Relative Poverty Is A Form Of Social Exclusion

Relative Poverty Is A Form Of Social Exclusion

( By Mehak Datta )

“Poverty often deprives a man of all spirit and virtue, it is hard for an empty bag to stand upright”

Poverty has been made the disease more than an important issue in India. We think if a person is poor than he must not be included in social gatherings where all the privileged are present. Relative poverty often differs from absolute poverty as in relative poverty the person can afford the necessities (food, shelter) which are required to meet the average standard of living in the society. But why don’t we accept them? Why we think them to be aliens or untouchables just because they cannot go out to eat or multiplex to watch movies. Is going to malls or eating at expensive places can decide whether or not people will be respected in social surroundings?

Why money is being the criterion to discriminate against anyone? Why can't we give the same respect to a taxi driver which we give to the car owner whereas he is just sitting and earning, the driver is hardworking to earn and feed his family? A person working as a watchman in a building has to give respect to the people who are half the age just because they are sitting in the AC rooms with all the facilities and the watchman has a smaller house and maybe 4-digit salary? We are in the 21st century where a piece of paper decides who will get respect in society despite all the hard work done.

What is social exclusion? It refers not only to poverty and low-income levels but also to the consequences. Also, the government has defined it as “what does happen when”, people suffer from a combination of linked problems such as unemployment, low-income, high crime, and bad health.

In India, it has its own form on the basis of caste, religion, and disabilities as well. They face discrimination in gaining access to these resources. For example, there may be a clean water pump in a village but those who are socially excluded may not be allowed access to it.

The maids who do our daily chores (washing dishes and cleaning) are treated like untouchables or the person who comes to pick our garbage is made to have a different utensil to drink water or eat something. Instead, we should respect them that they are doing a lot for our environment. We cannot accept the fact that a peon’s child is studying under the same roof where the principal's child is. Why? Who are we to stop him? His father is paying the fees and making him study so that he should not face the same discrimination that his father is facing.

Poverty is never a choice for anyone but we have to behave respectfully to the people who do these odd jobs for us. No disparity should be done with them just because they aren't privileged enough that does not mean they need to be excluded. The denial of resources, rights, and services just because of the inability to participate in normal activities. It affects the quality of life. Just because they cannot access things that a normal population could do not make them less human or does not allows us to deny them socializing.

Many NGOs are working towards the betterment of the society and making them understand the value of each and every individual despite of the situations they are in or the caste they belong to. PACS INDIA is such an organization that has come forward to join hands with 225 civil organizations in 7 states with 90 districts and helping 9.62 million socially excluded people from 22,404 villages to regain their rights and entitlements.

“POVERTY IS LIKE PUNISHMENT FOR A CRIME YOU DIDN’T COMMIT”

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The opinions expressed in this article are the personal opinions of the author. The facts and opinions appearing in the article do not reflect the views of Light de Literacy and LDL does not assume any responsibility or liability for the same.