Strategies to Optimize Human Resource Utilization

How India Can Unlock Its Human Potential by Investing in Skills, Education, Health, and Meaningful Employment

Pradeep Kumar Biswal

A former Secretary of the Government of India has written this poignant piece: “Today I met an army doctor, retired Lt. General OP Mathew, a cardiologist practising in a hospital in Kochi. He was the head of the army’s headquarters hospital in New Delhi. A thorough professional. The army qualities of a disciplined, meticulous, and professional approach came through. I suggested that young doctors should get training under him. But he said that they don’t show much enthusiasm for meticulous work. In my view, he should be giving lectures in medical colleges to young doctors on how to be a true professional.

Rarely does one meet such individuals. There would be several military officers having such qualities, a valuable resource government should make use of in training and guiding the younger generation. Yes. We bureaucrats never involve them before and after their retirement. We ask all other retirees for advice, but forget them when designing policies and procedures.

In our policy framework, we never think of utilising the services of persons with experience and expertise to pass on their skills and knowledge to successive generations. We tend to forget that Human Resource Management is the key to the progress of the nation. The idea that human resources are a nation’s most valuable asset is a foundational concept in economics and sociology. When we say “human resources,” we’re talking about the skills, knowledge, creativity, and energy of a country’s population.

When these resources are wasted, it can manifest in society in several ways. Unemployment and Underemployment are perhaps the most direct forms of waste. When people who are able and willing to work can’t find a job, their potential contributions to the economy and society are lost. Similarly, underemployment—where a person is working but in a job that doesn’t utilise their full skill set—is a significant waste of talent.

Lack of education and training is another dark spot. A population without access to quality education and opportunities for skill development will be less productive and less able to innovate. This limits a nation’s long-term growth potential and economic development. 

Brain drain is when highly educated and skilled individuals leave their home country to work elsewhere, often due to better opportunities. This loss of talent can severely impact a nation’s ability to develop and compete on a global platform. 

Poor health and nutrition are another area of concern. A workforce that is unhealthy or malnourished will be less productive and have a shorter working life, leading to less economic output.

In order to prevent this waste, nations must invest in their people – the most valuable resources available. Keeping this in view, the government should focus on the quality of education. Ensuring everyone has access to quality education from an early age is fundamental to the human development paradigm. 

Job creation and economic development is another area. Creating an environment where businesses can thrive and create jobs that match the skills of the population. Healthcare and social safety nets are another important step. Keeping the population healthy and providing support for those who are struggling.

Encouraging innovation, too, is important. Creating a culture that values new ideas and provides opportunities for entrepreneurs and innovators.

Finally, it must be noted that a nation’s prosperity and strength are directly linked to how well it nurtures, develops, and utilises the potential of its people. Wasting human resources is not just an economic loss; it’s a social and ethical one as well.”

(Pradeep Biswal, retired IAS Officer, is a bilingual poet writing both in Odia and English. His poems are widely anthologized. He is also an editor and translator of repute. Views are Personal.)