Development 1
1. Development means Different things for Different People
Development or progress means different things to different people
Each person seeks things that are most important to them
At times, two persons may seek things that are conflicting
Eg 1: a girl expects as much freedom & opportunity as her brother and also expects the brother to share household work. The brother may not like this
Eg 2: Industrialists may want more dams for more electricity. But this could submerge land and displace local people, very often tribal people. They may prefer smaller check dams or tanks to irrigate their land
Conclusion 1: Different people have different development goals
Conclusion 2: What may be development for one may not be development for the other - it may even be destructive
2. All people have Common Goals - Income & Other Goals
What all people desire are regular work, better wages, better price for their crops or other products that they produce. In other words they want more income
People also want equal treatment, freedom, security and respect of others. They resent discrimination
These non material things cannot be easily measured but they are equally important
Thus quality of our lives depends on income or material things that one can buy with it. But very often the non-material things are equally or more important
Eg 2: A job with less pay but offering regular employment enhances sense of security
Another job with higher pay but no job security & less time with family will reduce sense of security & freedom
Conclusion: People look for a mix of goals other than income
Eg 3: A working woman's goals - If a woman is engaged in a paid job, her dignity in her house and society increases
But if she gets more respect, there should be more acceptance of her working outside & sharing of household work
A safe environment is essential for women to take up jobs or run businesses
Eg 1: While choosing a job in a far off place, a person may consider the following factors other than income - facilities for his family, working atmosphere, opportunity to learn etc
3. National Development means Different things for Different People
There may even be conflicting ideas about National development
Things to keep in mind for National Development..
- Are all ideas equally important?
2, If there are conflicts, what would be a fair & just path for all?
3, Are there better ways of doing things?
- Would the idea benefit a large number of people or only a small group?