Latest news with #Spring2025PovertyandEquityBrief
Hans India
27-07-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
Challenges galore as India eyes developed nation status by 2047
In the past, India struggled a lot to cope with social conflicts, unrest and distrust among various sections of people, and paid a heavy price for institutionalizing economic and income inequalities, caste and religion based discrimination. One may agree or disagree, we continue to pursue the policy of divide, deprive and rule with a very fragile affirmative landscape even after so many decades of Independence. Therefore, I was not surprised at all when religious story-tellers of a particular caste were put to the kind of abominable treatment in Etawah in Uttar Pradesh, which drew global dismay, anger, anguish and agony. The incident took place sometime in June 2025 and was debated and discussed for long nationally. Unfortunately, such identical incidents are reported from across the country every now and then, but without raising an eyebrow among those who matter the most in our socio-economic and political framework. None of us can vouch for the fact that such heinous and inhuman incidents won't be reported any more, but must be curtailed effectively if we are really interested in realizing the goal of inclusive Viksit Bharat by 2047. India was never a strong nation when discrimination on the pretext of caste and religion was rampant. India was a powerful country so long as we were living in a well-knit inclusive society. Foreign invaders looted us, not because we were weak, but we were a fragmented society with multiple boundaries and demarcations drawn with the foul colour of caste, religion and ethnic considerations. Britishers capitalized on that as well and enslaved us for nearly two hundreds of years. I would not like to get into the debate of good or bad done by the Britishers to us, but will certainly reiterate the fact that they ruled over us for such a long time with the help of the people of this great country only. I would have been on cloud nine had I found the assertion of the World Bank that India's Gini Index-2025 stands at 25.5, placing our country as the fourth most equal country globally, behind only the Slovak Republic, Slovenia, and Belarus, in sync with the ground realities. Similarly, the World Bank's Spring 2025 Poverty and Equity Brief revealed that 171 million Indians were lifted out of extreme poverty between 2011 and 2023. The share of the population living on less than $2.15 per day, a standard measure for extreme poverty, has plunged from 16.2 per cent in 2011-12 to just 2.3 per cent in 2022-23. Under the World Bank's revised extreme poverty line of $3.00 per day, the rate for 2022-23 stands at a modest 5.3 per cent. Can someone tell us what kind of facilities a household of four members can have even if they earn $5 per day in Tier-II or Tier-III cities? It will be extremely difficult for them to meet even their basic needs. In recent decades, India has witnessed a surge in developmental initiatives, ranging from digital transformation to infrastructure expansion, skill development missions, and economic reforms. Government programmes like Digital India, Startup India, Skill India, and flagship schemes like Ayushman Bharat or PM AwasYojana reflect an ambition to uplift the nation and empower its citizens. However, the million-dollar question remains: What grand purpose will these initiatives ultimately serve if a significant section of the population continues to be systematically deprived of their rightful share in the country's resources, opportunities, privileges, and responsibilities? No doubt, India is a vibrant and complex democracy, home to immense cultural, linguistic, caste, and religious diversity. Yet, this diversity often masks deep-rooted structural inequalities. Large segments of the population, especially those from Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), Other Backward Classes (OBC), and religious minorities, remain underrepresented in key sectors like education, employment, and policymaking. The gap between aspiration and access remains stark. Despite constitutional guarantees and decades of affirmative action, socio-economic mobility for many remains limited. For instance, while urban centres flourish with digital and financial services, many rural and tribal communities still lack reliable access to electricity, clean water, quality healthcare, and education. Similarly, while metropolitan cities speak of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, countless young Indians in small towns and villages are yet to receive foundational skills or job opportunities. Moreover, the issue is not merely one of access but also of recognition and participation. True nation-building requires equitable participation in decision-making processes and sharing of both responsibilities and benefits of growth. When significant populations are systemically sidelined through structural bias, caste-based exclusion, or regional neglect, the very legitimacy of these national initiatives comes under scrutiny. Unless the benefits of growth are equitably distributed, and unless every citizen feels a sense of belonging and ownership in the nation's progress, even the grandest policy visions risk becoming hollow symbols. In essence, for any initiative to have real transformative impact in India, it must be rooted in social justice, ensure proportional representation, and consciously bridge historic gaps so that all Indians, regardless of their background, have a fair share in the republic's promises and potential. We must pause and reflect deeply: Why, despite having the world's finest Constitution, a visionary document crafted under the leadership of Bharat RatnaDr BR Ambedkar, are we still struggling to address the socio-economic and political nightmares faced by millions of our own people? The Constitution promises justice, equality, liberty, and fraternity. Yet, large sections of society continue to grapple with poverty, unemployment, caste and gender discrimination, and political marginalization. This disconnect is not due to any flaw in the Constitution itself, but in our collective failure to implement its spirit with honesty and inclusivity. The rising social unrest, distrust in institutions, and frequent communal and caste-based tensions point to deeper systemic issues that remain unaddressed. By engaging in honest introspection and public discourse, we can uncover where we are going wrong, whether in policymaking, governance, or social behaviour. Such enlightenment is essential if we are to heal the fractures in our society. It will help us move towards reconciliation, bridge divides, and truly realize the vision of an inclusive, harmonious, and Viksit Bharat, a developed India where no citizen is left behind. The dream is not distant. It demands courage, integrity, and unity of purpose.
India Gazette
05-07-2025
- Business
- India Gazette
India ranks among top world's most equal societies: World Bank report
New Delhi [India], July 5 (ANI): India has emerged as one of the most equal societies globally, with a Gini Index of 25.5, according to the latest data from the World Bank. Ranking fourth worldwide in income equality, India now stands just behind the Slovak Republic, Slovenia, and Belarus. 'It reflects how India's economic progress is being shared more evenly across its population. Behind this success is a consistent policy focus on reducing poverty, expanding financial access, and delivering welfare support directly to those who need it most,' a release from the Social Welfare said. The Gini Index, a key measure of income distribution where 0 represents perfect equality and 100 denotes maximum inequality, places India ahead of advanced economies, including China (35.7), the United States (41.8), and all G7 and G20 countries. India's score has improved from 28.8 in 2011, reflecting steady progress in equitable growth. The country's strong performance in reducing poverty has played a central role in achieving greater equality. The World Bank's Spring 2025 Poverty and Equity Brief reports that 171 million Indians were lifted out of extreme poverty between 2011 and 2023. The poverty rate fell sharply from 16.2 per cent to just 2.3 per cent during this period, based on the USD 2.15 per day global poverty threshold. The release also highlights upon, government initiatives have underpinned this transformation. Flagship programs like PM Jan Dhan Yojana have expanded financial inclusion, with over 55 crore bank accounts. Aadhaar, India's digital ID system, now covers more than 142 crore individuals, streamlining welfare delivery through Direct Benefit Transfers, which saved Rs 3.48 lakh crore by March 2023. Healthcare equity has also improved through Ayushman Bharat, which provides Rs 5 lakh health coverage to families and has issued over 41 crore cards. The Stand-Up India scheme supports SC/ST and women entrepreneurs, while the PM Vishwakarma Yojana backs artisans with loans and training. PMGKAY, India's food security scheme, has benefited over 80 crore citizens, it added. (ANI)
Mint
05-07-2025
- Business
- Mint
India ranks among top world's most equal societies, says World Bank report: What does it mean?
New Delhi [India], July 5 (ANI): India has emerged as one of the most equal societies globally, with a Gini Index of 25.5, according to the latest data from the World Bank. Ranking fourth worldwide in income equality, India now stands just behind the Slovak Republic, Slovenia, and Belarus. "It reflects how India's economic progress is being shared more evenly across its population. Behind this success is a consistent policy focus on reducing poverty, expanding financial access, and delivering welfare support directly to those who need it most," a release from the Social Welfare said. The Gini Index, a key measure of income distribution where 0 represents perfect equality and 100 denotes maximum inequality, places India ahead of advanced economies, including China (35.7), the United States (41.8), and all G7 and G20 countries. India's score has improved from 28.8 in 2011, reflecting steady progress in equitable growth. The country's strong performance in reducing poverty has played a central role in achieving greater equality. The World Bank's Spring 2025 Poverty and Equity Brief reports that 171 million Indians were lifted out of extreme poverty between 2011 and 2023. The poverty rate fell sharply from 16.2 per cent to just 2.3 per cent during this period, based on the USD 2.15 per day global poverty threshold. The release also highlights upon, government initiatives have underpinned this transformation. Flagship programs like PM Jan Dhan Yojana have expanded financial inclusion, with over 55 crore bank accounts. Aadhaar, India's digital ID system, now covers more than 142 crore individuals, streamlining welfare delivery through Direct Benefit Transfers, which saved ₹ 3.48 lakh crore by March 2023. Healthcare equity has also improved through Ayushman Bharat, which provides ₹ 5 lakh health coverage to families and has issued over 41 crore cards. The Stand-Up India scheme supports SC/ST and women entrepreneurs, while the PM Vishwakarma Yojana backs artisans with loans and training. PMGKAY, India's food security scheme, has benefited over 80 crore citizens, it added. (ANI)
Hans India
23-06-2025
- Business
- Hans India
PM Modi to open centenary celebration of Sree Narayana Guru, Mahatma Gandhi talks
