Humans, the most important of all resources, are capable of
converting almost everything into a new resource for the greater public good. Hence, this resource must be harnessed prudently in the best interests of all. Man, the most gifted creation of nature, is bestowed with the ability to think. Properly channelized human energy in the desired direction can do wonders. Several ways and means have been employed for this purpose since ages according to the needs and level of innovativeness of the people in time and place. Need for developing human resources and the related institutions is vital and equally important is how we do it. Development means things are getting better. Human resource development (HRD) is empowering the mankind to use logical mental-frame to overcome the difficulties of life for the progress of civilization. This write-up will focus on psycho-social theme of the HRD broadly within Indian experience. Man is a social being from womb to tomb. He acquires his conscience in mothers lap and accumulates a great variety of experiences and knowledge throughout his life. The limitations and restrictions imposed on him by the extraneous factors besides his own instinct play major role in shaping his mind and actions. There are certain basic needs viz., food, clothe, shelter. Some add education, health, neat environment, Societal Liberties, Political Freedom etc. These factors are a must and a minimum of each must be available to all. Besides, there are other parameters considered in development planning such as Economic patterns, Communication techniques, Infrastructure, Leisure & Entertainment, Media including Social media and its reach etcetera. All together constitute what we may term as sustainable development. It puzzles why certain things happen in some and not in other societies. The reason could well be the different sets of principles of working, called institutions. The institutions have to evolve for the existence and maintenance of the civilization. Society develops and maintains the institutions needed for its forward movement. Primitive societies had requirements quite different from what the modern societies have. Strong and workable institutions from family to government are the driving force behind the upgradation of human skills and changing social parameters in all areas from religion to reason and from tradition to modern. Comtes Law of Three Stages establishes the close association between intellectual evolution and social progress. Methods and techniques have been devised from the early days to the modern times to improve mans adjustment to life.
Education, especially child education, is one of the thrust areas of
HRD. Childhood is the most important phase in a persons life. Studies show how mans rearing decides his future; hence emphasis must be on childs self-development. Hindu scriptures mention that a person without education is like an animal predicating the cruciality of learning for human development. Education makes people aware of their rights and duties. People acquire social and technical skills and knowledge necessary to come out of poverty and realize prosperity. The occurrence of knowledge leads to the transformation of society. Greater coverage and quality education from basic literacy to hitech science and technology is a precondition for raising agricultural productivity and industrial quality, improving health and sustenance, domestic stability and quality of governance. Concerted efforts are required to abolish illiteracy and broaden access to higher education and vocational training through both traditional and non-traditional delivery systems for which a better coordination among the educational institutions and the society as a whole is desired. Societies build assets on the constituent human ingenuity and learning from others culture and practices. Death of distance owing to recent communication advancements has brought speed and reliability in information transfer ensuring efficient and appropriate resource utilization. The mass media is revolutionizing the concept of living and helping to create a worldview on various issues of concern. As literacy is no bar for television viewing, it should be utilized for creating social awareness and instilling scientific temper among the masses. The e-information flow enhances the knowledge cache of the societies. Religion, although abundant with irrationality and transcendental nuances, reinforces feelings of solidarity and unity within group life. When religion says, Do not steal, Speak truth etc.; it has a lasting impact on human mind and persuades a person to behave decently. Various kinds of social taboos regulate peoples daily routine. Religious and public opinion leaders as well as media should strive towards continuously shaping public opinion and imbibing the values of integrity and honesty among people. Secularization and rationalization engender social cohesion and communal harmony. Standard of living is a measure of the persons being covering various aspects of life and is determined by a variety of interacting factors. It is generally assumed that individuals are guided by the goal of seeking a higher level of living and the actual behaviour should be seen as the reflection of that. Our concern here is how to mould that behaviour of a person for his gains only. The perspectives on training and development differ as the knowledge
and background varies from person to person. For example, a ninth
class student considers an atom indivisible which is absurd for a Master in Physics. An ancient saying goes A sound mind lives in a sound body. Health also influences other areas of human experience. Proper health care infrastructure should be in place to control diseases for normal civilizational growth. Efforts should be made towards realizing the health standard as envisioned in 1978 Alma Ata declaration of the WHO. Civil society organizations and Governments together have to play a tremendous role in bringing the weaker sections of the society to the mainstream of knowledge and economic status and safeguarding natural rights of people. The Public-Private partnership in areas like employment, education and health would be critical. Affirmative actions for Blacks (USA) and Protective Discrimination for backward classes (India) are examples of what government should do for the development of its people. Super Thirty, a coaching institute in Patna, India is a brilliant case of how individuals can help to create a knowledge society by putting in strenuous efforts. Transparency in the governance ensures the effective implementation of development plans. In India, recently formulated Right to Information has triggered movement for making public authorities accountable to society. Involvement of celebrities in movements like Polio eradication, Aids awareness, Family planning, Illiteracy elimination etc. does help. Issues like corruption, beggary, racism, terrorism etc. ridicule the developmental actions initiated. Collapsing value system and rising intolerance has created some concerns. Bonding responsible for keeping the society together must be kept intact to ensure peaceful existence of the humanity. It is rightly said that the destiny of a nation is shaped in her classrooms as the youth, especially students, have the capability to change even the course of history. Proper mentoring is needed to steer the youth force for the betterment of the society. Youth i.e., the prospective leaders in all walks of life, must be groomed to take on the rigors of life ahead. Shoulders of the youth should be strong enough to bear the responsibility of nations progress. The foundation of every state is the education of the youth and it is the chief defence of nationsEdmund Burke.
