India’s SDGs: The data that’s visible is easy to track but it’s not what ultimately matters

For citizens, the visible number is the benefit received. The state provides food grains, health insurance, housing, cash transfers and scholarships. Yet, a relationship in which the state only gives and the citizen only receives is not a healthy one. A health centre cannot help families who skip immunization or ignore the early signs of lifestyle diseases. Skilling programmes work only when young people complete them. Cash transfers build futures only when part of the money goes into education, savings and lasting assets.