The tragic death of a tribal woman in Chhota Udepur, Gujarat, underscores a glaring failure in India’s 21st-century development narrative. Despite the country’s strides in technology, economy, and global influence, the incident reveals a stark reality: the persistent neglect of basic infrastructure and essential services in rural and tribal areas.
This incident, where a pregnant woman had to be carried in a makeshift cloth stretcher due to the absence of a proper road, only to die on the way to the ambulance after delivering her baby, is a heart-wrenching reminder of the systemic failures that continue to plague India’s rural landscape. The village, located on the banks of the Narmada River, is now in deep mourning and agitated over the delay in constructing a road that could have ensured timely medical intervention.
In the 21st century, such incidents should be relics of the past. Yet, they persist, highlighting the deep-seated inequalities and the uneven distribution of development benefits. While urban centres boast of world-class infrastructure and cutting-edge technology, many rural and tribal areas remain trapped in a time warp, struggling with necessities like roads, healthcare, and education.
The lack of a road in this village is not just a logistical failure; it is a failure of governance and political will. Roads are lifelines that connect remote areas to essential services, markets, and opportunities. They are fundamental to ensuring that all citizens, regardless of their geographical location, have access to the benefits of development. The absence of such infrastructure in the 21st century is a stark indicator of the priorities that have been misplaced.
Moreover, this incident raises critical questions about the state’s commitment to its most vulnerable populations. Tribal communities, often marginalized and neglected, bear the brunt of such systemic failures. Their voices are frequently unheard, and their needs are unmet, leading to tragic outcomes like the one witnessed in Chhota Udepur. This is not just a failure of infrastructure but a failure of empathy and inclusivity in policy-making.
The Supreme Court of India has repeatedly emphasized the right to life and health as fundamental rights. Yet, incidents like these show a disconnect between judicial pronouncements and ground realities. The need for robust, inclusive, and empathetic governance has never been more urgent. Policies must be designed and implemented with a focus on the most marginalized, ensuring that development reaches the last mile.
The solution lies in a multi-faceted approach. First, there must be an urgent audit of infrastructure gaps in rural and tribal areas, followed by a time-bound action plan to address these gaps. Second, there needs to be a greater allocation of resources towards rural development, ensuring that funds are not just allocated but effectively utilized. Third, community participation should be encouraged in planning and monitoring development projects to ensure that they meet the actual needs of the people.