The countries of the world continue to be divided into two major categories, namely developed and developing. The latter class of countries, including India, earlier were wearing the uncomplimentary identity as underdeveloped. This seemingly honourable portrayal of these countries from under-developed to developing owes it to the patronising outlook of the functionaries in high posts in the United Nations and its different arms such as World Health Organisation, Food and Agricultural Organisation (to lead international efforts to defeat hunger), United Nation’s Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation, United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (established in 1964 as a permanent inter-governmental body dealing with trade, investment and development issues). As if to mimic the world body, the government has adopted the practice of classifying the States of the country into three classes, namely class A, class B and class C for administrative reasons, more than any other. One such purpose is to fix the rates of allowances that are paid to employees in different Departments of the government along with their basic monthly salary, a feature that leaves the rest of the population red-faced. That is one dimension of development, as perceived in circles of the government employees.
The message of global well-being in the lines drawn from Mangala Mantra (Swasthi prajaabhyah paripaalayantaam nyaayenamaargena...) meaning: May the well-being of all people be protected by the powerful and mighty leaders with law and justice... To what extent this ancient prescription has been realised by which section of India’s people is the question that is begging for an answer.
