Poverty

Poverty is a curse and a great evil in the life of the people of India. It has been prevailing since ancient times- the time when society has divided into four classes of people. The 'Shudras' were the people who did the menial jobs and lived from hand to room. They worked hard and served the upper-class people. These people had to struggle hard and comfort and luxuries were strange to them. The time passed and the people drifted into poverty.

There are various reasons for the presence of poverty in the society. One of the reasons is the foreign rule which was totally disinterested in the uplift and economic development of the local people. The foreign rulers exploited the natural resources of India for their benefit. The Britishers collected a huge amount of money from the big businessmen, landlords, Zamindars, and common population and carried it to England. Indian craftsmen and artisans, farmers suffered badly at the hands of the Britishers. The industries ruined. Peasants were ruined by the heavy taxes levied on them. The agricultural product suffered badly because of the shortage of means of irrigation and old implements.

The other cause that contributed to the growth of poverty was the growth of the population. The growing population increased the difficulties more and more. It caused unemployment to the highest degree. 

There were more mouths to be fed and sled but jobs were fewer. Even at present, the condition is going from bad to worse. The employment exchanges have got a large number of people registered with them but job opportunities have contracted. The spread of education has again a factor to increase unemployment and dissatisfaction amongst people. It has worsened the economic condition. Poverty has widened its mouth to swallow more people into its womb.

Poverty has affected the society in various ways. Beggary and sickness are on the increase. The sick bodies fail to work and they can't afford a good diet to regain their health and strength to work to earn a livelihood. It has resulted in hunger suffering and disease.

Crime is also a byproduct of hunger. Thefts, murders, and killings are taking place. It is all because of a shortage of work and the absence of money with those who want to strive to satisfy their demands. Poverty has brought in unsanitary conditions and ill health and strength.

Poverty is a means of discrimination in social life. The rick looks at the poor with hatred. Their attitude towards the poor is negative. A nation with a poor population can't make any progress. Such a country drifts into poverty.

Efforts, therefore, be made to search for job opportunities by exploiting natural resources and by establishing cottage industries to provide work to the unemployed.

Secondly, the population should also be controlled by raising the age of marriage, by introducing family planning, and by the use of contraceptives. Thus poverty can be removed from the life of a man to a great extent.