Odisha Samachar Odisha Breaking News , Odisha Current News , Odisha News
Related Articles
Poverty—a word that seems simple but carries a weight that is both terrifying and profound. It is a social evil that has ensnared humanity, not just on an individual level but across societies, nations, and even the world at large. Calling poverty a curse is no exaggeration, for it permeates every aspect of a person’s existence. It strips away health, deprives education, diminishes social standing, and erodes a person’s self-esteem, leaving them in a perpetual state of struggle.
Yet, poverty is more than just a lack of financial resources—it is also a state of mind, an ideology. Among the millions affected by poverty today, many are physically and mentally capable of rising above their circumstances, but choose not to. Is this a reflection of poverty itself, or a deception—one that convinces people to remain trapped in their current state, unwilling to seek a way out? This raises an uncomfortable but necessary question, when poverty becomes a way of thinking, when it is no longer just about what one lacks but about what one refuses to change, are we battling poverty or something far more insidious? True progress can only be made when we address not just the material deprivation of poverty but also the mindset that perpetuates it.
Since independence, the governments in our country have implemented countless schemes aimed at poverty alleviation. From providing free houses and food grains to distributing money through various programs, and offering low-interest loans to help people below the poverty line become self-reliant—every ruling party has made efforts to combat poverty in its own way. Yet, despite 78 years of independence and numerous initiatives, we have not been able to eradicate poverty. According to official figures, even today, around 37 percent of the population still lives below the poverty line.
This begs an important question: after decades of efforts, why does such a significant portion of the country remain impoverished? How is it that India, the fifth-largest economy in the world, is still grappling with this persistent issue?
The answer isn’t simple. It invites us to question whether we have been treating the symptoms rather than addressing the root causes of poverty. Have we, in our efforts, been more focused on short-term relief rather than long-term empowerment? Free houses and subsidies may offer temporary relief, but do they equip individuals with the tools they need to permanently break free from poverty?
Moreover, poverty is not just about financial deprivation; it is deeply intertwined with issues like education, access to healthcare, and social mobility. As we examine the gap between India’s economic growth and its persistent poverty, we must ask ourselves whether our policies have truly empowered people to lift themselves out of poverty or whether they have created a dependency that perpetuates the very problem they seek to solve.
Overcoming poverty requires far more than just financial assistance or government aid. It demands a shift in mindset. When individuals receive free food, housing, and financial support from the government, the question arises: why would they feel the need to escape that situation? Unfortunately, a segment of the poor in our country seems to have adopted this very mentality. This is one of the reasons why, despite countless efforts, we have yet to truly break free from the grip of poverty.
Take the example of the government’s housing schemes, aimed at eliminating urban slums by providing permanent homes to improve the standard of living for slum dwellers. What happened in many cases? The beneficiaries rented out the homes they received and built new huts for themselves, effectively keeping the status quo unchanged. The problem wasn’t just the provision of housing—it was the mindset that led to the misuse of these opportunities.
Similarly, the government has invested in education, believing that it is the key to lifting future generations out of poverty. Yet, within this section of society, there remains a profound lack of awareness and interest in education. The motivation to become self-reliant, to seek growth and advancement, is often missing.
What we are witnessing is sheer deceit, where free materials have turned into a crutch, creating dependency rather than inspiring self-reliance. People are becoming accustomed to handouts, relying on external help instead of making an effort to change their circumstances. But ask yourself—can’t a person do anything if they truly want to? If we are willing to work hard, is poverty truly undefeatable?
We have countless examples of individuals who have risen from the depths of poverty to achieve greatness. Look at former President Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam or our current Prime Minister Narendra Modi—both spent their childhoods in extreme poverty, yet through perseverance and a positive mindset, they not only overcame their challenges but brought immense pride to the country. Being born poor may be beyond one’s control, but choosing to remain in poverty throughout life is an act of self-deception.
Blaming poverty for inaction or using it as an excuse to avoid improving one’s own standards is not just disheartening—it reflects a lack of personal responsibility. It is easy to blame the government, destiny, or circumstance, but at some point, we must confront the truth: a person’s choices, their drive, and their willingness to seize opportunities play a pivotal role in shaping their future.
To truly defeat poverty, we must begin by transforming this mindset. No number of government schemes will make a difference unless there is a shift in thinking. The tendency to depend on handouts, to expect help without effort, must be curbed. The government must also take a hard look at its freebie culture—are these schemes genuinely lifting people out of poverty, or are they promoting a cycle of deceit?
Ultimately, unless we address this mentality and encourage self-reliance, it will be difficult to make lasting progress in the fight against poverty. True success lies in empowering individuals to break free from dependency, take control of their destiny, and work toward a better future.
