[ Prof Anga Padu ]
Society is a dynamic entity, shaped by both environmental pressures and human actions. Any change in society invariably brings changes in people's needs and demands, which in turn create new demands for development. Conversely, development also alters people's needs and demands, giving rise to new aspirations and expectations. Thus, society and development share a symbiotic relationship.
When we say development, it refers to a process of positive and progressive change that improves the quality of life of individuals and society. However, development itself is not a unitary concept, but rather a multidimensional concept that encompasses various aspects of human and societal progress and wellbeing.
The major dimensions of development include socioeconomic, political, cultural, agriculture, human resource, educational, health, and environmental development. Thus, only when there is a balance among these different dimensions can it be said that holistic societal development has taken place. Development in only one or a few dimensions cannot be equated with holistic development. On the other hand, it is also an undeniable truth that achieving balanced development across all dimensions of society is a Herculean task; as such often it appears impossible.
Further, all dimensions of development are bipartite in nature, comprising both tangible and intangible aspects. Just as the pace of development varies across different regions and states, the pace of development across dimensions also differs substantially within a state. Likewise, the rate of development in the tangible and intangible aspects of these various dimensions also varies considerably.
Take for instance social development. The development of tangible aspects of society, such as technological innovations, automobiles, clothing, and housing designs, tends to occur faster and more easily than changes in the intangible aspects of society, such as traditional practices, laws, values, and beliefs.
Developmental disparities within a state or district are among the major factors contributing to social inequality, which further disadvantages people living in villages or rural areas.
Arunachal Pradesh is one of the least populous states in the country, with approximately more than eighty percent of its total financial requirements supported by the central government. Nevertheless, choked drains, traffic congestion, congested and littered wards and markets, water scarcity, power voltage fluctuations, and pothole-ridden roads are common disruptions to the quality of life in the capital cities and their vicinity. On the other hand, a large number of villages across the state still remain deprived of internet connectivity and quality basic civic amenities, such as roads, transportation, education, healthcare, and a reliable electricity supply.
Apparently, developmental disparities in between the capital district and districts and in between the headquarters and villages within districts in Arunachal are caused mainly by the concentration of important government administrative offices, business hubs, better social welfare services such as education and health-care, examination centres for employment and various academic entrances examinations, and modern luxury leisure amenities in the capital cities and district headquarters. Modern luxury leisure amenities include facilities such as bars, resorts, big restaurants, high-tech beauty salons, gaming zones, cinema halls and other entertainment facilities.
Access to employment, better educational and healthcare opportunities, and modern luxury leisure amenities results in the influx of a very large and diverse range of people from across the state and the country to frequently visit the capital cities or district headquarters. Many people also stay for extended periods, while others choose to settle in headquarters and capital cities on a permanent or semi-permanent basis. Which further results in development trends to revolve primarily around these centres.
Additionally, inadequate attention to spatial developmental disparities, a lack of empathy towards the difficulties faced by people living in rural areas or villages, the challenging geographical locations of many villages, and limited public awareness and participation in the decision-making process contribute to the delayed development of villages. People's engagement in livelihood activities, along with their reluctance or inability to speak up for their rights may further restrict their participation in demanding and influencing developmental initiatives. Consequently, development often reaches rural areas much later than its reaches to capital cities and district headquarters.
The complex nature of holistic development makes it appear lofty and difficult to achieve. However, if it is addressed strategically, with the right approach, a mission-mode orientation, regular monitoring, accountability, and greater public awareness, holistic development can certainly be achieved.
Undoubtedly, with the passage of time, our list of basic needs has expanded considerably, but it is not as extensive as we might think. Earlier, basic necessities were often represented by the three needs - roti, kapda, aur makan (food, clothing, and shelter). In contemporary times, however, basic needs have expanded to include sadak, bijli, paani, parivahan, naukari, shiksha, swasthya, and internet (roads, electricity, water, transportation, employment, education, health, and internet connectivity).
The concepts of centripetal and centrifugal forces, which have their roots in physics, can also be applied metaphorically to the field of development. In the context of development or holistic development, two approaches can be conceptualised: the centripetal approach and the centrifugal approach.
When development efforts are concentrated in specific centres where major resources and institutions that drive development are located, they primarily contribute to the development of those particular areas, such as capital cities and district headquarters, as we are witnessing today. This approach to development is referred to as the centripetal approach to development. In contrast, when development is extended outward from a specific centre, where the major resources and institutions driving development are concentrated, towards the peripheral and remote areas, it can be described as a centrifugal approach to development.
Although the traditionally identified three basic needs - roti, kapda, aur makan (food, clothing, and shelter) - have expanded to include sadak, bijli, paani, parivahan, naukari, and internet (roads, electricity, water, transportation, employment, and internet connectivity), five foundational needs - sadak, bijli, paani, parivahan, and internet - are often regarded more as civic amenities than basic needs. However, if these facilities are made available in every nook and corner of the state through the adoption of a centrifugal approach to development, they can create conditions necessary for fulfilling many of the other basic needs.
For instance, electricity enables people to access and use modern technologies; internet connectivity provides access to information about employment, education, and other opportunities, as well as resources for preparation for examinations and interviews; adequate water supply is essential for sustaining a healthy and dignified life; and reliable transportation and good road connectivity enable people to access opportunities and essential services at the right time. In this way, availability and improvements in these foundational facilities can contribute significantly to fulfilling other basic needs, such as food, clothing, shelter, education, employment, and healthcare.
Thus, by ensuring the widespread availability of these foundational facilities, the goal of not merely development but holistic development can be transformed into a reality. But at first, those who set the direction of development should seek to understand the existing spatial disparities in development across the state and, with empathy, take one step at a time towards addressing them, rather than remaining selectively dormant. Similarly, those with vested interests should refrain from misusing development opportunities, as their actions ultimately undermine the future of their own children and society. After all, this society will not be inherited by aliens or ghosts, but by our own children and people. (The contributor is a professor in the education department of Rajiv Gandhi University, Rono Hills.)
