India's neighbours beat it in many development indices. Sri Lanka has been ranked much ahead at 78, under the high Human Development category. India also ranks below Bhutan, which stands at 125, and Bangladesh, which is in the 129th position. According to the UNDP report, India ranks 134th in the global human development index. The Hindu, too, reported about this on March 15, 2024. It is shameful for a country whose leaders keep calling themselves 'Vishwagurus,' that is, those who want to teach the world.

Writing about this issue, The Wire, on March 14, 2024, stated, 'India Ranks 134th, Falls Behind Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Bhutan and China. India ranks 134 on the Global Human Development Index (HDI), according to the United Nations Development Programme's (UNDP's) latest report on human development. The report also revealed that affluent countries are experiencing unprecedented levels of growth, while half of the world's poorest nations have failed to regain their pre-pandemic progress. These countries are investing in the development of their people, society and nation, but our leaders are busy spreading hate and violence in the name of caste, class, religion and region.

According to the 2023/24 Human Development Report, titled 'Breaking the Gridlock: Reimagining cooperation in a polarised world,' while HDI is projected to reach record highs in 2023 after declines in 2020 and 2021, there is a stark contrast in development levels between rich and poor nations. One should be careful not to lose sight of the fact that within developing countries, the gap between the filthy rich and the poorest of the poor is on the increase.

The report pointed out that global inequalities have been compounded by substantial economic concentration—almost 40% of international trade in goods is concentrated in fewer countries. In 2021, the market capitalisation of each of the three most prominent tech companies in the world surpassed the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of more than 90% of countries that year.

"The widening human development gap revealed by the report shows that the two-decade trend of steadily reducing inequalities between wealthy and poor nations is now in reverse. Despite our deeply interconnected global societies, we are falling short. We must leverage our interdependence as well as our capacities to address our shared and existential challenges and ensure people's aspirations are met," said Achim Steiner, a Brazilian-German environmentalist who currently serves as the administrator of the United Nations Development Programme and vice-chair of United Nations Sustainable Group.

"This gridlock carries a significant human toll. The failure of collective action to advance action on climate change, digitalisation or poverty and inequality not only hinders human development but also worsens polarisation and further erodes trust in people and institutions worldwide," Achim Steiner said. Both individuals, families, communities and countries that are reduced to suffering under poverty and misery will not make any real progress. On the other hand, their underdevelopment gives opportunities for others to develop themselves, their institutions and their nations.

India boasts of being one of the largest economies. It ranks fifth. Politicians keep proclaiming that its role in the global economy is very significant. Similarly, India has the fifth largest stock exchange. While the glorious side is highlighted, the downsides are not discussed. Al-Jazeera reported that experts warn India's stock market could face a downturn. They say small, first-time investors could be hit the most.

India is also a global military power, ranking fourth behind the USA, Russia and China. With approximately 1.45 million active personnel and a total force exceeding 5 million, including reserves, it is a power to be reckoned with. Given the comprehensive nature of its defence assets, which span land, sea and air, India seems well-positioned to meet the security challenges in a fast-changing world. What helps is that it possesses a nuclear arsenal and has developed a credible nuclear triad, allowing it to deliver nuclear weapons from land, air and sea. This strength in fundamentals also bolsters its influence in geopolitics. While India boasts of its military power, its own citizens are totally pulverised and brutalised by the policies and programs of their government. Almost 24% of its population is below the poverty line. Despite being promoted as a health tourism destination, there are 25.8 deaths per 1000 live births. Thus, the infant mortality rate is even now very high.

Table 1: India's Ranking Globally
Index    India’s Ranking
Global Economies    5
Stock Exchange    4
Military Power    8
Gold Reserve    11
Growing Millionaire Population    23
Sustainable Trade    39
Talent    58

A country with the largest number of poor people, India ranks 8th in the global gold reserve. It is estimated that the amount of physical gold in the hands of Indian families, privately held, not holdings by the Reserve Bank of India, amounts to an astonishing 25000 – 27000 tonnes. As reported by the Hindustan Times, as an Asset Class, this private gold holding was valued a year or two back at around 37-40% of our GDP value. Universally, there are concerns now on the levels of National Debt. Indians are reputed to hold around 9-11% of the total physical gold in the world. Many social and economic commentators believe that Indians are risk-averse and unwilling to put their savings into financial instruments to generate employment and economic growth. Hence, the gold held by Indians remains a useless asset.

