Poverty in-india-1234976236773547-2

Poverty in IndiaPoverty in India

"The biggest enemy of health in the "The biggest enemy of health in the developing world is poverty."developing world is poverty."

- -Kofi AnnanKofi Annan

What is Poverty?What is Poverty?

Poverty is hunger. Poverty is hunger.

Poverty is lack of shelter.Poverty is lack of shelter.

Poverty is being sick and not being Poverty is being sick and not being able to see a doctor.able to see a doctor.

Poverty is not having access to school Poverty is not having access to school and not knowing how to read.and not knowing how to read.

Poverty is not having a job, is fear for Poverty is not having a job, is fear for the future, living one day at a time.the future, living one day at a time.

Poverty is losing a child to illness Poverty is losing a child to illness brought about by unclean water.brought about by unclean water.

Poverty is powerlessness, lack of Poverty is powerlessness, lack of representation and freedom.representation and freedom.

Facts & Figures….Facts & Figures….

As of 2005, 85.7% of the population lives on less than $2.50 (PPP) As of 2005, 85.7% of the population lives on less than $2.50 (PPP) a day.a day.

the Planning Commission of India has estimated that 27.5% of the the Planning Commission of India has estimated that 27.5% of the population was living below the poverty line in 2004–2005.population was living below the poverty line in 2004–2005.

Between 1999 and 2008, the annualized growth rates for Gujarat Between 1999 and 2008, the annualized growth rates for Gujarat (8.8%), Haryana (8.7%), or Delhi (7.4%) were much higher than for (8.8%), Haryana (8.7%), or Delhi (7.4%) were much higher than for Bihar (5.1%), Uttar Pradesh (4.4%), or Madhya Pradesh Bihar (5.1%), Uttar Pradesh (4.4%), or Madhya Pradesh (3.5%).Poverty rates in rural Orissa (43%) and rural Bihar (41%) are (3.5%).Poverty rates in rural Orissa (43%) and rural Bihar (41%) are higher than in the world's poorest countries such as Malawi.higher than in the world's poorest countries such as Malawi.

A 2007 report by the state-run National Commission for Enterprises A 2007 report by the state-run National Commission for Enterprises in the Unorganised Sector (NCEUS) found that 25% of Indians, or in the Unorganised Sector (NCEUS) found that 25% of Indians, or 236 million people, lived on less than 20 rupees per day 236 million people, lived on less than 20 rupees per day

Statistical StudyStatistical Study

Causes…Causes…The view blaming British

•The Indian economy was purposely and

severely deindustrialized through colonial

privatizations, regulations, tariffs on

manufactured or refined Indian goods, taxes,

and direct seizures.

•Not only was Indian industry losing out, but

consumers were forced to rely on expensive

British manufactured goods, especially as

barter, local crafts and subsistence agriculture

was discouraged by law.

•British policies in India exacerbated weather

conditions to lead to mass famines which, when

taken together, led to between 30 to 60 million

deaths from starvation in the Indian colonies.

•Community grain banks were forcibly disabled,

land was converted from food crops for local

consumption to cotton, opium, tea, and grain for

export, largely for animal feed.

Causes contd….Causes contd….

UnemploymentUnemployment and and underemploymentunderemployment, arising in part from protectionist , arising in part from protectionist policies pursued till 1991 that prevented high foreign investment.policies pursued till 1991 that prevented high foreign investment.

About 60% of the population depends on agriculture whereas the contribution of About 60% of the population depends on agriculture whereas the contribution of agriculture to the GDP is about 18%.agriculture to the GDP is about 18%.

High population growth rate, although demographers generally agree that this is High population growth rate, although demographers generally agree that this is a symptom rather than cause of poverty.a symptom rather than cause of poverty.

The The caste systemcaste system, under which hundreds of millions of Indians were kept away , under which hundreds of millions of Indians were kept away from educational, ownership, and employment opportunities, and subjected to from educational, ownership, and employment opportunities, and subjected to violence for "getting out of line." British rulers encouraged caste privileges and violence for "getting out of line." British rulers encouraged caste privileges and customs, at least before the 20th century. customs, at least before the 20th century.

General Causes…

Outlook for Poverty alleviation Outlook for Poverty alleviation Poverty alleviation is expected to make better progress in the next 50 years Poverty alleviation is expected to make better progress in the next 50 years than in the past, as a trickle-down effect of the growing middle class. than in the past, as a trickle-down effect of the growing middle class.

Increasing stress on education, reservation of seats in government jobs and Increasing stress on education, reservation of seats in government jobs and the increasing empowerment of women and the economically weaker the increasing empowerment of women and the economically weaker sections of society, are also expected to contribute to the alleviation of sections of society, are also expected to contribute to the alleviation of poverty. It is incorrect to say that all poverty reduction programmes have poverty. It is incorrect to say that all poverty reduction programmes have failed.failed.

The growth of the middle class indicates that economic prosperity has The growth of the middle class indicates that economic prosperity has indeed been very impressive in India, but the distribution of wealth is not at indeed been very impressive in India, but the distribution of wealth is not at all even.all even.

After the liberalization process and moving away from the socialist model, After the liberalization process and moving away from the socialist model, India is adding 60-70 million people to its middle class every year. At the India is adding 60-70 million people to its middle class every year. At the current rate of growth, a majority of Indians will be middle-class by 2025. current rate of growth, a majority of Indians will be middle-class by 2025.

Thank You all for being cooperative and patient.

-Anirban Dasgupta