Sunday, October 16, 2011

The Effects of Poverty in India

India, a country famous for its IT, engineering and medical professionals. Yet, it’s stricken with poverty which was so serious that almost every day, there will be a person or a child dying on the streets with sickness, hunger, and unloved. There were even cases of abandoned babies on the streets.
One of the person that I admired and I read, was Mother Teresa. She was a saint living among the poor. Devoting her life to the poorest of the poor. To stay by their side during their dying moments, saying words of comfort and offering them her prayers. She had done so much for the people around the world. Yet, her quest was still far from over.

The government’s aid to alleviate the problem is not helping much at all. There were almost 8 states in the country that was identified as the poorest. And they have to contend with the largest and fastest growing populations.
In the rural areas, where the effects of poverty is the most obvious to be seen, they still practice the caste system. This system identifies a family’s rank in the society based on their wealth. And as the richer becomes richer, the poorer becomes poorer. Some families were not able to afford food every day. Even the rivers and ponds were used to wash their clothes, to bathe, are not sanitised for drinking. Which caused illness to the people. People who are not able to afford the medical expenses were refused admission and were left to survive or die on their own.

Children from the rural areas did not receive proper education as well. They would only learn how to work from their parents and teach them to their children and then their grandchildren. They will not be able to further improve their lives without proper education if Mother Teresa had not stepped in to establish new schools for the children all over the country.
One of the other reason this issue was never resolved was due to the war between India and Pakistan over Kashmir which had lasted more than 50 years. The government spent a fortune on military might and most probably even nuclear weapons as well but this is not the war that they should be fighting.
The issue of poverty and the concerns of the citizens are the main things that should be resolved first. Not waging wars with Pakistan over control of Kashmir. Because of this war, many of India’s citizens paid with their lives as they were not able to have access to the basic necessities like food and medicines. Some of them have even decided to leave the country to find a better life in other parts of the world.
But, with the effect of globalisation, India may be able to be free from this dilemma. Though not immediately, but there will be improvements with increased job opportunities that can bring in more income for the country.

Being a Malaysian, I feel blessed that we can have access to all the basic necessities here. And looking at the effects of war and poverty that has affected the other countries makes me feel more appreciative of what we have here and not wasting them.

13 comments:

Prem said...

If it wasn't for Mother Teresa's efforts, the Indian govenrment and the world will never know the seriousness of the problem. Thanks for sharing

Anna said...

It is sad and heart-aching to see the people dying on the streets every day even when they try their best to survive for another day. Hope there is something I can do to help.

Latha said...

Globalisation is helping the economy and the government is coming up with plans to help alleviate this problem. I believe that one day India will be free from poverty.

JT said...

I feel fortunate to be living in Malaysia with all the basic necessities provided. We must cherish what we have and not waste them.

PP said...

This is a good post to remind ourselves how fortunate we are as there are others trying to live for another day. Keep up the good work.

Anonymous said...

If only India would stop waging war with Pakistan, look and listen carefully the sufferings its people are going through especially those who are poor. This is an interesting post.

Anonymous said...

Mother Teresa has done an amazing job to help out the people in the slums. Though the battle may not be over, at least there are others who is continuing the fight for her.

Anonymous said...

Oppa, this is a really touching post. I feel lucky to be born in Malaysia with all the basic needs. I hope that India will be free from this problem and no more people dying on the streets anymore

~Sabbrina~

Anonymous said...

Poverty in India is a major issue. But, what can we do to help them? Is there a channel that we can approach? I hope that you can include them on the post as well.

Conner said...

Poverty has been an issue for countries around the world for quite some time. Though in different degrees. The main question is, how can we help as individuals to solve this?

CNA classes said...

This is exactly the current scenario of the India.. There are very less people who volunteers to make a difference. And if somebody does an effort, he's suppressed by corrupt people.

Pharmacy tech said...

This is a great post able to teach me something new today. Keep up the good work.

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