Why India’s poverty cycle needs to be broken

Poverty, a situation or position, wherein a person or community does not have the financial resources and essentials to meet the minimum standard of living. It basically implies that the income level from employment is so low that basic human needs cannot be met.

It is common knowledge that poverty-stricken individuals and families might continue to exist without appropriate housing, drinking water, nutritious food, and medical aid. With very less to zero scopes for basic amenities like food, clothing and shelter, poverty also prevents individuals from accessing education and health essentials. Consequently, problems that directly arise because of poverty include malnutrition and susceptibility to diseases, which eventually leads to an untimely death. This issue of poverty impacts individuals on a social as well as a psychological level, leaving them progressively marginalized in society.

Statistically, every nation has its own method of determining the number of its citizens who live in poverty. The World Bank Group conducted a survey which stated that every 1 in 5 Indians lives in poverty; 80% of them reside in villages and rural areas of India. The Union Cabinet defines a household as Below Poverty Line (BPL) whose annual income is less than INR 27,000. In India, the poverty trend is sadly based on caste and religion with the highest recorded poverty among the Scheduled Tribes (ST) followed by Scheduled Castes (SC). 

Briefly, the reasons for poverty in India are varied; this article lists down a few. 

1. Inequitable allocation of land and resources is one of the strongest reasons for poverty in India. 

2. Demands of social obligations and religious commemorations force poor communities to spend their meagre income, which ultimately leads to poverty. 

3. The disparity in earning income is also one of the vital reasons for poverty in India. 

4. The growing population also adds up to the reasons for poverty in India.

5. Urbanisation has led to a steady decline in agricultural productivity, leading many poor communities helpless. 

6. A phenomenon called brain-drain, which involves the migration of qualified and educated nationals to other countries has degraded the economy of India; thus, adding to the issue of poverty. 

7. The rise and hike of the cost of daily essentials lend to the issue of poverty. 

8. Widespread illiteracy and student dropout rate is yet another crucial reason for poverty in India. High fees and quality education go hand-in-hand, which leaves many poor individuals and communities either restricting their children and kin from pursuing education and instead force/pressurise them into labour. 

Even though poverty in India is on a decline, there is a long way to go to alleviate all the reasons for poverty in India. If you wish to be a part of a movement that helps better the situation of millions of people living in poverty, join Save the Children. Visit their website for all the information on their programmes and activities across India.