BPL: Below Poverty Line
As per the Government of India, poverty line for the urban areas is Rs. 296 per month and for rural areas Rs. 276 per month, i.e. people in India who earn less than Rs. 10 per day. As per GOI, this amount will buy food equivalent to 2200 calories per day, medically enough, to prevent death.
Almost 30% of India's population classifies as BPL as per the above definitions. Link...
On what basis have our planners decided this definition of "Poverty Line"? Does it mean that the person will get enough food to stay alive? How and where is he or she supposed to cook it? What about the minimum needs in education, housing, health services, clothing,and other basic necessities? Are we supposed to live on pavements and sleep under trees from birth till death? YOU BE THE JUDGE!
Take this:
For a person in India, Morning tea and evening tea is a daily routine. Considering tea costs Rs 2 per cup, and that it gives only 22 cal of energy, a normal man is left with Rs 6 to fulfil his 2156 Cal of requirements. Only a magic pill can do it for him now!!!
Another really bizarre trivia:
The time taken for me to write this entry (research and typing) during my office hours translates to an amount which is more than monthly requirements to be above poverty line for a person living in urban area. I don't know how should I feel about it.
* There are 36 Indians in Forbes's billionaire list. Link...
Interestingly the World Bank's definition of the poverty line, for under developed countries, like India, is US$ 1/day/person or US $365 per year. As per this definition, more than 75% of all Indians are, probably, below the poverty line!
Reinventing myself, once again
3 years ago
5 comments:
It is little sad. Rupee 10 looks very less. But I dont think that we can blame the ambani and mittal's for amassing the wealth, i guess they were smart and hardworking enough to do it. I would agree that they have obligation, but how many of use to fulfill our obligations.
it looked like that u r really angry after finding the figures.. these are the hard truths.. nice to bring this in to our notice.
This is the truth. And you know what you can do not much about it at least at this stage. If you can however, do something about the ones who are not even aware these things exist. Thats the best you can do about it.
It reminds me of a situation told by Dr. Tushar shah. "Ek factory ke paas ek golf club banaya jata hai. taaki subah subah factory me kaam karne waale bachche bado ko khelte hue dekh saken." So sad.
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