Category Archives: Sustainable Development

Why The World Must Rediscover Mahatma Gandhi!

Posted on October 1, 2020 by Goodpal

The world today is passing through a period of severe moral, spiritual and even economic degradation. There is a pervasive climate of isolationism, restlessness and insecurity. Gandhi’s ideas of non-violence, truthfulness and democracy are all the more relevant today than ever. Continue reading →

Posted in Indian Society, Panchayat Raj, Sustainable Development, World Politics | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

How India Settles Growth-Vs-Development Debate

Posted on July 10, 2020 by Goodpal

Five year old Sen-Bhagwati debate has brought into focus the crucial debate around the India’s development path. Should it follow the Western path of GDP growth alone or also focus on developing human capital? And how about sustainability of development? Continue reading →

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India Needs Development Beyond GDP

Posted on December 3, 2019 by Goodpal

The fetish for gdp growth has led the world to the brink of environmental and social disasters. There is opulence and poverty side by side. Countries need to evolve right indicators of development that pay attention to things other than economic. Continue reading →

Posted in Amartya Sen, Economy and Business, Environment, Gender, Sustainable Development, Women | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Amartya Sen’s Capability Perspective of Development and Well-being

Posted on April 21, 2018 by Goodpal

The capability approach of Amartya Sen puts people at the focus of development; not economy. Since it revolves around expanding people’s capabilities, it recognizes all factors – personal, psychological, social, political, environmental etc – that can possibly affect people’s capability to … Continue reading →

Posted in Amartya Sen, Economy and Business, Sustainable Development | Tagged , , , , , | 5 Comments

Poverty is Cancer not Flu ! – Mahbub Ul Haq

Posted on April 7, 2015 by Goodpal

Late Pakistani economist Mahbub Ul Haq is the brain behind UNDP’s human development index (HDI). He has seen the emptiness and deception of using GDP growth as measure of national progress. His concept of human development brought a paradigm shift in the global developmental discourse. Now more and more countries are trying to measure people’s well being beyond per capita GDP numbers. Continue reading →

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Is the World Heading Towards a New Global Order?

Posted on March 20, 2015 by Goodpal

The world is much changed today. It needs a new set of governing rules; more just and more humane. Continue reading →

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What India can Learn from Bhutan’s Gross National Happiness (GNH)

Posted on September 26, 2014 by Goodpal

Lifestyles of Indians basically have spiritual roots. They value material things but at the same time also appreciate the importance of mental well-being. The 9 domains of Bhutan’s gross national happiness offer ideal framework to guide “development” in India. Continue reading →

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Development: GDP Growth Alone can Never Eliminate Poverty

Posted on September 25, 2014 by Goodpal

Economic growth in the so-called market economy inherently favors the rich; the poor only derive the “trickle down” benefits.” In fact, poverty is needed to subsidize the businesses of the rich through their low wages; therefore, poverty can never the eliminated. Continue reading →

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Kerala: A Unique Place on the Planet!

Posted on February 28, 2014 by Goodpal

Kerala’s people development model has amazed development experts around the world. It offers the right model of other developing countries to follow. Continue reading →

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Will Bhutan Inspire The World To Follow Sustainable Development?

Posted on February 12, 2014 by Goodpal

Bhutan is the only country in the world that does not measure its progress in GDP terms. Realizing the inadequacies of GDP, it adopted a holistic approach to enhance the well-being and happiness of its people through its idea of Gross National Happiness (GNH). It goes well beyond economics and considers factors like spirituality, cultural aspects, ecological diversity and good governance. Continue reading →

Posted in Sustainable Development | Tagged , , , , , | 8 Comments

Amartya Sen – Development Beyond GDP

Posted on September 8, 2013 by Goodpal

The idea that “development” only means economic growth is a faulty one. This narrow thinking is behind all ills of the world today – global warming and climate change are just the logical byproducts. Professor Amartya Sen theorizes that “real development” is development of people’s capabilities. Continue reading →

Posted in Amartya Sen, Economy and Business, Sustainable Development | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment