Aufaq Zargar
Poverty is a dogged fate that stains the very fabric of our society in the midst of the splendour of metropolitan and smart cities. We must act swiftly and resolutely to alleviate poverty- the awful curse that hurts a sensitive soul more than anything else . The affliction of poverty is a disease that does not respect national boundaries. It devours the lives of innumerable people and robs them of their worth, opportunities, and faith. It creates a vicious circle of hopelessness, crushing the dreams of those born into it and condemning them to a life of constant struggle. The existence of poverty in the twenty-first century, despite unprecedented prosperity and unprecedented technical marvels, is a huge tragedy . It’s a blot on our culture, proof that we haven’t done enough to help those at the bottom.
It is generally accepted now that poverty does not arise from a lack of motivation or hard work. It’s the result of a lack of political will to address the underlying causes of social injustice and economic inequality. It exposes the shortcomings of our social and economic systems that have contributed to the widening gap between the rich and the poor. Only a culture without morals can turn a blind eye to the plight of its weakest. Fighting poverty takes more than just feeling sorry for those in need and giving a little money here and there. It calls for a radical change in how we think as a society, one in which we finally accept that poverty is a symptom, not the disease itself. It requires an unyielding dedication to justice and equality, to tearing down the walls that keep this blight alive. Investment in schools, hospitals, and other social facilities is crucial in the fight against poverty. We need to make a place that encourages originality, entrepreneurship, and fairness. We need to tear down the barriers that keep people stuck in a rut and construct the pathways that lead to a life of promise and fulfilment.
Essentially education is the key to self-determination and upward mobility. The cycle of poverty can be broken and lives can be transformed through education. However, it is depressing to see the huge gaps in educational opportunity, especially for marginalized groups. This inequality must be remedied by increasing funding, enhancing educational infrastructure, and providing every child with a fair shot at success.
Healthcare equity is just as important as education. When people are poor, they often lack the resources to get the medical care they need. Lack of access to healthcare should never be the cause of someone’s suffering or death. To ensure that individuals in need have somewhere to turn, we must push for healthcare changes that make clinics, hospitals, and insurance plans more easily available.
Reduction of poverty is also greatly aided by investments in social infrastructure. If we put money into social infrastructure, we can make it such that everyone has access to the tools they need to better their lives. Measures to provide more affordable housing can help ease this burden. When people don’t have to worry about where they’ll sleep each night, they can put their energy into other areas of their lives, like getting an education or finding a job. The value of community centres and social support networks in empowering individuals and promoting social cohesion cannot be ignored. They encourage people to band together to solve local problems, acting as a catalyst for social mobilization and collective action.
In addition, people need accessible public transport to reach their desired destinations, such as schools, hospitals, and workplaces. Lack of access to reliable modes of travel can trap people in cycles of poverty by preventing them from moving to areas with better work and social opportunities. Expanding and enhancing public transport networks can help persons in low-income areas gain access to opportunities in wealthier places, breaking the cycle of poverty.
Legislative, executive and judiciary must work in coordination for eradication of poverty. Apart from that, it calls for a change in how people view those with less privilege in society. Instead of looking down on the poor, we should have compassion, understanding, and a sincere desire to help them. Stigmatizing and generalizing about the poor simply serves to widen the gap between classes and keep people in poverty. Instead, let’s work to create a society that values compassion and unity, understanding that ending poverty is good for everyone.
In addition, the business community and the private sector play an important part in fighting poverty. Companies may do more than just focus on making a profit by taking on social responsibility and aiding in the fight against poverty. Fair and ethical hiring policies, funding for community development programmes, and measures bolstering small enterprises and entrepreneurship in low-income communities are all examples of this. We can unlock a gamut of possibilities and turn areas of poverty into vibrant economic hubs by channelling the power of business to produce great social impact.
It’s crucial that everyone from governments to nonprofits to businesses to individuals work together to end poverty. Extreme poverty does not discriminate based on nationality or ideology. It strikes people of all ages, all sexes, and all walks of life. We should keep in mind that poverty is not an insurmountable issue. This idea was created by humans and is maintained by political and economic structures that can be altered. We can end poverty and build a society based on fairness, compassion, and opportunity for everyone by tackling structural inequities, fighting for legislative changes, and empowering individuals.
We have a responsibility to help those who are less fortunate. Let us not forget that the true mark of a civilised society is not the grandeur of its structures or the wealth of its elites, but rather the extent to which it elevates and supports its most disadvantaged citizens. It is our responsibility to make poverty a thing of the past and usher in an era in which all residents can thrive and add to its progress.The cycle of poverty can be stopped, but only if we work together to destroy its pillars. Let us join forces and work side by side to make poverty a thing of the past in the world we live in today.
(The author is Assistant Professor AAA Memorial Degree College , Bemina)
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