Interrogating the Indian Development trajectories: Lessons for Nigeria

Abstract

From a backward agriculture dominated economy, India jumped straight within a short-while (after four decades of diverse experiment with the socialist model) into an economic structure lead by service and high-end manufacturing sector. Its development model is principally driven by the rapid expansion of the high-end knowledge- intensive sector. This is otherwise known as the knowledge economy. We attempt to unveil the path to the knowledge economy. To do the explanation, we adopt neo-liberalism as our theoretical guide. Our method is historical, descriptive, and analytical .Data are basically collected from secondary sources. A careful analysis of the Indian model of development show: paradox of a flailing state; a neglect of the low-end labour- intensive sector such as manufacturing and agriculture, a growing inequality despite the quantum leap in GDP, This call for a more inclusive development model that will be a sustainable model for a pluralistic society such as India.