Poverty

Author: Joshua Dinakar
Country: India


“Money is root of all evils”. If you agree with this proverb then you also have to agree with George Bernard Shaw who said that “Lack of money is root of all the evils.”
Poverty is the main contributor of all sorts of evils like crime, prostitution, hunger, etc. But where does poverty come from? Who is responsible for poverty? Is there an invisible poverty factory?

Answering these questions would be very difficult and complex. Some were born in poverty, many live with it and die with it….Some like the rich don't know what is poverty and middle class are equidistant to poverty line but they keep on struggling to maintain balance between rich and poor. Some think it is their fate to born Poor. Some think poverty is a curse on them. There many factors which lead to poverty. Blaming government for failure of implementing plans would be one of the factors. People are always blaming their circumstances or others (government) for their poverty. Let’s leave the job of debating Economists and concentrate on what we can do to eradicate poverty. Not as country or government…But, as individual how can we eradicate poverty?

If you think that the world has the wealth and means to end poverty. It is surprising to know that the three richest men in the world are wealthier than the 48 poorest countries combined. Suppose if these three richest men would distribute their wealth to poor countries things would be different.
My question is that why do we always have to think that rich people has to help the poor? Why can’t we? Instead of pointing others or shrugging our shoulders we need to change. There should be change in our attitude and our thinking. The only person you can really correct and change is yourself and not others.

Just think once, how many times we might have ignored poor when have enough money in our pocket to help them? My question is why we don’t feel that it’s our responsibility to help and uplift the poor. But, instead we think it is others duty / job. We need to have heart for poor and help them personally. We can be held responsible for creating yet another criminal if we wait for the government or others to help the poor, rather we need to go in forefront and help the poor.

Poverty cannot be eradicated if we close our fists with an unwillin heart to help. Rather we need to open our hearts to receive the poor and help them handfully. It doesn’t matter how much money you have to help the poor. But, what matters is your heart and willingness to help, though you may have a little more than them. Your help may not be counted as great philanthropist but it can bring some change in lives of poor.
"Don't wait. The time will never be just right." There is nothing like right time or people to help, what matters the most is your sensitivity towards the poor. In poverty many people die physically and spiritually. And if you are insensitive to the poor there is even greater disease than leprosy in you. So, be first to help the poor and don’t wait for anybody. You can eradicate poverty not fully but to an extent. And if everybody join their hands helping poor individually there will be no poverty and no crimes / evils. I can mark that day as “great day” on News papers when there would be nothing listed on crimes, thefts, rapes, murders, kidnaps, wars. We can look forward to that day when there is end to poverty.
If poverty is root of all evils then let’s put an end to poverty which is source of all evils. With an end to poverty we can experience heaven on earth and divine peace.