Human Development in South Asia (Book Review by Sajjan Ali Khan

This book “Human Development in South Asia 2008” is written published by Mahbub ul Haq Human Development Centre. This centre was developed in November of 1995 in Islamabad, Pakistan by The Late Dr Mahbub ul Haq; this centre organizes professional researches, seminars on different issue, policy studies etc. And, centre presents report every year titled as HUMAN DEVELOPMENT IN SOUTH ASIA. The Mahbub ul Haq Human Development Centre provides a unique perspective in three different ways: first, by analyzing to human development, the Centre, analytical work, puts people at the centre of political, economic, and social policies; second, the South Asia regional focus of the Centre enables a great examination of issues on importance of region; third, the comparative analysis of Centre provides a yardstick for the setbacks and progress of South Asia. The activities working currently of the Centre include: preparation of annual reports on Human Development in South Asia; a multi-year research project to improve the outcome of education in Pakistan.

By taking a view to the economy, South Asia is the most deprived region in the world. According to Annual report of on South Asia 2007: The review of ten years shows that the average of population by living, is about one-half of the world’s illiterate adults and an equal proportion of poor in the world is about 47% defined on the basis of people living below US$1 on regular basis. The position of South Asia is defined with reference to the absolute number of deprived people and cannot be seen an improvement in income, health and education. Around 60% of births in South Asia are attended by unskilled health workers. Hunger and malnutrition has been a serious challenge to the region with 43% of children in the South Asia under-five as malnourished. According to this report, the purpose of development is not only to increase incomes, but also enhancement of people’s choice. The most important thing is that this is the first attempt of Haq to focus on the state of Human Development; and since 1990, Haq has produced seven reports on Human Development on global prospective. These problems have been biggest challenges now days to be faced. Technology has taken lead by finding the solution of problems in various forms to reduce poverty. By taking a look to technology, it has grown wise areas in order to increase the global economic power of world; the gap of this report can be filled by observing the ways through technology. Technology also looks at the current status of this Modern World and how it can be used in order to improve income, education, health, and the overall government system in South Asia. Seldom has taken an important part by reducing poverty and by enhancing the capabilities of human been appreciated. It can be also said that the technology will be very helpful to reduce poverty by looking at current role of Technology, and how it has an increase and enhancement day by day.

Medical technology is used in finding the cure of diseases and inventing drugs and vaccines for pre and post orders. It is a biggest tool to control the health and hygiene of citizens especially in common cases. By using Medical technology, it is easy to find upcoming problems in health and to take pre-steps in order to prevent any anti health bodies. Medical Technology has increase as much; now, it has been very easy to find cure of any disease; however, there should be some lacks where the efforts are. So, many scientists in different countries are spending most of their time in labs to fulfill these lacks and make healthy nations. By time to time, it is necessary new technology and techniques to be implemented, and there are many Bio Technologists working on it with different factors in South Asia.

Malnutrition and hunger can be said one of most serious issues and challenges which South Asia is facing at this time. The Agriculture technology leads the way of problems for the enhancement in green production to be a helping hand for fighting against malnutrition and hunger. With fortification technique, it also leads in helping citizens out to reduce malnutrition. For having good health it is most important drinking should be safe; and for this, there is water filtration technique which takes very essential part for reducing infectious problems which are mostly seen in South Asia.

One of the most important problems can still be seen; which is public services; it includes: lack of health and education especially in rural and remote areas. For his problem, Information and Communication Technology (ICT) is working their best to provide both Education and Health available in rural areas in order to promote both Health and Education in Rural and Remote areas. ICT is the service, in form of TV, Radio, Internet and printed media, which provides information in local languages about health and hygiene; it is also helpful for a mother to take care of health and hygiene of herself and her infants. Most of governments have liberalized their telecommunication sector; through which, a massive increase in telecommunication is seen, particularly phone subscription rates. Online resources have also been provided for the enhancement of research purposes for students, scholars and educationists by giving access to the knowledge, ideas and material which will be very helpful for a researcher. Incomes of labors are also increased by enhancing the production of fields and overall rate of economic growth. ICT helps formers: to take care of fields, uses of chemicals to kill germs get reliable seeds and some farming techniques; they also need information on rise and fall of rates in the markets, and; weather is it required in markets which we are producing and how much quantity is needed? Through ICT, it has been very easy to be safe from all kind of frauds in rates because all things are now available in digital world of internet.

Technology in south Asia is also used to facilitate students in order to promote the use of IT (Information Technology) and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) to promote the research and development at territory level and for the awareness of Digital world and also privatization of Telecommunication sector for the encouragement of ICT uses. There are many countries in South Asia including Pakistan who have established commissions in order to promote higher education. There are three important policies that are recommended for the enhancement of financial allocations: (1) the satisfactory uses of Technology must be included in schools in English, Mathematics and General Science (2) there should great focus on distance learning and education (3) Opportunities should be provided to the teachers and trainer to be updated with ICT. There is still some need of professional skills and technical skills in order to adopt technology in successful manner. There is too much lack in meaningful manpower planning in South Asia except India: It has established a credible National Technical Manpower Information System. Technical vocational and Training system has failed to check the growing rate of unemployment and to contribute in enhancement of professional competence and technological knowledge. There are two important things which need to be focused immediately: firstly, the certificates or Diploma are not accepted formally, so holders are suffering from disqualification from higher education, training and competitive exams for the entry tests of Government Jobs; Steps must be taken in order to enhance acceptability of TEVT. Secondly, TVET system is not responsive to the job market culminating into inadequate economic dividends for the graduates. It is very essential factor to make changes time by time.

Most of the governments are working on spreading awareness of internet from all kind of positive things and also on sources to reach to every common man through internet. The development is taking a part day by day in education through technology and digital areas; Moreover, E-commerce system is also been promoted. All kind of Educational Material is seen on internet whether it is theory works in shape of e-books or practical works in the form of videos. In addition, there is need of surety in people in order to grab these opportunities; because there are different ways to secure data for authenticating and confident ensuring.

So, in order to gain benefits from technology and its uses for growth of economic and human development, trained manpower with relevant skill are most important. At present time, South Asia is said to have sad distinction of having lowest enrolment in TWET. The success in TWET is depended upon having high qualified faculty, good amount of useful material and great laborites in order to make friendly useful environment for a student. Research and Development plays vital role in enhancement and rise in Technology. India and Bangladesh are using the potential of telemedicine service to avail basic healthcare to people in remote areas while eliminating the need to travel huge distance. The Grameen Bank of Bangladesh has also launched this project and is operating successfully. The Bank has launched their Health line which is a 24 hour call centre manned by registered physicians.

Mahbub ul Haq Human Development Centre is working on Human development in South Asia; generating reports every year and share the factors in their reports.