A third world country... What do you think it means! What images cross your mind when you come across the term "Third world country"! Of a country that is left out. A country with poor and hungry people. Hmm.. let's dig deeper.
This term was coined during the cold war (1941-91) between the western countries, primarily United States (representing the first world) and Soviet Union and other satellite nations (representing the second world). The cold war was the continuing state of political conflict, military tension, proxy wars and economic competition existing after World War-II. Obviously, other countries that remained non-aligned were referred to as the third world countries. These non-aligned countries were primarily poor countries.
This changed post the cold war period, third world countries are now referred to as developing nations. What changed? Hmm.. something to think about. So is India still a third world country? Consider this...
- According to statistics, number of people below poverty line (i.e. people earning below Rs. 10 per day) is a whopping 30 crores (about 30% of india's population).
- Union Carbide wasn't setup in US, UK or Australia, but in India.
- Sub-standard quality of food grains, which is not consumed by people in developed countries is imported by India.
- Iron scrap containing radioactive material is still imported by India.
- Activities like ship breaking is carried out in India, as its laws on dealing with lead paint, asbestos and general worker’s conditions fall far short of Europe and the US.
This isn't all in the list... the list goes on. But isn't it time to value our people and treat them in a more humane way!!! Ain't we demonstrating to the whole world with acts like this, that India is still a third world country!!! I would have used a more soothing word "developing country", but it hurts more when we refer to it as a third-world-country. And I think realising that India is still a third-world-country sooner would probably benefit us. Who knows we may all come together, use population to our advantage and turn India to a faster-developing country.
