By Matters India Reporter
Patna, Feb 8, 2020: A national seminar at a Jesuit college in Patna on February 8 tried to address challenges to achieving human development.
The event, organized by St Xavier’s College of Management and Technology, heard speakers explain initiatives by government and NGOs in addressing human development. Capital, sustainable development and public expenditure would bring about qualitative changes in modern societies, they added while participating in deliberations on ‘Human Development : Contemporary Issues and Challenges.”
In his keynote address, Professor Mihir Bholey, senior faculty, National School of Design, Ahmedabad, said the pursuit for growth did not end at human development. He said it had become more normative and was expected to become more sustainable as well. “Sustainable development adds yet another dimension to development and a new look to human development,” he said.
Stressing that human development index warranted growth to be more inclusive, he said capability building, as aspired by human development, could be achieved through education, training and skill development. In this context, he said, the role of design in improving the quality of human life was well-acknowledged.
“Sustained design intervention helped India transform its products, visual communication, textile, and apparel and nurtured its creative economy which involves 14 percent of its workforce today,” he said.
Stating that emerging frontiers of technology were set to become handy substitute for human skills and creativity, Bholey said the future of design was set to redefine human development.
“The process of development—human development –should, at least, create an environment for people-, individually and collectively, to develop to their full potential and to have a reasonable chance of leading productive and creative lives that they value,” Father Nishaant said.
Vivekanand Pandey, Pro vice-chancellor, Amity University, Patna, who presided over the inaugural session, said the issue of human development was relevant for the entire world.
“Human development was about creating capabilities and using them effectively,” he said.
Listing reasons for Bihar’s “poor performance” on human development indicators, Pandey said migration was hindering the pace of growth in the state.
Convener Professor Piyush Ranjan Sahay, said the seminar aimed at providing academicians, professionals, social activists, students and research scholars a forum for discussion and exchange of research reports, academic analyses, field experiences and case studies on human development.
In his valedictory address, Kishor Barad, founding professor, Shanti Business School, Ahmedabad, said the issue of human development was of utmost importance for the wellbeing of a country and its citizens and needed to be examined in depth.
He said the discussion on the topic was, therefore, timely and complimented the Jesuit college for organizing the seminar.
Barad said a population of 1.3 billion, resource crunch and inequalities among states posed a big challenge in achieving human development in India. Post liberalization, India has witnessed one of the fastest growth, he said. Yet, much is still to be done,” he added.
Co-convener, Marie Anne D’Cruze called for the need to protect the human race by keeping people healthy, in body, spirit and mind, and empower them to combat all odds.
“It becomes our moral binding to create a world which is conducive to optimum progress and fosters a culture of continuous learning, embracing change with a grace and ease, thus creating and developing leaders of tomorrow,” she said.
More than 75 papers were presented at the seminar spread over two sessions and about 100 delegates attended the event.