Heartening social measures

The Washington-based Social Progress Imperative would have us know that we have of late done better than many other countries in ensuring upward social mobility for our people. Since we would not want to be looked upon as cynics, let us say it is good news. We are, after all, in 99th place among a total of 132 nations. We have done better than India, Pakistan and Nepal, though we have lost out to Sri Lanka. Our achievements are something that should encourage us for the future.
And here is where we have made advances. The child mortality rate has gone down and so have human trafficking and child marriage. Our women are today privy to a greater degree of respect than before. Add to that the parity we have been striving to bring about in secondary school level enrollment. Fewer people die of infectious diseases than before and awareness of birth control among women has gone up to an admirable level.
Those are the bright spots. But lest we feel complacent with all these facts, there are some hard, even bitter truths staring us in the face. Our religious minorities are more insecure today than at any other time in recent years. Our media, despite all the loud statements suggesting it is free, is yet hampered in some important areas. And crime remains a major concern.
That said, on our part we will suggest that the level of sophisticated political behaviour necessary for the growth and consolidation of democracy to spur on further socio-economic growth is yet to be part of our culture.