mortality rate declined by percent in the 1980s but the same declined by only . percent in the 1990s. India’s ( / ) infant mortality rate was lower than Bangladesh’s ( / ) in . In , India’s infant mortality rate ( / ) had overtaken Bangladesh’s ( / ).
Communalism: India has witnessed communal violence since the time of partition. Political parties, movements with ulterior motives, fundamental groups spread the stories of hatred among the different communities. It is the ‘narratives of hatred’ spread by these groups that result in the communal clashes. Minorities are often victims of the communal clashes and their property and livelihood are greatly affected.
Caste and Gender Discrimination: Caste clashes and caste discrimination continues to be a major challenge for nation building. In spite of strict laws passed against untouchability, the practice continues in places where the caste system in pronounced. (Dis) honour killing is a major blow to the inter-caste marriages in India. Women are not treated equally to men is a reality and their representation in politics is abysmally low and Violence Against Women (VAW) is increasing.
% reservation of seats for women in the parliament and assembly seats are yet to be materialised. The major challenge for India’s development is inclusive growth. Growth has unambiguously reduced poverty and improved the human condition in India. However, the gains of the middle and richer classes have been greater than those that went to the poorer sections of society.
This is evident from the fact that reforms in areas such as telecommunications, banks, stock markets, airlines, trade and industrial policy have not been matched by agricultural and human development. India’s industrialisation continues to be capital and knowledge-intensive at a time when over million people survive on less than a dollar a day. If India grows in this way it will take a longer time to eradicate poverty, illiteracy, and malnutrition. Moreover, slow progress in human development in areas such as education and health will make it tougher for India to grow in the long run.
The socio-economic and political challenges highlighted above are major challenges to nation building.