In India a common myth has been prevalent for many years and it is now deep rooted in the minds of not only less educated but also some highly educated. This myth is if the rich is getting richer the poor must have been poorer. Otherwise how can rich become richer? It must have been by robbing the poor. Several articles, posts etc appear denigrating the business tycoons or even rich people. True that there is dishonesty among rich or some people might have got ill wealth by dubious means.
But that’s true in every field or in every profession. We can’t believe that rich may be richer and at the same time poor can become less poor. The vote hungry politicians and certain sections of the left and jealous non achievers have instilled in the minds of people such perverse mindset. That is why those who shed crocodile tears for poor every time before election win and after winning does precious little for the poor. The poor just swallow their rhetoric that implies that had not their liking. Some among the leftists stand is that we do not mind poverty to be more acute but we will not allow rich to gain more.
In the world today there are countries which have made spectacular achievement in not only alleviating poverty but elevating standard of life to very high. Take for example South Korea. This is a country equal to our Gujarat with more or less same population. The country got freedom after India and unlike India was devastated by World War II. It did not follow socialist path and encouraged investment by all means. Today, it is the manufacturing core for car textile steel and what not. Its passport is 2nd most powerful in the world and its citizens enjoy visa-free entry in as many as 144 countries. The same is the case of Singapore. Cliché rhetoric and jealousy towards the rich will not lead us to anywhere and the vicious cycle of poverty will never end.
Following socialist in governance has failed everywhere. Jawaharlal Nehru chose a middle pathway i.e. mixed economy but failed to reap benefits as successive government ruled with appeasement and exploiting the poor. Result is a small section of poor remained in same state or even hone below and rich becoming rich. We are lagging behind other developing countries behind by 20 years and that makes all the difference. When somebody takes interest in making it move at a faster pace we criticise the developmental lead taken and show negative approach.
Despite our hopes and aspirations growing up to become a developed country majority of the people are living below poverty line and it is not a good news. A World Bank report has put India on a poor show and we are not longing to get such a poor standard of living. We feel disgusted by seeing the position of the poor as they wait all day to get one time food, whereas food is being wasted from the other side. The position is not improving much.
The number of persons living in India in extreme poverty is increasing day by day and there is no stopping. Instead of showing our people in poor light we should have an action plan to help out them to bail out of poverty line, provide them good food and hygienic condition to make their lives meaningful in the coming years instead of just pushing the rich to become richer all the time. This is my clarion call.
(The views expressed by the author in the article are his/her own.)
