Development

Complete the table

Answer

Why do different persons have different notions of development? Which of the following explanations is more important and why?

(a) Because people are different.

(b) Because life situations of persons are different.

Answer

Different persons have different requirements and needs according to their present situation. Their idea of development varies according to their requirement. For example, a business man may consider ease of doing business, a development while for a farmer, availability of agricultural inputs and easy marketing can be called as development. Therefore, according to me second explanation is more important.

Do the following two statements mean the same? Justify your answer.

(a) People have different developmental goals.

(b) People have conflicting developmental goals.

Answer

The given statements are not entirely the same. Different people may have different developmental goals according to their needs but they may not always be conflicting. Conflicting goals mean that development goals of a particular person or group is harmful for others. For example, a businessman and a student have different but non-conflicting developmental goals but developmental goals of a government like building a dam, can be harmful to displaced villagers.

Give some examples where factors other than income are important aspects of our lives.

Answer

There are factors like equality, respect and freedom that are important aspects of our lives other than income. Money, or material things that one can buy with it, is one factor on which our life depends. But the quality of our life also depends on non-material things. For example, other than a high paying job, a women also needs security, freedom and equality.

Explain some of the important ideas of the above section in your own words.

Answer

Quality of life depends upon many factors like money, health, happiness, etc. Money alone cannot buy happiness and satisfaction. Physical and mental well-being significantly impacts quality of life. Feeling safe in one’s environment, both physically and emotionally, contributes to a higher quality of life. The ability to make choices, express oneself, and live according to personal values enhances quality of life.

Look at the picture on the right. What should be the developmental goals for such an area?

Answer

The picture shows a slum area beside an apartment. Such an area have a different set of developmental goals that may include following:

1. Building pacca houses for the people living in slums.
2. Providing services like electricity, water and healthcare.
3. Providing job opportunities.
4. Proper sanitation.
5. Proper education opportunities for the children living in slums.

Read this newspaper report and answer the questions that follow:

A vessel dumped 500 tonnes of liquid toxic wastes into open-air dumps in a city and in the surrounding sea. This happened in a city called Abidjan in Ivory Coast, a country in Africa. The fumes from the highly toxic waste caused nausea, skin rashes, fainting, diarrhoea etc. After a month seven persons were dead, twenty in hospital and twenty six thousand treated for symptoms of poisoning. A multinational company dealing in petroleum and metals had contracted a local company of the Ivory Coast to dispose the toxic waste from its ship.

(i) Who are the people who benefited and who did not?

(ii) What should be the developmental goal for this country?

Answer

(i) People who benefited were the people of the local company that disposed the toxic waste. The local people of the Ivory Coast suffered because of the effect of toxic waste on their health.

(ii) The developmental goals for this country would include:

1. Strong administrative mechanism to avoid such incidents.
2. Strict rules to punish such offenders.
3. Making people aware regarding pollution and prevention of pollution.

What can be some of the developmental goals for your village, town or locality?

Answer

The following can be developmental goals for my village:

1. Education — Ensuring access to quality education for all residents. This includes establishing and maintaining local schools.
2. Healthcare — Providing adequate health facilities through local hospitals or clinics. Access to healthcare services, preventive measures, and health awareness programs are crucial.
3. Infrastructure — Developing and maintaining essential infrastructure, such as good roadways, railways, electricity, irrigation facilities etc.
4. Economic Opportunities — Fostering economic growth by supporting local businesses and creating employment opportunities.
5. Sanitation and Garbage Management — Proper sewage system and door to door garbage collection with waste segregation at source to ensure sanitation and hygiene.

Give three examples where an average is used for comparing situations.

Answer

1. Per capita income
2. Population density
3. Average height

Why do you think average income is an important criterion for development? Explain.

Answer

Average income provides insights into both individual well-being and societal development, making it a valuable criterion for assessing progress. Money is the main requisite for development. Therefore, a higher average income means higher chances of development and ensure its faster pace. If the average income is lower, the rate of development is slower.

Besides size of per capita income, what other property of income is important in comparing two or more societies?

Answer

Besides size of per capita income, the other property of income that is important in comparing two or more societies is its distribution. The prosperity of a country depends not only on its total national income but also on how that income is distributed among its population. If the number of people sharing the income is large, the average income tends to be lower.

Suppose records show that the average income in a country has been increasing over a period of time. From this, can we conclude that all sections of the economy have become better? Illustrate your answer with an example.

Answer

An increase in a country’s average income over time doesn’t necessarily guarantee improvement across all sections of the economy. For example, the average income can rise due to increase of salary in a particular sector but other sectors can continue to earn less. Therefore, we cannot conclude that all sections of the economy have become better.

From the text, find out the per capita income level of about 10-15 low-income countries as per World Development Reports.

