Why is it that despite so many schemes Indians are still poor and starving? What can we do to free India from the clutches of poverty?
Defectors from North Korea have always mentioned about the poverty and hunger which is prevalent in the country. North Koreans have a staple dish called ‘Injogogi’ which is artificial meat made from rice, leftover soybean paste and oil. Women often resort to plucking weeds from the roadside to add in their food preparation. Hunger is a way of life in North Korea. Hence, I was extremely disturbed when I learnt that India ranks behind North Korea on the Global Hunger Index.
India ranked 100 out of 119 countries on the Global Hunger Index, ranking behind a hunger-trodden North Korea, war-torn Iraq, and Bangladesh. About 1 in 4 Indians do not get enough food to support a healthy life. Millions of Indians go to sleep hungry every night – a fact hard to fathom. Nearly 40 per cent of children in India are undernourished. Meanwhile, about 62,000 tonnes of food grains were wasted by the Food Corporation of India between 2011-12 & 2016-17.
People are hungry because they cannot afford food. India is a rich country, but Indians are poor. Even after 70 years of Independence, over 30 crore Indians live in extreme poverty. The median Indian household has a monthly income of about 10,000. 60 crore middle-class Indians live on just ₹130 – ₹650 per day.
In per capita GDP rankings by the International Monetary Fund, India stands at 126 out of 200 countries.
South Korea was formed around the same time as India and today it’s a developed and prosperous nation. In India, despite several schemes and subsidies, we are poor. Don’t Indians deserve the same prosperity?
How can Indians be prosperous?
Every party that ruled us over the 70 years has failed to bring prosperity to us. However, India is one of the richest countries in terms of mineral wealth and other natural endowments. Sadly, the governments, throughout the years, have misused and abused this wealth that belongs to Indians.
It is time for us to demand our rightful share back. It is time we demand Dhan Vapasi. All the public wealth of India, barring strategic wealth related to India’s security is at least worth ₹1340 lakh crore. This amount is enough to provide each Indian family ₹1 lakh per year for 50 years.
This will help make India prosperous again and make sure every Indian has money for basic needs like food, housing, and sanitation.
