04/08/2024
What it takes to be a developed country?
I think the primary criterion should be quality of life.
I am living in Delhi so will speak of it.
All bills and utility services can be paid online like electricity, telecom, internet, DTH services, cooking gas, water, house tax etc. there are issues with services but still a lot has improved leading to better quality of life. If you want a connection of mobile, you can get it within half an hour.
Then retail services, food delivery, cabs, tuitions, even access to plumbers, electricians, carpenters and barbers, drugs etc. are all available online. The offline services are also available.
The lower income group does not have access to good homes and salaries are on the lower side. That will also improve with time. Health and education facilities are available in private as well as for free in government.
The negative sides are pollution and traffic congestions. After every rain there is waterlogging. Water and sewage treatment facilities, waste disposal, cleanliness etc. are not up to the mark. Law and order are OK. Commercial spaces are less. There is corruption in some departments. There is problem with the municipal corporation.
By and large it seems that quality of life is better. With IT and services, it might be possible to become a developed country at much lower Per Capita income.
Having said this, there is scope for a lot of improvement.