National Human Development Report: 2001 - Indira Gandhi Institute ...

8STATE OF HUMAN DEVELOPMENT NATIONAL HUMAN DEVELOPMENT REPORT 2001The last decade of the twentieth century has seen a visible shiftin the focus of development planning from a mere expansionof production of goods and services and the consequent growth inper capita income to planning for enhancement of human wellbeing.The notion of human well-being itself is more broadlyconceived to include, not only consumption of goods and servicesbut also the accessibility of all sections of the population,especially the deprived and those who are living below thenormative minimal poverty line, to the basic necessities of aproductive and socially meaningful life. Such a conceptualisationof well-being encompasses individual attainments in areas ofeducation and knowledge; health and longevity; as well as in thequality of overall social and physical environment of people. Aspecific focus on these aspects of development is necessary, asexperience shows that economic prosperity measured in terms ofper capita income does not always ensure enrichment in quality oflife reflected in broader dimensions of well-being like in indicatorson longevity, literacy or, for that matter, environmentalsustainability. Attainments in these dimensions of well-being aredesirable in themselves, hence, they are socially valued. They arealso desirable because of their instrumental value in sustaining thedevelopment process and enlarging available opportunities andchoices for people. While equality indevelopment outcomes may not be afeasible goal of equity and social justice,such an approach to human well-beingemphasises equality in opportunities forall in the process of development.