In terms of world press freedom, Pakistan is ranked 152, while Sri Lanka is 150. India's ranking was 161 out of 180 countries last year. This shows that there is a total curtailment of press freedom in India. According to the Reporters Without Borders' Press Freedom Index, the situation for journalists was "very serious" in the country. The Diplomat reported that Press freedom in India has been badly hit by a few large companies' gobbling up of media platforms. This should not shock anyone since, over the last 15 years or so, large and powerful corporate houses such as Ambani's Reliance Industries Ltd (RIL) and Adani Enterprises have exercised diverse strategies to acquire several well-established media companies. While one 2019 report said that Reliance "controlled" 72 television channels across India. This brings to sharp relief the issue of diversity, or the lack of it, in Indian media. Their closeness to the Modi government has arguably worked to favour the Ambanis and the Adanis.

Table 2: India's Human Development Index
Sector    India’s Global Ranking
Human Development    134
Gender Equality    108
Human Happiness    126
Press Freedom    161
Hunger    105
Human Capital    116
Electoral Democracy    108
Sustainable Development    109
People Below Poverty Line    23.4 crores
Illiteracy Rate (Women)    30%
Infant Mortality Rate    23.4 deaths per 1000 live births
Wealth with the riches 1%    41% of wealth

It is significant to note that the prime minister, who harps on the grand success of the country under his tenure, fails to pay attention to these hard facts. On the other hand, he penalises anyone who highlights these hard data and the sufferings the people are led to. If we focus on the global hunger index, India ranks 105th out of 127 countries. How come this is possible, and those in leadership do not bother about it. Inequality is deep and pervasive. It is historical and contemporary. Financial Express reported that more Indians own property in London than the English. Hence, it would be fundamentally wrong to say that Indians are poor. It is a fact that a small segment of Indians is abnormally rich, leaving their fellow men and women to starve and die.

It is also shocking to read that 1,415 people applied for citizenship in India while 9.5 lakh people dropped citizenship in the last 5 years. Those Indians who are filthy rich due to the hard labour of the Dalits, the Tribals, the minorities and the most backward caste workers have opted out of this country. Those who are settling elsewhere are the ones who made the best out of a cheap and best education in all the private schools and in the IIMs and IITs. Further, these never had national sentiment but only used all the resources of the country to build their lives.

This so-called great democracy has been reduced in the last decade to an electoral democracy fraught with fraud, fear, and money. In terms of electoral democracy, India is ranked 108, which indicates that the present regime has demonised democracy sinisterly and systematically. The rigging of EVMS in the Haryana and Maharashtra assembly elections is just the tip of the iceberg of the malice that has been wrought on this democratic country.

Even after 75 years of planned development, over 30% of women in this country are still non-literate. While the present regime can boast of reaching the moon, its women and girl children are forcefully kept out of education and empowerment. Our neighbour Sri Lanka has done well with a 100% literacy rate, including women. Hence, there is no doubt that its per capita income is much higher than that of India. One of the key factors for the low ranking in HDI is the prioritisation of the country's funds to develop human resources. India spends 3.3% of its GDP on education, whereas the world average is 5%.

It is worth mentioning that though employment generation was and is a priority in India's economy pre and post-liberalisation, over 90% of the employed are without tenure, that is, in the informal sector, and less than 20% are engaged in regular wage or salaried occupations. Most of the work, both at home and in the informal sector, is carried out by women. Almost 93% of women are in the informal sector. However, they are paid the minimum and are more vulnerable to various compulsions.

