DFID and Three Faces of India

DFID and the three Faces of India : 

DFID and the three Faces of India Paul Thomas – Procurement Adviser TiE Delhi Special Interest Group (SIG) Launch 7th March 2009

DFID and Three Faces of India : 

DFID and Three Faces of India India contains a sixth of the world’s population. Since 1947 the population has tripled, life expectancy has doubled from 32 to 66 and education levels have risen steadily. India’s trillion dollar economy is now the tenth largest in the world. Growth has accelerated significantly over past five years and India’s influence is mounting; India is becoming a major global power. Economic growth has driven down the proportion in people living in extreme poverty from 46% in 1987 to 34% in 2005 BUT poverty on large scale still persists – nearly 400 million people still live on less than $1 a day and another 500 million live on between $1-2 a day – 80% of population (900 Million) survive on less than $2 a day. India’s economy is booming BUT nearly half of its children are mal nourished (43% of children under five compared to 29% in Sub-Saharan Africa). India’s cities host world class institutions of technology but 2 out of 5 children cannot read a short paragraph after four years of schooling. Medical tourists vie for treatment in India’s private hospitals, whilst more than half of women risk their lives by giving birth without trained health staff.

DFID and Three Faces of India : 

DFID and Three Faces of India DFID’s Approach to India’s development challenges recognises that there are three layers of Indian Society with which we need to work and deal with in different ways. GLOBAL INDIA – prospering and becoming influential World Player in trade, environment and within international systems. Characterised by rapid growth, world class IT services & well educated/wealthy middle class – BUT reality for only 20% of Indian citizens. DEVELOPING INDIA – segments of society with social/economic ties to Global India – whose lives are beginning to get better but still have poor public health systems, under nourished & Low quality of education. On borderline between poverty & prosperity. POOREST INDIA – Most pressing group for DFID – 400 million live in extreme poverty - survival from day to day is primary concern - often disadvantaged by geographic location, social status – focused in 4 States – Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar & Orissa.

DFID and Three Faces of India : 

DFID and Three Faces of India India-UK relations have never been stronger in terms of trade, economic ties, tourism, education and security. Development is key tenet of UK’s bilateral relationship with India. India is DFID’s largest bilateral programme. DFID has provided over a £ 1 billion to India in bilateral aid over the past five years. On his recent visit to India, Prime Minister Gordon Brown announced that the UK will invest another £825 million for development in India over the next three years. Of that, up to £500 million will be spent on health and education.

DFID and Three Faces of India : 

DFID and Three Faces of India DFID works mainly with:- National Government supporting Centrally Sponsored Schemes such as RCH, NACP and SSA Focal States:- Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal, Madhya Pradesh and Orissa. Also starting to work in Bihar. Most of DFID’s work in India is with Developing and Poorest India focusing on four main areas:- a. Education b. Health and Nutrition c. Inclusive Growth d. Governance Reform

DFID and Three Faces of India : 

DFID and Three Faces of India Education - Most support is at National Level building on achievements of national universal elementary education programme – Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA). Also providing TA support to GoI as it invests in Secondary education. DFID also supports GOI flagship women’s empowerment programme, Mahila Samakhya which educates women/girls to demand better services for themselves and their peers. Health and Nutrition – DFID supports Reproductive/Child health through RCH Programme and provides support to state governments to improve their entire health systems, including staffing, procurement of medicines/infrastructure. DFID also supports National AIDS Control Programme (NACP) and through WHO, TB reduction. DFID accepts that there is no easy fix for nutrition challenges which affect nearly half of India’s Children. Assisting through rural livelihood programmes, in health reform and in ICDS.

DFID and Three Faces of India : 

DFID and Three Faces of India Inclusive Growth: DFID works with its partner states and at national level to help the poor participate in India’s growth. Microfinance industry will be expanded and SMEs given focused assistance. In particular DFID will focus on poorest states – particularly regarding rural livelihood programmes where poor farmers begin to profit from their land. Governance Reform: DFID supports modernisation of government at both national and at state level. This includes providing focused TA support to build capacity, develop systems and provide training. Aim is to strengthen government systems and make them more responsive to its citizens. Also DFID will use its experience in urban development to raise living standards in slums and inform GoI National Urban management policies.

DFID and Three Faces of India : 

DFID and Three Faces of India One of the key areas of focus of DFID support relates directly to fighting exclusion and in particular addressing gender inequality and other forms of discrimination such as that based on caste. FINALLY regarding Global India DFID works with GoI in a partnership that supports the achievement of the MDGs globally – focusing in particular on India as a global partner and in improving multilateral effectiveness. At the 2008 UK-India Summit Prime Ministers Gordon Brown and Manmohan Singh signed up to a partnership to fight poverty globally – commitment to work with India on international policy areas such as climate change, trade and access to Medicines.

Slide 9: 

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