Another very well written article!! Although the poverty in India is declining but some glaring issues remain. Prevalence of undernourishment within India is on the rise-and well above the global prevelance.People in India are unable to afford quality food.The government providing additional free food grains to more than 800 million people after the pandemic was a policy recognition of this grim reality. Affordability of a balanced and healthy diet remains the key challenge in ensuring food security.
The gap between the rich and the poor continues to widen.Todays Newspaper has given the data that top 5% of richest Indians own 53% of all ACs!! This is just one example,we see disparity and inequality all around us everyday .The government has to implement its poverty alleviation programs effectively to bring a real change in the society.
Couldn't agree with you more. The public policy is now poised for a pivot. After addressing the legacy deficit, it has to turn to the issue of blunting inequality. Like you shared, it is sad that the annual spend of the rich households in India is 25 times that of the poorest. This will not go away. And should be front and center of the strategy to teach people how to fish.
Although this wonderful achievement has been mentioned by you earlier Anil, this article is a comprehensive coverage of the progress made and the reasons that have brought about this rapid change in the last 15 years or so. For me the central point is the will of the present government to emerge as a developed nation in the next decade or so and to do so, the lives of the people in the lower half of the pyramid, had to be changed. The realization that this was the path to progress, led to surprising initiatives like Swachh Bharat. Toilets and tap water for all. Electrification of all villages, to name a few. We can only go ahead as a complete nation together and not the top half steaming ahead, which is not possible. A lot of work still needs to be done, as the income gap between the rich and poor, continues to widen. Great write up.
Thank you for your thoughts. You are spot on. The tipping point was crossed thanks to the mission mode with the basics to address the legacy deficit that India sadly carried for the first seven decades. And, yes India is still miles from declaring mission accomplished. Miles to go before it can sleep as it were.
Thank you so much for such an uplifting newsletter to start the week.
Niti Aayog's report confirms what we have been witnessing around us, that the abject poverty that was so much a part of India, is slowly receding. What is equally heartening is the fact that even the two pandemic years did not reverse this trend. If the two toughest years in our post independence history did not cause more people to slip into poverty, it can only mean that India has finally figured out how to tackle poverty effectively. The last mile is always the toughest but hopefully that will be achieved before this decade is over.
Nice to see you here again. Thank you for your kind words.
Actually, the government's free food grain programme--active for over two years now--has undoubtedly mitigated the unprecedented fallout from the back-to-back economic shocks we have witnessed in the last three years. The effort to bridge the legacy deficit in basics too has helped develop the resilience. But, like you said these are tough times, and hence the last mile is even tougher to traverse. So, fingers crossed.
Once again, Anil, your material is very well researched, with a lot of data, information and analysis.
To be honest, like many, many Indians, i too have been a skeptic but with the approach that, as an Indian, i must do whatever it takes within my limited circle of influence to help as many as i can, whenever i possibly can, and as often as i can.
Knowing your integrity and unbiased approach to reporting, i am very happy to accept this data, but with the rider that almost all nations would like to tweak information to create a much needed positive spin in today's world of almost hourly glum news.
We can all feel the change. Numbers and assessments are just a better scientific way to get convinced. One does hope that lethargy does not creep in with some good success. One also does hope that all parties subscribe to the philosophy of poverty alleviation.
As a nation, our people deserve a decently dignified existence. Its been long overdue. Thank you, India, thank you, the powers that be.
Most importantly, for a nation of our size, each of us, no matter how small or big we may be, need to inculcate the philosophy of ISR (Individual Social Responsibility) where we reach out to the ones in our vicinity and assist them in whatever ways we can. And this should not necessarily be done to get tax benefits.
No government of a complex and large country like ours can handle this on its own. We need to colletively help each other. Else the gap between the haves and the have-nots is growing.
Thank you so much for your measured and detailed response. Couldn't agree with you more. And, you are absolutely right about all of us becoming stakeholders. Love the term ISR. It can includes something as simple as following rules, not littering, following hygiene and so on. There is so much that individuals can do.
India's big challenge is the haves and the have nots. Like I pointed out that it is only now that these legacy deficits are being overcome. But this is relatively low hanging fruit. For people to be taught how to fish, they need skilling, a congenial ecosystem and so on.
So while it is great that India has won a key battle--against poverty--it still has a long way to go. While we should be inspired by the success, like you point out we can't be lulled into complacence.
Dear Anil,
Another very well written article!! Although the poverty in India is declining but some glaring issues remain. Prevalence of undernourishment within India is on the rise-and well above the global prevelance.People in India are unable to afford quality food.The government providing additional free food grains to more than 800 million people after the pandemic was a policy recognition of this grim reality. Affordability of a balanced and healthy diet remains the key challenge in ensuring food security.
