Mobiles vs drinking water: The great Indian growth story

In an excellent analysis, the Business Standard has pulled up numbers across a number of parameters from the census 2001 and compared them to the census 2011. There are a host of interesting points, which you must read here -  but the shocker is this: while mobile telephony has grown from 9.1% in [caption id=“attachment_579129” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] Not a drop to drink. Reuters[/caption] 2001 to 63.2% in 2011, in states like Madhya Pradesh drinking water access is actually worse of  by -0.7%.  In the same parameter, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana and Goa are the most improved with access to drinking water rising by 22.9, 22 and 18%. While the fundamental right to water is an established law and recognised by the Supreme Court of India, it is not something that has a clear framework in place. While there have been several schemes and policy actions focused on the issue, it is apparent that each state has sought different solutions. Clearly though, we will have to stop and think very hard, before we shout out our growth story when the most fundamental right and valued source, water, has declined in its availability in one of our large states.