Answer

As per the World Development Reports following countries have been classified in low income group:

1. Madagascar
2. Mozambique
3. Democratic Republic of Congo
4. Somalia
5. Ethiopia
6. Afghanistan
7. Chad
8. Sudan

Write a paragraph on your notion of what should India do, or achieve, to become a developed country.

Answer

To achieve the status of a developed country India needs sustained economic growth and stability. We should prioritize education, healthcare and skill development. We need to improve literacy rates, education access and health care in order to improve quality of life. All this will help in proper distribution of income to all sections of society. Also, stable governance ensures long-term planning and policy continuity. Transparent institutions and effective governance are critical for development of the nation.

Look at data in Tables 1.3 and 1.4. Is Haryana ahead of Kerala in literacy rate etc., as it is in terms of per capita income?

Table 1.3 — Per Capita Income of Select States

Table 1.4 — Some Comparative Data on Haryana, Kerala and Bihar

Answer

Kerala is ahead of Haryana in literacy rate but per capita income of Haryana is more than Kerala.

Think of other examples where collective provision of goods and services is cheaper than individual provision.

Answer

Some examples where collective provision of goods and services is cheaper than individual provision are:

1. Public Transportation — Operating buses, trains, and metros on a collective basis reduces the costs per passenger compared to everyone using individual cars.
2. Utilities — Services like water supply, sewage treatment, electricity is cheaper when handled collectively through municipal or regional systems.
3. Public Parks & Recreation Facilities — Publicly funded parks, sports fields, and recreational facilities provide spaces for leisure and exercise at a fraction of the cost it would take for each individual to have similar amenities privately.
4. Libraries — Public libraries offer access to books, digital resources, and other educational materials to the community at a lower cost than if each person had to purchase these items individually.
5. Internet & Telecommunications — Internet service providers and telecommunications companies provide network infrastructure that supports many users, reducing the cost compared to each user setting up their own network.

Does availability of good health and educational facilities depend only on amount of money spent by the government on these facilities? What other factors could be relevant?

Answer

The availability of good health and educational facilities extends beyond government spending. People need to be educated enough and aware to understand the importance of health and education. Also, the government needs to monitor the working mechanism of the facilities provided by it. It is important to check corruption and make sure that needy person is getting benefitted and facilities are not exploited.

In a study, it was found that in Tamil Nadu, 90 per cent of the people living in rural areas used a ration shop, whereas in West Bengal only 35 per cent of rural people did so. Where would people did better off and why?

Answer

The people of Tamil Nadu would be better off as 90 percent of the people living in rural areas use a ration shop and able to get food grains, sugar, kerosene oil etc. from the ration shop at a price lower than the market price. Ration shops play an effective role in stabilizing the prices and making necessary goods available to poor consumers at affordable price.

(a) Why groundwater is overused?

(b) Can there be development without overuse?

Answer

(a) Groundwater is overused mainly for Agriculture and domestic purposes. Due to growing urbanisation more and more population is attracted to towns. This is creating huge demand of water which in turn causes over-exploitation of ground water

(b) Overuse may seem beneficial in the short term but it is harmful for us in the long run. Development without overuse is possible if the process is sustainable and judicious. There can be alternate ways to save resources and develop simultaneously.

(a) Is crude oil essential for the development process in a country? Discuss.

(b) India has to import crude oil. What problems do you anticipate for the country looking at the above situation?

Answer

(a) Crude oil plays a pivotal role in a country’s development process. Crude oil is a primary energy source for industries, transportation, and power generation. It fuels economic activities and drives growth. Many industries rely on oil-derived products (plastics, chemicals, fertilizers). Without crude oil, industrial production would suffer.

(b) India's dependence on crude oil imports presents several challenges and potential problems. Some of them are listed below:

1. Importing oil requires foreign currency. Therefore, it will impact India’s foreign reserve.
2. Fluctuations in global oil prices can significantly impact India's economy. It can lead to higher inflation increasing costs for goods and services.
3. Depending on a limited number of countries for oil supplies can make India vulnerable to diplomatic and political pressures.
4. Increased spending on oil imports can limit the government's ability to invest in infrastructure and social programs.

Development of a country can generally be determined by

1. its per capita income
2. its average literacy level
3. health status of its people
4. all the above

Answer

all the above

Which of the following neighbouring countries has better performance in terms of human development than India?

1. Bangladesh
2. Sri Lanka
3. Nepal
4. Pakistan

Answer

Sri Lanka

Assume there are four families in a country. The average per capita income of these families is Rs 5000. If the income of three families is Rs 4000, Rs 7000 and Rs 3000 respectively, what is the income of the fourth family?

1. Rs 7500
2. Rs 3000
3. Rs 2000
4. Rs 6000

Answer

Rs 6000

Solution: Per capita income is the total income of the country/state divided by the number of people in that country/state.

There are total four families.

