Social exclusion and inclusive growth in labour market of India-For sustainable development

India a country of stark contradictions and growing inequalities has now the third highest number of billionaires according to Forbes list but ranks 131th in the HDI among 188 countries surveyed for human development report (2015). The Indian government which considers itself one of the fastest growing economies in the world is pushing a growth driven agenda that opens up all doors for private capital investment-both domestic and abroad. In the country, alike many other economies, GDP rates and FDI are considered to be the magic mantra of development. Not only in times of natural disasters, but in the course of regular process of governance, has the country lacked protection and opportunities for the socially excluded groups and communities. Some problems are rooted in the Social systems that prevail across the country, others created by the model of economic growth pursued by the govt.

The last couple of years have been very disturbing events in the country where ‘hatred’ and ‘divisive’ politics have overshadowed any improvement gained through economic growth. For a govt. like India, both historic aspects like ‘communal hatred’ need to be eliminated if the country is serious about growth. Prof. Amartya Sen recently said that caste system in India is ‘anti-national’ and that all such divisions need to be eliminated if a nation wants to progress. The concept of ‘Social Exclusion’ involves a remarkably wide range of social and economic problems. Social exclusion (or marginalization) is a social disadvantage and relegation to the fringe of society, a social phenomenon by which the minority or subgroups is systematically excluded.

Education has a central role in promoting inclusive economic development. It can be notably help to reduce the share of informal employment going forward and promote social inclusion. Higher human capital is also essential in supporting productivity and innovation. Long term investment in a small number of elite higher education helped the development of India‘s IT sector and business services and has contributed to the country‘s strong growth performance during the past two decades. However such smart investment has not been matched by broader investment in mass education, leading to inequality and social exclusion of large parts of the population. The present paper focuses such causes for social exclusion and inclusive policy for proper educational opportunities and employment generation for the marginalized groups of the society. It also focuses the government policy in labour market reforms which is implementing for achieving the desired goals. The notion of sustainable development at the centre where democracy and people‘s participation are the vehicles to ensure an inclusive society.