The Path to Sustainable Development

Gaps and the roadmap to fill these gaps

Sustainable Development Goals set time-bound targets for all key development sectors, including education, health, sanitation, employment, infrastructure, energy, and the environment of a country. From a global viewpoint and for its own sake, India's achievement of these goals remains critical. Significant progress has already been made across the country in recent years; but, to fully attain the SDG, the pace of advancement must be adjusted in an evidence-based manner.

What is sustainable development?

Sustainable development is the idea of developing the needs of the present times by harmonizing human societies and keeping in mind the welfare of future generations such that they are able to meet their goals. It comprises three pivotal pillars: the economy, society, and the environment. The more a nation looks after these aspects, the more sustainable it is.

Sustainable development goals

The Sustainable development goals for 2030 which were adopted by all the members of the UN, present a plan to cultivate harmony and prosperity for future generations. It binds both developed and developing nations in a symbiotic partnership. The SDG aims to tackle and combat critical issues like poverty, hunger, climate change and improve upon several areas like the healthcare and education infrastructure and accelerate economic growth. The main pillar behind the plan of action is global universality ‘leaving no one behind’. In accordance with the United Nations development program,17 SDGs (sustainable development goals) have been laid down in India and several new programs have been implemented to reach these goals.

Gaps

According to a recent report,(SDG India Index Report-NITI Aayog) India's ranking declined two places from the SDG index 2020, owing to important obstacles such as ending hunger and establishing food security, attaining gender equality, and developing resilient infrastructure, among others like, promoting inclusive and sustainable industrialization and fostering innovation in the country. Jharkhand and Bihar are the least prepared to meet the SDG by 2030(The state of India's environment. In the Environmental performance index, India ranked 168 out of 180 countries which was calculated on indicators such as health, climate, air pollution, sanitation and drinking water, ecosystem services, biodiversity, etc. India was also ranked 172nd in environmental health.

Filling the gaps

NITI Aayog's SDG index provides a comprehensive ranking and documentation of monitoring the progress of states on SDG. The index's modular form has made it a policy tool and a handy reckoner for assessing States' and UTs' progress on the Goals' broad scope, which includes health, education, gender, economic growth, institutions, climate change, and the environment. Kerala and Tamil Nadu were at the top of the index whereas Jharkhand and Bihar suffered at the bottom. State governments are critical to India's progress toward the SDG. Local governments play an equally essential role; 15 of the 17 SDGs are directly related to actions carried out by local governments around the country. Visioning, planning, budgeting, and building implementation and monitoring systems for the SDG are all priorities for state governments. The participation of civil society organizations think tanks, and the Indian media in international negotiations, seminars on funding for development, and sustainable development was facilitated by the United Nations in India.

To make sure we reach the goals by 2030 it is of paramount importance that India develops a strong, resilient, and sustainable infrastructure in terms of healthcare, education, environment, industry, economy, etc.

Government programs like Swach Bharat Swasth Bharat (Clean India campaign and National nutrition mission, Sashakt Bharat - Sabal Bharat (Empowered and Resilient India through economic growth and empowerment), Samagra Bharat - Saksham Bharat (Inclusive and Entrepreneurial India, access to nutrition, healthcare, education): Satat Bharat – Sanatan Bharat (Sustainable India and climate action plan) are playing a major part in India's development towards the SDG goals)

The full potential of several of the linked sustainable development goals for nutrition, health, and learning cannot be realized without addressing iron deficiency anemia at scale, especially among the marginalized and ultra-poor populations of the world”, n India, studies have concluded that up to 53% of pregnant women suffer from iron deficiency putting them at huge risk of severe health problems during pregnancy & delivery. This is a major problem. The Poshan Abhiyan, responsible for improving the nutritional outcomes of pregnant women and children, is doing its best to tackle this grave issue and it may be a determining factor in the attainment of the SDG.

As the world opens up after an eternity of lockdown, economic collapse, and mental and physical struggles(health), India is slowly getting back on track to accomplish its 30 goals. Despite being far away from the goals, India's efforts and dedication are commendable as she strives towards a better, prosperous future