Introduction

Abstract

The Palgrave Pivot Project is based on re-emergence of the importance of human development that was popularized by Schultz in the 1960s for the US economy, followed by Sen and Haq for the developing world. The importance of investing in human resources via education, especially of women, holds the key to human progress. Haq rightly believed that development if not engendered, would definitely be endangered in the future, and this is supported by Kofi Annan, who felt that gender equality is more than a goal in itself. It is a precondition for meeting the challenge of reducing poverty, promoting sustainable development and building good governance. This emerging field is of topical importance in general human development parlance, as well in the specific context of emerging nations like India, for several reasons.