Development
Development is the process of growing and becoming better.
Different people seek different things — each one of them has different priorities and they have different goals for
development.
Example: A girl expects equal freedom and opportunities like her brother.
So, we can conclude that:
Different people have different developmental goals.
What may be development for one may not be development for the other.
For Example: To get more electricity, an industrialist may want more dams.
But this may submerge the land and disrupt the lives of displaced people, such as tribes.
Income and Other Goals
A person has two types of developmental goal:
1. Material Things
Money, car, house, etc.
2. Non-material Things
Freedom, friends, equality, respect, etc.
People prefer to earn more income to fulfil their daily requirements of life.
However, this is not the only component.
They want equal treatment, freedom, education opportunities, security
and respect for their jobs, peace, a pollution-free environment and, so
on...
National Development
National development refers to the ability of a nation to improve the standard of living of its citizens.
The standard of living of citizens depends on per capita income, gross domestic product, literacy rate, health system, infant
mortality rate etc.
How to Compare Different Countries or States
The total income of a country is the main criterion for comparing a developed country with an underdeveloped one. Countries
with higher income are more developed than other countries as more income means more of all the things that a human being
needs.
Per Capita Income Infant Mortality Rate
Per capita income of a country is the average income per Number of children that die before the age of one year in
person, calculated by dividing the total national income proportion to 1000 live children born in that particular
by the population. year.
Literacy Rate Net Attendance Ratio
Literacy Rate measures the proportion of literate Net Attendance Ratio is the total number of children of
population in the 7-and-above age group. age group 14 and 15 years attending school as a
percentage of total number of children in the same age
group.
Public Facilities
Facilities provided by the government are considered public facilities such as Schools, Hospitals, Transport, electricity, etc.
Individuals need public facilities. Not everything can be bought with money — such as we cannot buy a pollution-free
environment with the help of money.
Public facilities also include the PDS system (Public Distribution System) for those unable to purchase food grains at market
price. The government provides them with those essential items at a cheap rate.
Kerala is the Preferred Living Destination Because of:
Kerala's Low Infant Mortality Rate Adequate Provision of Basic Health
Facilities
Kerala's Effective Public Distribution Kerala's Proper Education Facilities
System
Human Development
Human development report published by UNDP compares countries
based on the education levels of the people, and their health.
Body Mass Index (BMI)
Used to indicate the health of the body — if a person is overweight
or underweight. 18–25 is normal range.
Life Expectancy
Life Expectancy at birth denotes the expected length of life of a
person at the time of birth.
Sustainability of Development
Refers to the development of human beings at the same time sustaining the ability of natural resources.
Groundwater is an example of a renewable resource.
For the sustainability of development, we have to minimise our needs and also have to reduce our dependency on nature.
Q1. What may be development for one may not be
development for the other. Explain with suitable
examples.
Ans: Different people have different notions of development because the life situations of people are different. For example, the
construction of a dam leads to the generation of hydroelectricity — this is development. However, it is disastrous for many
people who have been displaced from their villages. Hence it may not be development for them.
Q2. What is Body Mass Index?
Ans: Body mass index (BMI) is an international standard used to determine whether an adult is undernourished or not.
If we divide a person's weight by the square of his/her height, we get a ratio called body mass index. A nourished person's
BMI is 18–25.
Q3. Give some examples where factors other
than income are important aspects of our
lives.
Ans: While income is an important factor for a good standard of living, several other aspects are equally crucial for our overall
well-being:
Education Healthcare Safety and Security
Access to quality education Good health is essential, and A safe environment, free from
enables people to acquire without access to proper violence and crime, is essential.
knowledge and skills. healthcare, even those with high High income holds less value if
incomes may face poor health personal safety is at risk.
outcomes.
Freedom and Equality Environmental Quality
The ability to express opinions Clean air, water, and a pollution-
and live without discrimination free environment are vital for a
is crucial for life satisfaction. healthy life.
Q4. Why do you think average income is an important
criterion for development? Explain.
Ans: It is an important criterion because it tells us what a person is likely to earn and also gives an idea about his living.
The prosperity of a country depends not only on its income but also on the no. of people who would share it.
However, average income alone does not provide a complete picture of development. It's essential to consider income
distribution; if a small number of people hold most of the wealth, the average may be misleading. In India, despite a growing
average income, the disparity in wealth distribution means that many still live in poverty. Thus, while average income is a useful
indicator, it must be evaluated alongside other factors to understand true development.
Q5. Define Sustainability of Development
Ans: Sustainability of development means the development should take place in the present without damaging the
environment.
Development in the present should not compromise with the needs of the future.
The resources should be used in such a way that environment balance is also maintained.
There is a limited stock of natural resources — if they are not used judiciously then there will be nothing left for future
generations.
Q6. Define Human Development Goals
Ans: There are many types of human development goals like:
Rich Farmers Landless Farmer
For rich farmers, development means higher support For a landless farmer, the aim/goal will be more days of
prices of crops, cheap labour etc. work, school for their children and no social
discrimination.
Tribal Community Members Urban Girl from a Rich Family
For tribal community members, their goal would be no For an urban girl, from a rich family, free to choose her
discrimination, education, school etc. profession or be independent.