The debate over the criteria for economic progress and development has been going on for centuries. In every era, societies have used different indicators to assess their development. However, in modern times, as gross domestic product (GDP) has become the primary measure of a country’s progress, economic discussions have become narrowly focused. It is true that GDP reflects a country’s level of productivity, income and consumption, but does it really reflect a country’s progress? Can rising economic numbers alone reflect the overall progress of a society? This question is echoed globally and the debate on it has already begun in India.
(GDP) is a measure of the total value of goods and services produced within a country over a period of time. It provides a quantitative picture of economic activity. But it does not provide any direct measure of the qualitative progress of that society, such as education, health, social equality, environmental balance and the mental satisfaction of its citizens. For this reason, the question is being raised again and again even in developed countries: Can a country's real progress be judged by (GDP) growth alone? It is very important that the criteria of development are not limited to economic prosperity but are seen in the broader context of human values and social well-being. India is a vast and diverse country, where along with economic growth, aspects such as social justice, cultural balance and environmental protection are equally important. If a state's (GDP) is growing but the level of education is low, health services are weak, unemployment is increasing widely and women are insecure, then can that state really be called "developed"? The answer is unequivocally "no".
Development is the overall improvement in the quality of human life. It is not just about increasing income, but also about well-being, equality of opportunity, environmental protection and social cohesion. This is why many economists have proposed alternative indicators to GDP. For example, the UN Human Development Index (HDI) measures a country’s progress based on a combined set of education and income. Similarly, Bhutan’s Gross National Product (GNP) highlights that citizens’ happiness, peace of mind and social cohesion are as important components of progress as economic factors. It is time for Indian economic policy to give equal attention to other human indicators along with GDP. Development should be considered incomplete until the last person in society feels the benefits of progress. GDP does not account for environmental damage. Even if an industry destroys forest cover, pollutes rivers, or poisons the air, its output will still increase, which will in turn increase GDP. But is this really development? It is a form of illusory prosperity, in which present development is bought at the cost of future survival. Therefore, it is now essential to adopt the concept of green GDP along with GDP, which also assesses the ecological balance and the state of natural resources.
From a social perspective, GDP growth figures are often misleading. If a country is enjoying high levels of development, but its education system is collapsing, healthcare facilities are not available, women’s participation is limited, and youth unemployment is rising, then economic growth breeds social instability. It is essential to include social capital such as family values, community support, and civic responsibility in progress assessments. A country’s progress should no longer be measured solely by material prosperity, but rather by human values.
It is also true that GDP is an essential indicator because without it, economic planning is impossible. These figures are the foundation of government, policy and budgeting. However, this foundation represents only one aspect. If social, cultural and environmental indicators are not equally linked to it, the definition of development will remain incomplete. Today, when the world is struggling with challenges such as climate change, growing inequality and moral decay, we need to forge a new vision of development. This vision should be a human-centered economy, in which individual well-being, social stability and the protection of nature complement each other.
If India wants to achieve its goal of becoming a "developed nation" in the coming decades, its policies must give equal importance to human development, social equity and environmental sustainability along with GDP growth. GDP is certainly a mirror, but it only reflects the external. The need of the hour is to go beyond the confines of GDP and embrace a model of inclusive, humane and sustainable progress, where the economy tells a story of emotions, not just numbers.
Manas Kumar Kar
Kotang, Konark
7381382210
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