Let the income of fourth family be x

The average per capita income is

(4000 + 7000 + 3000 + x) / 4 = 5000

⇒ (14000 + x) / 4 = 5000

⇒ 14000 + x = 5000 x 4

⇒ 14000 + x = 20000

⇒ x = 20000 - 14000

⇒ x = 6000

∴ Income of fourth family is Rs. 6,000.

What is the main criterion used by the World Bank in classifying different countries? What are the limitations of this criterion, if any?

Answer

"Per capita income" is the main criterion used by the World Bank in classifying different countries. The main limitation of this criteria is that it reflects the average income of a person but does not depicts the distribution of the wealth in the country. A high per capita income of a country may be due to a high earning section while there may be a section of population which is poor.

In what respects is the criterion used by the UNDP for measuring development different from the one used by the World Bank?

Answer

Human Development Report published by UNDP compares countries based on the educational levels of the people, their health status and per capita income while World Bank uses only per capita income to measure development.

Why do we use averages? Are there any limitations to their use? Illustrate with your own examples related to development.

Answer

Averages serve as useful tools for summarizing data and making comparisons. However, they come with limitations. While averages provide a quick snapshot, they shouldn’t be the sole metric for decision-making. Exploring full data distributions reveals the complete scenario. There limitations are:

1. Averages don’t reveal how data is distributed among individuals.
2. Extreme values (high or low) disproportionately impact averages.

For example, high per capita income of a state can be due to a few rich people while the majority of population can be deprived and poor. Therefore, an average value cannot always give an exact picture of the situation.

Kerala, with lower per capita income has a better human development ranking than Haryana. Hence, per capita income is not a useful criterion at all and should not be used to compare states. Do you agree? Discuss.

Answer

Kerala has a lower per capita income but it is known for its high literacy rate, lower infant mortality rate, and robust healthcare facilities. These are the indicators of human development. Despite a higher per capita income, Haryana faces challenges related to education, healthcare, and social well-being. Per capita income is a common metric for comparing wealth and living standards across countries or states. It overlooks income disparities within the population and other facilities, infrastructures etc. Per capita income alone doesn’t reflect overall quality of life or well-being. Therefore, a comprehensive assessment considers multiple dimensions and not just per capita income.

Find out the present sources of energy that are used by the people in India. What could be the other possibilities fifty years from now?

Answer

Present sources of energy in India include:

1. Coal and oil
2. Renewable sources (such as solar, wind, hydro, and biomass)
3. Natural gas
4. Nuclear power

Looking ahead fifty years, India could increasingly rely on:

1. Expanded renewable energy, including advanced solar and wind technologies.
2. Growth in electric vehicles and using hydrogen as fuel
3. Advancements in nuclear power

Why is the issue of sustainability important for development?

Answer

Sustainability is important for development because it ensures that economic progress is achieved in harmony with environmental protection, social equity, and ethical considerations. It seeks to create a future where human societies can thrive within the ecological limits of the planet. Sustainable development ensures that natural resources are used in a way that meets current needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. Sustainable development aims to minimize environmental degradation and pollution.

“The Earth has enough resources to meet the needs of all but not enough to satisfy the greed of even one person”. How is this statement relevant to the discussion of development? Discuss.

Answer

The Earth possesses abundant natural resources—water, land, minerals, energy, and more. These resources can theoretically meet the basic needs of everyone on the planet: food, water, shelter, healthcare, education, and a decent standard of living. However, the problem lies in greed that drives overconsumption, hoarding, and unequal distribution of resources. Development aims to improve human well-being, but it must be sustainable. Sustainable development balances economic, social, and environmental aspects. If development caters only to the greedy, it perpetuates inequality, environmental degradation, and social unrest.

List a few examples of environmental degradation that you may have observed around you.

Answer

Following are the examples of environmental degradation that I have observed around me:

1. Deforestation
2. Air Pollution
3. Water Pollution
4. Noise Pollution
5. Soil Erosion
6. Waste Accumulation
7. Climate change effects like heatwave and floods.
8. Loss of Biodiversity.

For each of the items given in Table 1.6, find out which country is at the top and which is at the bottom.

Table 1.6 — Some Data Regarding India and Its Neighbours For 2021

Answer

The following table shows the proportion of adults (aged 15-49 years) whose BMI is below normal (BMI < 18.5 kg/m²) in India. It is based on a survey of various states for the year 2019-21. Look at the table and answer the following questions.

(i) Compare the nutritional level of people in Kerala and Madhya Pradesh.

(ii) Can you guess why around one-fifth of people in the country are undernourished even though it is argued that there is enough food in the country? Describe in your own words.

Answer

(i) Kerala have less malnourished or under-weight people than Madhya pradesh.

(ii) Although, India is self sufficient in food grains yet around one-fifth of people in the country are undernourished because :

1. A section of people are very poor. Poverty restricts food choices and affordability.
2. Public distribution system is not working efficiently in all villages.
3. Changes in climate patterns affect agricultural seasons and food security.
4. Mere sufficiency will not solve the problem, providing nutrition is very important.