New Delhi: India has not been able to get its rightful place in the world due to inadequate attention paid to health and education, Deputy Prime Minister (DPM) L K Advani on November 10 said agreeing with the view of noted economic scientist Amartya Sen on this.

There has been a lot of discussion on why the country was not able to attain its rightful place in the world, Advani said at a national health assembly function organised by the National Medicos Organisation.

"According to Sen, the main reason for lack of development was that we neglected education and health," the DPM said, adding, "I liked this view."

"That is the reason I go to any function related to health or education despite being a Home Minister. I fulfil the mandate of my government by doing this," he said.

Stating that even after 50 years of Independence, the country was not able to realise the dreams of freedom fighters, Advani said, "Our party holds the view that it is because we have not been able to convert Independence into good governance."

PTI