Millennium Development Goals and India: Cases Assessing Performance, Prospects and Challenges

Book excerpt: The eight Millennium Development Goals identified in the Millennium Declaration have geared up the developing countries to translate their development vision into nationally-owned plans. India's commitment to MDGs and the on-going efforts present mixed results of accomplishments and setbacks. While there are expectations from India, South Indian states comprising Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Kerala are identified a the states on fast track in terms of attaining the MDGs, though there are also issues that pull sown and jeopardize the achievement of targets. This book documents case studies on various MDG focus areas such as poverty, issues of health, child labour, education, women empowerment and sustainable development, with a specific reference to South Indian states apart from select studies of other Indian states. On these lines, the case studies assess the present status, point the missing link and give directions to the future. We hope that these cases will provide insights, pave way to constructive thinking and stimulate action oriented approaches in the efforts on achieving the Millennium Development Goals.