The World's Aim of Extinguishing Poverty

Abstract

At dawn, this article may seem like any other, briefing people about the economic state of most of the people on this planet. But as we dig deeper and deeper, we discover that this isn't just another article about poverty; instead, it's a report, breaking down the situation of billions, who struggle every day without basic amenities. In this report, you will understand the destruction poverty has caused, how to end it, and how to go about it in the future.

I. Key Words

Indian Economy, Economic Crisis, Poverty, Developing, Causes, Factors, The Big Five

II. Introduction

As Nelson Mandela once said, “Overcoming poverty is not an act of charity; it is an act of justice." But just how hard is it to overcome poverty? Everywhere we go, be it India or abroad, we find trillions out on the streets, begging for food, money, and shelter. It is a saddening state to witness. The one thing I am surprised about is that, though the world has progressed thoroughly in thousands of fields, we still cannot provide necessary facilities to the residents of this world.

I’m sure all of us have fallen short of cash at some point in time in our lives. But that is an individual experience. It is not the same as poverty. Let us look at the causes first, and then the factors that affect poverty, 'The Big Five,' as they are popularly known, and how poverty can be reduced, if not eradicated.

III. Causes: Colonialism, Slavery, War, and Conquest

IV. Factors:

1. Ignorance: This means having a lack of information or lack of knowledge. As the old saying goes, 'Knowledge is Power.' However, when people don't have adequate access to information or education, they aren't qualified for good jobs and thus don't get good pay to look after themselves or their family. Meanwhile, they indulge in numerous malpractices like drinking and smoking, not to mention, taking drugs.

2. Disease: When communities have a high disease rate, absenteeism is also high, and less wealth is created. Apart from the significant discomfort and misery, it is also a factor contributing to poverty. People affected by poverty will not have enough money to cure these diseases as they lack the necessary facilities, and thus, will have to surrender to these dangerous diseases.

3. Apathy: This is when people do not care, or when they feel so powerless that they don't try to change things for the good. Many a time, well off people are seen ignoring the poor, not even bothering about their state of misery. Sometimes, people feel so unable to achieve something, and they are jealous of their family, or fellow members of their country who attempt to do so. They only aim is to bring the attempting achiever down to their level of poverty. Thus, we can say that apathy breeds apathy.

4. Dishonesty - When resources that are intended to be used for the community, are diverted into the pockets of someone in power, there is more than morality at stake. This is a significant cause of poverty — dishonesty amongst people of trust and authority. The individual enjoys the amounts stolen from the public, which is far less than the decrease in wealth that was for the people.

5. Dependency - Dependency is the result of being on the receiving end of charity. In the short run like after a disaster, that charity might be essential for survival. In the long term, that charity can contribute to the demise of the recipient, and indeed to ongoing poverty. The receiver may become too dependent on charity and not even try to get out of the financial crisis that he is currently facing.

V. Current Situation

A famous economist Amartya Sen once said, “Poverty is not just a lack of money. It is lacking the capability to realize your full potential as a human being." According to the World Bank, in 2015, 736 million people lived on less than $1.90 a day. More than 695 million people, or 10% of the global population, still live in extreme poverty and struggle to fulfill the most basic needs like health, education, and access to water and sanitation, naming a few. Worldwide, the poverty levels in rural areas is 17.2 percent—more than three times higher than in urban areas. The latest World Bank projections project that if we continue to go down a business-as-usual path, eradicating extreme poverty by 2030 is out of the question.

VI. Children and their vulnerability

Children also fall prey to global poverty, with 29,000 children dying every single day from preventable causes – such as diarrhea, malaria, neonatal infection, pneumonia, preterm delivery, or lack of oxygen at birth – which are highly correlated with poverty.

VII. Situations in different countries

1. South Asia and Sub – Saharan Africa: The majority of people living on less than $1.90 a day live in sub-Saharan Africa.

2. China and India - Swift economic growth in China and India has lifted millions of people out of poverty, but progress unfortunately has been uneven.

VIII. What the SDG’s do to abolish poverty

The SDGs are a bold commitment to complete what we started and end poverty in all forms and dimensions by 2030, and this involves targeting those living in vulnerable situations, increasing access to primary resources and services, and supporting communities affected by conflict and climate-related disasters.

IX. India and Poverty

Between 2015-16, the number of people affected by poverty climbed down to 27.5 percent from 54.7 percent as per the 2018 global Multidimensional Poverty Index report. Within ten years, the number of poor people in India fell by more than 271 million. In 2005-06 there were 292 million poor children in India. The Government of India has many progressive schemes, including the world's most massive employment guarantee scheme, the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme and the National Social Assistance Program.

X. Concluding Remarks

"The curse of poverty has no justification in our age." These are the words of Martin Luther King Junior. And I can say that he was incredibly right in saying these words. We have now understood the situation in the present, causes, and factors affecting poverty. We have come to know what the condition is of different countries and how they are developing. And lastly, we've learned about India, and the methods the government has taken to eliminate poverty.

My hope after writing this article is that awareness grows amongst people to stop the destructive impact the poverty has created. I wish that everyone, from a peasant to the Prime Minister, works hard to eradicate this virus called poverty. Hence, every citizen of planet earth can lead a life of pleasures and happiness, spending his last years, not in the hospital, but bliss.

Jai Hind!

SOURCE – (www.undp.org)