The Paradox of High Growth Rate and Worst Social Indices - Prof. Sandeep Pandey

Prof. Sandeep Pandey (Magsaysay Awardee) is an Indian social activist. He co-founded Asha for Education with Dr. Deepak Gupta (presently Professor at IIT Kanpur) and V.J.P Srivastava while working on his Ph.D in Mechanical Engineering at the University of California, Berkeley. He is currently a visiting professor at the Indian Institute of Technology Gandhinagar. 

Abstract of the Talk:

India may have done well in terms of GDP growth rate but has slipped down the ladder of social indices. Why does India remain poor in spite of being the largest democracy, second fastest growing economy in the world and a regional military power? India is a case of paradox of high growth and worst social indices in the world. We're among the worst performing countries in some of the social indices like malnourishment and access to sanitation. Social Indices will improve only when basic requirements like food, clothing and housing of all citizens are being taken care of and in addition good quality education and health care are available. What is responsible for our state of affairs - corruption, inappropriate policies, segregated and layered society - or a combination of these factors?