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will on Tuesday inaugurate the centenary celebration of the historic conversation between two of India's greatest spiritual and moral leaders Sree Narayana Guru and Mahatma Gandhi on poverty alleviation and social justice, among others. In an event at Vigyan Bhawan, PM Modi is also likely to share his thoughts on issues ranging from upliftment of the downtrodden to unity. The historic conversation between Sree Narayana Guru and Mahatma Gandhi took place at Sivagiri Mutt on March 12,1925 during the latter's visit and centred around Vaikom Satyagraha, religious conversions, non-violence, abolition of untouchability, attainment of salvation and poverty. Organised by Sree Narayana Dharma Sanghom Trust, the celebration will bring together spiritual leaders and other members to reflect upon and commemorate the visionary dialogue that continues to shape India's social and moral fabric. 'It stands as a powerful tribute to the shared vision of social justice, unity, and spiritual harmony championed by both Sree Narayana Guru and Mahatma Gandhi,' said an official statement. PM Modi has paid special attention to poverty alleviation during his decade-long stint. In one of the key achievements of the past decade, India lifted 171 million people out of extreme poverty. The World Bank acknowledged India's decisive fight against poverty in its Spring 2025 Poverty and Equity Brief. According to the report, the proportion of people living on less than $2.5 a day, which is the international benchmark for extreme poverty, fell sharply from 16.2 per cent in 2011-12 to just 2.3 per cent in 2022-23. Officials said that this achievement is a testament to the government's commitment to inclusive development, focusing on both rural and urban areas. Through targeted welfare schemes, economic reforms, and increased access to essential services, India has made substantial strides in reducing poverty levels. The World Bank's Spring 2025 Poverty and Equity Brief highlights how these efforts have significantly impacted the lives of millions, narrowing the poverty gap across the country.
Time of India
17-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Bihar among select states in poverty reduction: Minister
Patna: Bihar is among the select states that have contributed significantly to the national decline in poverty, water resources development (WRD) minister Vijay Kumar Choudhary said on Tuesday. Speaking to the reporters at the JD(U) office, Choudhary referred to the recently released World Bank report as proof of the public welfare policies pursued by the NDA govts at both the Centre and the state under the leadership of PM Narendra Modi and CM Nitish Kumar. "The economic condition of the poor has improved a lot due to the far-sighted policies of the government," the minister said. In its 'Spring 2025 Poverty and Equity Brief', the World Bank acknowledged India's decisive efforts in combating poverty over the past decade, lifting 171 million people out of extreme poverty. The report said that the proportion of people living on less than US$2.15 per day – the international benchmark for extreme poverty – declined steeply from 16.2% in 2011-12 to just 2.3% in 2022-23. Further, according to the NITI Aayog's Multidimensional Poverty Index (2023), Bihar's poverty rate fell from 51.91% in 2015-16 to 33.76% in 2021-22. The report also stated that while Uttar Pradesh recorded the largest decline with 5.94 crore people escaping multidimensional poverty over the past nine years, Bihar followed with 3.77 crore people coming out of poverty since 2005-06. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch vàng CFDs với mức chênh lệch giá thấp nhất IC Markets Đăng ký Undo Taking a swipe at the RJD, Choudhary said "nothing could be more ridiculous than the party led by Lalu Prasad talking about dynasty politics in the state." "The development of Bihar is being discussed not only across the country but also on global platforms, yet the opposition fails to recognise this progress. This reflects their narrow mindset," he added. Food and consumer protection Minister Leshi Singh also criticised the opposition. "They do not have any real issues, so they are resorting to baseless allegations. But the aware people of Bihar will foil their every move," she said. Minority welfare minister Jama Khan said the positive impact of CM Nitish Kumar's initiatives for the welfare and upliftment of minority communities is clearly visible on the ground. "At the same time, the role of the opposition is now limited to spreading lies and confusion, which the public has understood well," he said.