Status of nation affects the population and vice versa. Democracies
allow their citizens to develop with a critical mind while a totalitarian state ensures complete subjugation of their subjects. Selfgovernance has become a genuine demand of all local communities. Democratization or decentralization at the local level is gaining momentum in recent times. More than 70 countries are implementing political and administrative reforms aimed at strengthening the local governance. Sustainable development can only be assured if grass-root organizations play an effective role on the principles of participation and transparency conforming to the basic rights of every being. Strong and well-organized women's movement has contributed in enhancing the social status of women. Educating girls yields benefits that extend beyond themselves to their communities and to the society at large. Mahatma Gandhi once said Educating a girl is like educating a whole family. Women should be encouraged for greater participation in governance. Making society liberal and resilient to changing values in social relationship is a very crucial task before us. Free mind is host to creativity and innovation. In some societies, people may not be able to do of their own for the fear of societal condemnation or ostracization. It gradually disappears with dissemination of progressive values. To cope with this kind of situation, we need a sort of social counselling mechanism. In the context of Indian society, issues like homosexuality, inter-religion or inter-caste marriages, pre-marital relations, widow-remarriages etc. cause tremendous strain in the social framework. A matter can be anachronistic for one but could be close to others heart. People should be educated on these matters for their own sake. Social education succeeds but mostly after a procrastinated and tiring mental battle as bringing out any change in the social mindset takes time. Industrialization triggers growth in all spheres of human activity bringing forth the ingredients of development. Employment opportunities should be raised by mobilizing all available resources for all job-seekers across sectors. We often hear about the dearth of quality manpower in the job-market. Critical policy issues need to be addressed in order to fully develop and tap that potential. Human capital management is now focus of all organizations across sectors. Various tools are used to ascertain the training requirements of the workforce. Top management & lower rungs in the same organization have different motivational needs. One is trained to give his best; other is trained for taking best of him.
In this era of massive globalization and hyperactivism, nothing can
remain untouched. In a globalized world, prices of goods fall down. Surging demand increases the monetary flow, thus improving the living standard of the people world-over and the cycle goes on. Widening gap between rich and poor as a result of unbridled expansionism could be checked by proper redistribution system. Barriers isolating the mental-frame of diverse human islands are disappearing ensuing an integrated thought process that helps in the assimilation of various ways of living. Myopic approaches towards race, religion, caste etc. wither away paving way for a salubrious and all-inclusive cosmopolitan atmosphere for development. Newer hybrid models of living are sprouting in many parts of the world. Human mind can change anytime: for better or for worse. Love is the most powerful weapon that can win any war without shedding any blood. If tried honestly, it can be a sure winner. In no case, coercive measures should be resorted to, even if there is a shortterm gain. For lasting peace and prosperity in the world, we need to understand others and empathize with them; it could be an individual, community or nation, possibly schizophrenic. No explanation can justify an inhuman act whatsoever be the provocation. Example of Mahatma Gandhi is worth mentioning here who got India achieve freedom by the weapon of Non-violence. Reward and punishment are means of reinforcing the desired behaviour patterns among people and preventing them from digressions. It is for the civilization to evolve systems to harmonize all forms of social relationship. Before taking punitive measures, we must analyze and understand the cause. We have already lost Jesus, Socrates and Gandhi because of insane decisions and that is enough! Last but not least, self-belief is an important measure of the Human development. Poverty breeds many evils in the society. The blazing example of Mohammad Yunus efforts towards empowerment of rural people especially women in Bangladesh through micro-credit approach is rightly recognised by the Nobel Peace prize committee. A man has proved beyond doubt that the poor is creditworthy. It is a revolution of a different kind in a world seeking solution to the demons of unemployment and poverty. While applying all means for the HRD, limitations should also be taken into the consideration. A balanced move towards the cause will definitely make this world a safer and happier place to live. Never to forget, there is always scope of improvement. Thanks to everyone who inspired directly or indirectly in wirting this article only for academic interest.