14 - Some Serious Facts About Our Nation

We all have read in the papers about India’s booming economy and that many of our billionaires have entered the list of the richest 100 in the world, one among then also became the richest man on earth, for a short period. Well, all this talk gives us a false sense that India is doing (fairing) well when compared with the world. But let me show you some facts that will give you the worrying picture of our nation. The statistics that I reproduce below were published in The Week magazine dated January 6^th, 2008.

And the reality is:

• India leads the world in maternal mortality rate: about 300 of every one lakh pregnant women die during delivery.
• Experts say India has more HIV infected persons – 25 lakh, than any other country.
• India has the highest rate of public debt at about 80 per cent of the GDP.
• At 10 per cent of the total workforce, India has the highest rate of child labour.
• In the global corruption index, India is placed at 72 – several underdeveloped African countries are better placed.
• The Global Gender Gap Report of the World Economic Forum ranks India 114^th among 128 countries.
• India is placed a low 104^th in the World Economic Freedom ranking.
• The World Bank report on ‘doing business’ ranks India 120^th among 178 countries, the worst in South Asia.
• And, in the recent Global Hunger Index listed by the International Food Policy Research Institute, India is placed at 94 among 118 countries.