Discussing Poverty
Every time a discussion on Poverty is started, especially in a country like ours, it usually ends up having the same conclusions, more or less:
- Poverty is rampant in India with a majority of people being victims.
- The government schemes aimed at eradicating poverty either fail, or do not deliver the promised results - partly due to the sheer number of poor households, and majorly due to corruption and red tape.
- Poor people end up being grossly victimised, by paying the largest share of bribes to corrupt officials.
- blah blah blah.
Further, when asked about the reasons behinf poverty, we have readymade answers:
- Poverty is a part of life. It is everywhere.
- Social restrictions like untouchability discourage low caste people from taking up respectable professions, so they end up being poor.
- Erratic monsoon, and agricultural sector’s over-dependence on it are top reasons too.
- blah blah blah.
These facts notwithstanding, these reasons notwithstanding, we still fail to look at one simple fact. Illiteracy, and the lack of proper skill set for the job at hand are the only factors that contribute to poverty.
Be it farming, or be it any other work - today’s modern world demands quick results. A small farmer living in the remotest part of India is still not protected by the Global fluctuations in the prices of Agricultural Products. Unless he raises his production, he may not be able to survive (Inflation at work!); and an increase in production means that he needs to have an adequate knowledge of efficient farming practices, which can only be acquired through proper channels of education.
To demonstrate this better, I am describing a chat I had with my house painter last week. Here it goes:
Saay Alam is a 30 year old house painter hailing from Bihar. His father is a farmer there, growin corn. Years ago, his father used to follow traditonal practices and relied on monsoon. However, ever since he has bought a tractor and installed a tubewell in his farm with the help of a bank loan, the production has nearly doubled. Essentially, this means that for the family, the days of poverty are over.
Saay Alam, however, decided not to pursue farming. He studied till Class 10, and learnt the art of house painting from another painter in the capital. He has been living in Delhi ever since. He says that he is able to find work for almost 25 days in a month, earning about Rs. 275-300 for every work day. This amount is a lot greater than he would have earned by farming. He is now a proud owner of a mobile phone, and even gifted one to his father last month.
What do we learn from this? Saay Alam and his father, both prospered by education. Mind you, it isn’t about having theoretical knowledge. The father cannot read or write, but he has acquired a modern common sense to do things in a different way. As for Saay Alam himself, he is benefitting from the vocational training he gained from someone already in the profession.
Now comes the part of the Government. Have you ever noticed the way it behaves when it comes face to face with poverty? When poor and debt-ridden farmers commit suicide, it provides compensation to their families, and pretty much nothing else. It needs to change directions over here.
In addtion to opening more and more schools, emphasis should be paid on starting courses on vocational training and entrepreneurship too, so that people living in villages can benefit from them. After all, a common villager who earns is an entrepreneur, doing a business, and not a job.
Once the people are well informed, weeding out social restrictions and corruption can be a little easier, which will bring out prosperity.
Let us make poverty history.
| [Image Credits] |
| Father and Son - The Cycle of Poverty Continues by Uncultured |
| Make Poverty History by Rogiro |
Filed under Thoughts category.
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