The gap between the rich and the poor continues to widen.Todays Newspaper has given the data that top 5% of richest Indians own 53% of all ACs!! This is just one example,we see disparity and inequality all around us everyday .The government has to implement its poverty alleviation programs effectively to bring a real change in the society.
Dear Vandana,
Couldn't agree with you more. The public policy is now poised for a pivot. After addressing the legacy deficit, it has to turn to the issue of blunting inequality. Like you shared, it is sad that the annual spend of the rich households in India is 25 times that of the poorest. This will not go away. And should be front and center of the strategy to teach people how to fish.
Look forward to your continued participation.
Best
Anil
Although this wonderful achievement has been mentioned by you earlier Anil, this article is a comprehensive coverage of the progress made and the reasons that have brought about this rapid change in the last 15 years or so. For me the central point is the will of the present government to emerge as a developed nation in the next decade or so and to do so, the lives of the people in the lower half of the pyramid, had to be changed. The realization that this was the path to progress, led to surprising initiatives like Swachh Bharat. Toilets and tap water for all. Electrification of all villages, to name a few. We can only go ahead as a complete nation together and not the top half steaming ahead, which is not possible. A lot of work still needs to be done, as the income gap between the rich and poor, continues to widen. Great write up.
Dear Gautam,
Thank you for your thoughts. You are spot on. The tipping point was crossed thanks to the mission mode with the basics to address the legacy deficit that India sadly carried for the first seven decades. And, yes India is still miles from declaring mission accomplished. Miles to go before it can sleep as it were.
Look forward to your continued participation.
Best
Anil
Dear Anil
Thank you so much for such an uplifting newsletter to start the week.
Niti Aayog's report confirms what we have been witnessing around us, that the abject poverty that was so much a part of India, is slowly receding. What is equally heartening is the fact that even the two pandemic years did not reverse this trend. If the two toughest years in our post independence history did not cause more people to slip into poverty, it can only mean that India has finally figured out how to tackle poverty effectively. The last mile is always the toughest but hopefully that will be achieved before this decade is over.
Dear Laxmi,
Nice to see you here again. Thank you for your kind words.
Actually, the government's free food grain programme--active for over two years now--has undoubtedly mitigated the unprecedented fallout from the back-to-back economic shocks we have witnessed in the last three years. The effort to bridge the legacy deficit in basics too has helped develop the resilience. But, like you said these are tough times, and hence the last mile is even tougher to traverse. So, fingers crossed.
Look forward to your continued participation.
Best
Anil
Hi Anil
Last few paras are worth in gold !
What needs to be done for sustainability of the present trend are significant suggestions by you .
Best regards
Thank you so much Balesh. So glad that you liked it.
Best
Anil
Once again, Anil, your material is very well researched, with a lot of data, information and analysis.
To be honest, like many, many Indians, i too have been a skeptic but with the approach that, as an Indian, i must do whatever it takes within my limited circle of influence to help as many as i can, whenever i possibly can, and as often as i can.
Knowing your integrity and unbiased approach to reporting, i am very happy to accept this data, but with the rider that almost all nations would like to tweak information to create a much needed positive spin in today's world of almost hourly glum news.
We can all feel the change. Numbers and assessments are just a better scientific way to get convinced. One does hope that lethargy does not creep in with some good success. One also does hope that all parties subscribe to the philosophy of poverty alleviation.
As a nation, our people deserve a decently dignified existence. Its been long overdue. Thank you, India, thank you, the powers that be.
Most importantly, for a nation of our size, each of us, no matter how small or big we may be, need to inculcate the philosophy of ISR (Individual Social Responsibility) where we reach out to the ones in our vicinity and assist them in whatever ways we can. And this should not necessarily be done to get tax benefits.
No government of a complex and large country like ours can handle this on its own. We need to colletively help each other. Else the gap between the haves and the have-nots is growing.
Thank you, once again, Anil.
Dear Niranjan,
Thank you so much for your measured and detailed response. Couldn't agree with you more. And, you are absolutely right about all of us becoming stakeholders. Love the term ISR. It can includes something as simple as following rules, not littering, following hygiene and so on. There is so much that individuals can do.
India's big challenge is the haves and the have nots. Like I pointed out that it is only now that these legacy deficits are being overcome. But this is relatively low hanging fruit. For people to be taught how to fish, they need skilling, a congenial ecosystem and so on.
So while it is great that India has won a key battle--against poverty--it still has a long way to go. While we should be inspired by the success, like you point out we can't be lulled into complacence.
Look forward to your continued support Niranjan.
Best
Anil
If this is indeed a tipping point, then this is such great news. Let's hope it sustains this way and we don't fall back.
Fingers crossed Madhu. Thank you for your thoughts.
Best
Anil