Developing mind for human development

Human development debate has shifted from the early day's gross domestic product (GDP) growth-centric approach to a much wider one these days. During the second half of the 20th century, human development focused only on economic growth and its hypothetical development. In the early 1970's and 80's, the focus shifted on redistribution of wealth through employment so that people of all classes could meet their basic needs.
Three foundations for human development have been endorsed internationally. These are: to live a healthy and creative life; to be able to gather knowledge and to have access to resources required for leading a life of decent standard. The pioneer of the theory of human development Mahbubul Haq and its more comprehensive campaigner Amartya Sen emphasised the need for creating conditions or an environment in which people could develop to their full potential - both individually and collectively. An enabling environment would be there for people to lead a productive and creative life of their choice.
As against richness of economies, the emphasis is more on the richness of life.
Theoretically, this approach to human development is as much sound as it could be. But the problem lies in the creation of conditions or a congenial environment for all people to realise their full potential. Income growth alone cannot be a precondition for human well-being. The argument gathers strength particularly in the context of an increasing number of youths' irresistible attraction for violence and extermination of lives in the name of religion. What exactly drives them so insane when they got almost everything they could ask for! They were raised in rich families, received education at prestigious educational institutions and yet there was that Mephistophelian temptation that drove them insane out of home.
Foreign Secretary Md. Shahidul Haque seems to have lightly touched on this issue during his panel discussion at a high level political forum at the United Nations Headquarters, New York. Participating in the panel discussion titled 'Ensuring that no one is left behind: Reaching the most vulnerable', Shahidul Huq has suggested wider and more creative steps for today's youths in order to meet challenges of the influences religious fundamentalism cast on them. The existing socio-economic system, particularly driven by the free market economy, has woefully exposed its weakness to deal with the crisis.
The definition of human well-being or development has not covered this retrogressive journey by some members of the supposedly most productive and creative segment of society. They may not be the majority of any society but their thoughts and actions have been giving a nightmarish time to the world in general. The fault lines lie within society. No young man is born a zealot nor an unrepentant murderer of innocent people with whom they have no enmity. Society has not been caring enough to nurture these young minds.
How many boys and girls today have the opportunity to participate in games and sports, cultural activities such as debate, songs and music, dramas and recitation of poems? The few who get opportunity to join a handful of such groups based in the capital are lucky indeed. But wider society has hardly any such forum to hone their talent in areas of sports and performing art.
Today's education is largely to blame. Mainstream students are left no time to pursue extra curricular activities outside their study often heavily burdened with private coaching and lessons from house tutors. Top students still do excel in academic performance but mostly they leave the country for higher studies and jobs abroad. Bookworms, they do not develop any sense of patriotism. It is the next level that wants to have the best of both worlds suffers from a dilemma. They are susceptible to temptation of any kind.
In absence of cultural and sporting ambience, minds have no chance to get enlightened and the influence of nasty politics only prompt them to think negatively. Without enlightenment human mind can be very dangerous. Driven by a desire for material comfort and luxury, many simply stoop low to compromise on ethics and values. Corruption has thus become endemic in Bangladesh society. No illustrious example for youths.      
The issue assumes greater significance for society in Bangladesh because half of the country's population is below the age of 25. By 2030, two-thirds of the country's population will be active in terms of taking over their economic affairs. Policy frameworks cannot ignore this reality. Much of the country's future depends on how they develop themselves in the years ahead. These young generations should be in focus whenever the development strategies are framed.
What emerges as a very important factor for human development in today's Bangladesh is the development of young mind. The existing form of education has proved inadequate to take care of their minds. There is need for creating facilities for developing their health and minds through participatory sports and games and other extra-curricular activities. The repressive form of education has taken a toll on their minds. They must be given an environment where they will enjoy what they learn. They must feel integrated -instead of isolated- not only with larger society but also with the wider world. This is where the development focus has to be directed from now on.
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