With reference to the editorial, "A long way to go" (December 15), the latest Human Development Report should make us introspect. It is shameful that on some parameters we are behind Nepal and Bangladesh. I agree with the view of the editorial that there is no point being happy about Pakistan faring worse than us. We should not compare ourselves with Pakistan but with Singapore and China, as far as Asian countries are concerned.
That we fare poorly on gender equality is not surprising, given that women constitute only a minuscule part of the workforce in public sector undertakings and private companies in cities, whereas in semi-urban and rural areas men occupy all the posts in the offices. This mindset has to change drastically.
Regarding the poor standard of employment in agriculture, we know that the sector is one of the pillars of our economy. While there is no dearth of employment in the sector, we are aware how farm labourers are manipulated and harassed.
I agree with the suggestion of the editorial that our government needs to seriously look into the aforementioned problems. It is not only about development expenditure but ensuring that it reaches the last mile and into right hands that should be our concern.
Bal Govind, Noida
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