Speech for UN Award ceremony at New York
on 20th June 2007.
Hon’ble Secretary
General of the United Nations Mr. Ban Ki-moon, Hon’ble Administrator of UNDP Mr.
Kemal Dervis, Diplomats, Senior Officials, Members of the International Press and
Distinguished Ladies & Gentlemen,
It is a great honour
for Indian State of Chhattisgarh to
win the Human Development Award in the category of “Excellence in Participation and Capacity Building Process”.
Chhattisgarh as the 26th
State is one of the youngest member of Indian Union. The raison d’etre of
Chhattisgarh was the low level of human development in this region of the undivided State
of Madhya
Pradesh.
The formation of the new State has presented both challenges and opportunities for the
development of the State. These challenges assume a new dimension in the backdrop of the
fact that around 32% of the population of State is Scheduled Tribes (referred in global
discourse as “indigenous people”) and around 44% of population lives below the
poverty line. Chhattisgarh with a population of 20 million has an area of 135,000 square
kilometers. The literacy rate of Chhattisgarh at 64.7% is at par with the national
average. Notwithstanding its economic backwardness, Chhattisgarh has one of the most
favourable sex ratio at 989 females per 1000 males.
Chhattisgarh is abundantly endowed by nature.
More than 50% area of State is under the thick cover of forests. Due to proper planning
and positive policy interventions, State is on the path of sustainable development. The
State is on a high growth trajectory and has recorded an average GDP growth rate of 10 %
in past 5 years. The per capita income of the State has almost doubled in last five years
from US$ 267 to US$ 475. Chhattisgarh has attracted the maximum investment amongst all the
Indian States with a proposed investment of US$ 28.7 billion in the financial year
2006-07.
The Human
Development Report of Chhattisgarh is really a People’s Report and is a unique
document in more than one way. The sheer numbers who participated in preparation of this
report is mind-boggling. It was prepared with
the participatory help of people in more than 19,000 villages. In an exercise without
parallel, villagers in their own words expressed their hopes and aspirations which were
ratified by village communities.
The Report highlights
the complexities and wide ranging disparities prevailing in the State. Undoubtedly,
economic growth which is not inclusive will accentuate the disparities that exist between
regions, sectors and communities. It is in this context that the Human Development Report
is of vital importance to the Government of Chhattisgarh. The report provides the contours
for the goal of inclusive development. It also makes us humble as it reflects the enormity
of tasks that lie ahead. Clearly, there are no quick-fix, simplistic “trickle
down” solutions which can be adopted. The report is an important document for policy
makers because it emphasises that the process of development is as important as
development itself.
For a new
State, it is indeed a great honour and distinction to be given this award. This award is a tribute to the resilience, spirit
and ability of the people of Chhattisgarh. The
award will definitely stimulate discussion and debate on Human Development. Today, the
agenda of Human Development is one of the top-most priorities for the Government of
Chhattisgarh. The State is already on the path of growth under the able and dynamic
leadership of its Chief Minister, Dr. Raman Singh. The State has taken several initiatives
under the able guidance of Hon’ble Chief Minister Dr. Raman Singh for Human
Development. We are getting good support from Planning Commission and UNDP in this regard.
Several institutions, NGOs and individuals have
played a vital role in the preparation and publication of this report and I would like to
thank them all for their assistance. However, I must place on record my appreciation and
gratitude for the outstanding contribution of the Planning Commission of Government of
India and UNDP, India. We are greatly indebted to the Cabinet
Sub-Committee of Government of Chhattisgarh which not only gave critical support and
guidance but also customised the Income Index and developed an alternate HDI. On behalf of
Government of Chhattisgarh, I would like to thank United Nations Development Programme
(UNDP) for giving us this great honour.
Thank you.
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