are not paying attention to putting it all together to come up with equally impressive health services. With the arrival of rainy season, hospitals start to get flooded with patients. Health is the basis of any nation, and it cannot be neglected. Any number of money invested on health is less. Government needs to look into health as the second important investment area after education. A nation with healthy and educated people knows exactly how to progress.
Education
Oh yes, we have a lot of private schools, and the government is funding educational institutions as well. Schools run by the government provide free education till the age of 14. Not to forget, free uniform and books are also provided. But when it comes to real education, we still lack focus. Firstly, at most government schools, there are more than 50 students (it can sometimes be as many as 70 students) per class, which isn’t an ideal situation for someone who wishes to teach, nor for pupil who wishes to be taught. An ideal student-teacher ratio at schools should be 25:1.
Secondly, there should be a focus on practical along with the theory. Thirdly, focusing on English and shouldn’t be an issue to be ashamed of. We keep talking about globalization so we should understand that nothing can go wrong if we teach our kids English or any other foreign language for that matter. Fourthly, conditions inside the schools need regular checks by officials. Right from cleanliness, to food distributed, techniques adapted, teachers recruited, student behavior, etc.
India needs to move its focus back to the essentials. People can afford to walk a few miles in the absence of a swanky car but Food, health and education are the three most important pillars that need to be strengthened in order to strengthen the country.
