33EME CONFERENCE MONDIALE DU CIAS, TOURS (FRANCE) 30 JUIN - 4 JUILLET 2008 33RD GLOBAL CONFERENCE OF ICSW, TOURS (FRANCE)

JUNE 30TH - JULY 4TH 2008

Workshop n19/39 - Social Exclusion

SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT AND SOLUTIONS - INDIAN SCENARIO

A.S. Shenoy Chairman International Relations Committee, Indian Council of Social Welfare, India shenoyas2006@yahoo.com
Social Development is the result of social interaction that changes the character of social living. The concept of social development encompasses among others, welfare community development and social development. Major parameters affecting social exclusion in developing countries including India are:Untouchability and exclusion of people of lower strate from main developmental programmes, Child labour, Child mortality, Discrimination to minority ethnic community , Gender inequality, Lack of Education A few of the issues are dealt in this paper pertaining to Social Development in India. Discrimination of Minority Ethnic Community and Untouchability A survey conducted has shown that untouchability abolished long back is still practiced in unseen ways in some part of India. Sometimes shops still keep separate glasses for certain caste as common glass if used, the shop keeper will loose business of dominant community of the area. Gender Discrimination Wide spread discrimination of women still persists in law and practice in India directly or indirectly. In India women is considered second class citizens without allowing them to express their opinion and are always dependant on husbands. The practice of dowry abuse is rising in India. Study of U.N. shows 70% of world poor are women with two or three girl children not in schools and these women own only one percent of the worlds titled land. Education and Health

33EME CONFERENCE MONDIALE DU CIAS, TOURS (FRANCE) 30 JUIN - 4 JUILLET 2008 33RD GLOBAL CONFERENCE OF ICSW, TOURS (FRANCE) JUNE 30TH - JULY 4TH 2008

According to survey conducted in 80 developing countries between 1996 and 2003 indicate that 30% primary school age children in rural areas were not attending schools compared to 18% in urban area. 82% of rural children who are not in school are in developing countries. Most of these children are malnutritioned and need support. In rural India, girl child is not allowed go to school as she has to look her younger siblings when parents go out for work.

Alleviation of Poverty The largest contributors of poor are the South and East Asia with 10% of the poor living rural areas. The case of India too it is similar. Poverty is a major problem facing India with over 350 million peasants living below poverty line earning only U.S. $ 1 a day. This represents 36% of the worlds poor population. Child Labour According to UN Study about 150 million children of age group 4-14 are working in various industries in India. They are paid a pittance as low as Rs.20 per day and many children are used for begging. Child Mortality The prevalance of child under nutrition and micro nutrients deficiency in India is among the worlds heighest. Low birth and under nutrition are two major causes of death. Infact mortality rate during 2007 is estimated at 34.61 death/1000 live birth. Conclusion & Solution In developing countries Central government has to take responsibilities for guaranteeing equal opportunities to all class of citizens through Social Action and Social Development and cannot isolate itself from social responsibilities to upgrade life of poor and neglected citizens and withdraw from social service welfare plans. India is emerging as an economical stable Nation, increasing living standards of India population providing more health care programmes, Industrial development policies, providing employment for all and emerging as a big market for consumer product and service industry. The world is no longer a place divided into Developed and Developing countries, East and West, Rich and Poor, Men and Women. 2

33EME CONFERENCE MONDIALE DU CIAS, TOURS (FRANCE) 30 JUIN - 4 JUILLET 2008 33RD GLOBAL CONFERENCE OF ICSW, TOURS (FRANCE) JUNE 30TH - JULY 4TH 2008

India is on the verge of implementing many social welfare reforms schemes and International partnership to use continued knowledge and resources to tackle social bad practices now prevalent in Indian society.