Poverty

Winters in many parts of India can be very harsh, especially for villagers and the urban poor who don’t have access to woolen clothing or cover. A campaign hopes to offer solutions for this annual problem.

Community meal centres like Amma's canteen, Jan Aahar centres and Annapurna Rasois offer wholesome meals to the hungry at a reasonably low price. With food security for the poor becoming a big issue in India, it is time we rekindle the spirit of sharing and address the issue of chronic hunger through community kitchens.

Urban planner MS Raghavendra outlines a holistic approach to urban planning and development to ensure ‘housing for all.’

Pallium India offers palliative care services free of cost to the needy, giving thousands a better quality of life – and death.

Life for the homeless is no less than a challenge every day. Especially for women. Here is how government schemes can help them live a better life.

Jaco Swanepoel came to India over a year ago. Since then, he has been finding ways to help slum dwellers and poverty stricken people and to bring smiles on their faces. He shares with us his experiences of working with the poorest of the poor in India and the transformation he sees all around him.

In March-April 2013, Maharashtra suffered from what was probably the worst drought in 40 years. The people were once again at the receiving end of the wrath of Nature, as it took a heavy toll on the lives of the people on the parched lands. It also led to the formation of a youth organization dedicated to helping the victims and finding long-term solutions. This is what began as the Maharashtra Drought Relief Project, and is now called Yuva Foundation.

When one lives in the city and enjoys excellent health care at one’s beck and call, it is difficult to appreciate the hardships suffered by the poor in remote locations of India. SEWA Rural is an organization that aims at improving the lives of these very deprived people. From healthcare to vocational training, they have been providing holistic development to the needy in Gujarat for 33 years now, and even today, they continue to serve the poor with utmost enthusiasm.

The Bagariyas of Rajasthan are one of the poorest and least literate tribes in India. While they are barely eking out an existence, their children don't go to school, they have no electricity, or in fact, any facilities that make life easier. Most developmental schemes seem to have bypassed them. But we see here, how a little money and a lot of initiative, can have a large impact on people's lives.

India is a country that lays claims to a third of the world's poor. When faced with such widespread poverty, it is imperative that we try to understand the poor and their motivations. In their fascinating book titled 'Poor Economics', Abhijit V. Banerjee and Esther Duflo try do just this, and present startling facts and inferences from their many experiments, to think of innovative ways to end poverty. We give our readers a chance to win a copy!