The power of technology
India is a country of contrasts and paradox. It is rapidly becoming a major global economic power and yet continues to have a huge amount of poverty.
Stunted development
In 2010, India’s economy will grow by over 9%. Yet the forthcoming 2010 Global Hunger Index, co-published by the International Food Policy Research Institute and Concern Worldwide, will show that in 2005-06, 43% of Indian children were underweight and 48% were suffering from stunted growth.
These numbers mean that India alone is home to over 40% of the world’s underweight children.
Safety net
My recent trip to India highlighted another distinctive aspect of Indian life. It has put in place a number of social welfare schemes, providing a safety net for India’s poorest people.
The key projects include a public scheme which distributes essential commodities (rice, wheat, sugar and kerosene) through a network of Fairtrade Shops. There is a pension scheme for people over 60 and the Mahatma Ghandi National Rural Employment Scheme. This guarantees people 100 days of employment.
Problems
These schemes work well in some states; less well in others. One frequently encountered problem is that poor people aren’t aware of the benefits they are entitled to. In other cases, benefits don’t reach them because of corrupt officials.
Tracking entitlements
In Keonjhar, one of the tribal districts of Orissa, Concern is supporting partner organisations by providing information and communications technology. This is being used to help people track their entitlements under the various schemes.
More accountability
A database has been developed using census and other data. Each month, reports are generated comparing the number of people eligible for the schemes with the number actually benefitting. These reports are shared with local communities and with government officials. The reports mean that marginalised people are empowered to claim their entitlements, putting pressure on local officials to be more accountable.
I found this highly relevant to Concern’s work and it could be relevant in other countries too. It increases accountability and uses technology as an enabler and accelerator of development.
Disruption and change
Information and communications technology is a “disruptive technology”: it has the potential to change how economic and social development can be achieved.
Concern is using technology in a number of innovative ways, from cash transfers to microfinance to data collection for conservation farming. We are continually seeking to learn lessons so that we can work more effectively. I expect to write more about this in the coming months.
Tags:
Comments
Hi Tom, Bumped into your blog by accident.. What you say about India is true..There are at least two indias.. one that's up and shining..a growing world player and a huge market for everything..and that's only 20% .. The 80%, probably what we should be knowing as the real india still remains in the sidelines..there are a thousand success stories but can we call them successes when it still remains confines as isolated and exceptional cases only?? why the theories of development that harp on local markets and redefining development from the intangibles like GDP, AGR to tangibles like number of hungry people, homeless and the unhealthy just end up being nobel prize winners and theories just remain as theories... The tracking project in Keonjhar has taught us one big lesson...That once people know what their rights are, they will find ways to get them..be it in social security, forest rights, education or health... It was amazing having you in Keonjhar...Hope to see you again soon. And congratulations...
Post a comment