Human development an essential component of Mahatma Gandhi's thoughts: Najma Heptulla

Union Minister of Minority Affairs Dr. Najma Heptulla on Wednesday said that human development was an essential component of Mahatma Gandhi's thoughts.

Dr. Heptulla, who released the UN Secretary General's Global Millennium Development Goals Report 2014 here, said Gandhi's touchstone for the validity of any action was the impact it had on the poorest of the poor. This is also the guiding principle of NDA Government having a mandate for development of all, in an inclusive manner.

" Despite paying lip-service to Mahatma Gandhi, India has been unable to fulfill his aspiration. The Government has inherited this challenge and is committed to fulfilling," she added.

The minister said that the four references to India in the synopsis of the report being released pertain to poverty, infant-deaths, maternal deaths and sanitation. None of these references are flattering. Even before this report, several challenges including those mentioned in the report had been identified.

The minister underlined that the Prime Minister has given special emphasis for giving highest priorities of the Government for provision of adequate sanitation, drinking water, maternal and child care, particularly to the disadvantaged sections.

When the fifteen-year review of the Sustainable Development Goals is undertaken in 2030, India will present a very different and upbeat picture, she hoped.

The UN's annual report on the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) published each year tracks the progress made around the world in reaching the Millennium Development Goals.

This year's report is one of the last before the MGDs expire in 2015. In a global summit in September 2015 world leaders will hopefully adopt a new expanded framework.