While over 75% of the population of India, mostly from the Dalit, the Tribal, minority and the most backward castes, struggle to survive, the present regime is busy with falsehood, unfair means, fear imposition, mythical present and glorified future. Addressing a public rally in Rajasthan on December 17, 2024, the Prime Minister boasted, "Today, projects worth more than 45-50 thousand crores of rupees have been inaugurated and their foundation stones laid. These projects will provide a permanent solution to Rajasthan's water challenges. These projects will make Rajasthan one of the most connected states in the country. This will boost investment in Rajasthan and create countless employment opportunities. Rajasthan's tourism, its farmers, and my young friends will greatly benefit from these projects. In most cases, the foundation laying remains as the final product.

During his address in Copenhagen, Modi said, "When I spoke of Digital India, some people raised all kinds of questions. 'Digital, in India?' I'd like to say that 5-6 years back, we were one of the most backward nations in terms of per capita data consumption. But today, the situation has changed. Whatever India is achieving today, that achievement is not only of India but also almost one-fifth of humanity. Today, India is a big digital-global power. We share this power with the world." Instead of focusing on rojgar, kamai, mahangai, padhai, and davai, he was glorifying digital technology.

The New Indian Express pointed out the divide-and-rule policy of the present regime and especially of the chief minister of Uttar Pradesh, Yogi Adityanath, whose recent remark in the run-off to Maharashtra election, 'Batenge toh Katenge' (If divided, we will be destroyed) has been severely criticised. Instead of unifying all the citizens, he blatantly demanded, "If the Hindu society does not remain united, then 'Katenge to Batenge.' Adityanath has been calling for social unity, stressing that divisions along caste lines would be detrimental to society. He has covertly opposed the demand for a caste census, which has been the demand of all the downtrodden castes. Also, the language used by this leader of the most populous state is not becoming.

On another occasion, Adityanath, as reported by India Today, courted controversy with his remarks on Mughal emperor Aurangzeb and his lineage. Speaking at an event in Uttar Pradesh, the BJP leader claimed that descendants of the controversial Mughal ruler are now living near Kolkata, earning their livelihood as rickshaw pullers. He even described this as the 'divine justice of history'. Yogi is the one who became extremely notorious for demolishing the buildings of his opponents and minorities through bulldozers. With these pronouncements, he tries to divert attention away from the burning issues of the poor.

Further in this line, the Hindustan Times reported on November 14, 2024, that Amit Shah described the opposition's Maha Vikas Aghadi alliance as an "Aurangzeb fan club." He further claimed that there are two clear sides in front of the people of Maharashtra - Aghadi, which is the Aurangzeb fan club, and the other is Mahayuti, which follows the principles of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and Veer Savarkar." A person from a vital position in the country speaks on divisional terms and not unifying terms. Moreover, he had nothing to say about the issues of the people.

Despite the tall claims by the present regime, rural poverty remains high due to inadequate infrastructure, poor service delivery, and limited economic opportunities outside agriculture. The quality of education in many government-run schools is poor, leading to insufficient learning outcomes. Once again, it is the rural poor and the slum children who are stuck in this degraded system. The COVID-19 pandemic severely disrupted India's economy, leading to job losses, reduced incomes, and increased vulnerabilities for millions of households. In some countries, governments have put special economic packages and job opportunities in place. The Indian government, except for imposing lockdowns without any preparation, did not alleviate the suffering of the people and did not initiate any special provisions afterwards. While Indian billionaires are on the increase, the Indian poor and their poverty are soaring high.

Inequalities based on caste, class, ethnicity, gender, region, religion, income, age, and disability continue to persist and also are on the increase. What is more worrisome is that inequality threatens long-term social and economic development, harms poverty reduction and destroys people's sense of fulfilment and self-worth. This, in turn, breeds crime and conflict, disease and environmental degradation. Reducing inequality requires equitable resource distribution, investing in education and skills development, implementing social protection measures, combating discrimination and exclusion, and supporting marginalised groups. Fostering equitable and inclusive development alone will save India. India does not need to become 'Vishvaguru', but it should at least become a country that is able to provide a decent life to all its citizens.