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Poverty as a Challenge in India: Factors, Influences, & Solutions

December 4, 2023 1686 0

Poverty Struggles in Rural and Urban Areas 

Poverty as a Challenge is a pervasive issue in India, and it takes various forms in both rural and urban areas. Poverty as a challenge can be seen in the lives of landless laborers in villages, overcrowded slums in cities, daily wage laborers on construction sites, child laborers in roadside dhabas, and beggars etc.

This article discusses the way Poverty as a Challenge is seen in social sciences. Poverty trends in India and the world are illustrated through the concept of the poverty line. Causes of poverty as well as anti-poverty measures taken by the government are also discussed.

  • Magnitude of Poverty as a Challenge in India: In India, poverty is widespread, with approximately every fifth person living in poverty. 
    • This translates to around 27 crore people living in poverty as of 2011-12.
    • This demonstrates the gravity of the challenge
  • Dimensions of Poverty as a challenge: Poverty as a challenge  entails hunger and a lack of shelter 
    • It is also a condition where parents are unable to send their children to school. 
    • Where sick individuals cannot afford medical treatment. 
    • Poverty signifies a lack of access to clean water and sanitation facilities.
    • The absence of a regular job that provides a minimum standard of living. 
  • The Psychological and Social Impact of Poverty as a Challenge: Most importantly, it entails living with a sense of helplessness, where poor individuals are subjected to mistreatment in various aspects of life, whether on farms, in factories, government offices, hospitals, railway stations, and more.
  • India’s Ongoing Challenge:  One of the greatest challenges India has faced since gaining independence has been the task of lifting millions of its citizens out of abject poverty
    • Mahatma Gandhi consistently emphasized that India would truly achieve independence only when its poorest citizens were liberated from the shackles of human suffering.

Addressing Poverty as a Challenge: Understanding the Impact of Social Exclusion and Vulnerability

Social Exclusion
  • This concept recognizes that poverty is not solely about lacking material resources but also about being excluded from social and economic opportunities that others enjoy. 
  • Meaning: It is the process by which individuals or groups are marginalized or excluded from essential facilities, benefits, and opportunities in society. 
  • The Dual Relationship: Social exclusion can be both a cause and a consequence of poverty. 
  • Example: in the context of India, the caste system historically excluded certain groups from equal opportunities, contributing to their poverty. 
  • The Broader Impact of Social Exclusion: Apart from having a low income, it affects an individual’s or group’s access to education, healthcare, employment, and other aspects of a dignified life.
Vulnerability
  • Meaning: Vulnerability to poverty as a challenge, refers to the increased likelihood that certain communities or individuals will become poor or remain in poverty in the future. 
  • It takes into account various factors that make some groups or people more susceptible to poverty.
  • Assessing Vulnerability to Poverty: 
    • Vulnerability is determined by the options available to these communities or individuals in terms of assets, education, health, and job opportunities. 
    • It also considers the greater risks these groups face during natural disasters, economic downturns, or other adverse events. 
  • Vulnerability in the Context of Universal Challenges: It essentially describes the likelihood of being more adversely affected than others when faced with challenges that impact everyone, such as a natural disaster or an economic crisis.
  • Both social exclusion and vulnerability highlight that poverty as a challenge is not just about income levels but also about disparities in opportunities, resources, and the ability to cope with adverse situations.
  • Addressing poverty as a Challenge comprehensively requires considering these broader dimensions and the specific circumstances of marginalized and vulnerable groups.

Exploring Causes of Poverty in India: The Factors Shaping Economic Struggles 

  • The causes of widespread poverty as a Challenge in India are complex and multifaceted, with historical, economic, social, and cultural factors playing significant roles. 
  • Let us study some key factors contributing to poverty in India:
Colonial Legacy
  • India’s low level of economic development under British colonial rule had long-lasting effects on its economy.
  • The policies of the colonial government discouraged the growth of indigenous industries and handicrafts, which were a major source of livelihood for many.
Population Growth
  • India has experienced rapid population growth over the years. 
  • The combination of low economic growth and high population growth resulted in a low per capita income
  • This made it challenging to provide employment opportunities for the growing population.
Limited Industrialization
  • While the Green Revolution and agricultural modernization created job opportunities in the agriculture sector in some regions, industrialization was limited in its capacity to absorb the workforce. 
  • Many job seekers in cities had to settle for low-paying and informal jobs.
Urbanization and Slums 
  • The lack of job opportunities in cities led to the growth of urban poverty. 
    • People who couldn’t find stable jobs ended up working as rickshaw pullers, vendors, construction workers, or domestic servants. 
  • The irregular and small incomes earned in these occupations made it difficult for them to afford proper housing, resulting in the proliferation of urban slums.
Income Inequality
  • India has significant income inequalities, with unequal distribution of land and resources being a major contributing factor. 
  • Land reforms aimed at redistributing assets in rural areas have not been effectively implemented in many states, perpetuating land concentration in the hands of a few.
Socio-cultural Factors 
  • Social obligations and religious ceremonies in India often require people, including the poor, to spend a substantial amount of money. 
    • This can lead to financial strain, especially for those with limited resources.
Indebtedness 
  • Poverty as a Challenge, coupled with a lack of savings force many individuals to borrow money for various purposes, including agricultural inputs. 
    • When individuals are unable to repay their debts due to Poverty as a Challenge  they fall into a cycle of indebtedness, which can exacerbate their economic struggles.

Conclusion
Tackling poverty in India requires addressing Poverty as a Challenge comprehensively. Recognizing the intricate web of historical, economic, social, and cultural factors is crucial for implementing effective solutions and breaking the cycle of economic struggles.

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UDAAN PRELIMS WALLAH
Comprehensive coverage with a concise format
Integration of PYQ within the booklet
Designed as per recent trends of Prelims questions
हिंदी में भी उपलब्ध

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