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.

Confessions

Author: Huda Al Zubaidy
Country: Oman


I used to be careless about issues that are highly important and I used to not care about what is happening to the world and I'm not saying that now I'm a true activist or an activist at all!
But if I stayed the way I was, then I would make fun of activists and those who care and I would probably say: "Why should I care? I'm too young! and I have many problems of my own"
I used to feel while viewing websites about changing the world that it's not the thing for me but for those who are actually making a difference, but then I came to the conclusion that it is a place for all people who are interested in making a difference no matter who you are, and what matters is that you care!

I admit that I may not be making the greatest change in this world, but at least I care. People sometimes forget that there are people who are unfortunate and don't have the money to have a decent life.
Some don't even know how many people who are living in terrible situations.
Knowing that you care, donating a small amount of money, smiling to someone, being optimistic or just saying your opinion and be heard and those small things will make a difference.
If people did one of those things, then we'd have hope to change this world.
We do need someone in every society to have the activist spirit in him/her and I'm sure people will join and help. I believe that we are born good, we just have to find our path in life and make it straight.
It is a sin to pretend that we're deaf or blind when we know what is happening out there, we all have ears and eyes, still some of us act like they're helpless and say that the solution is in the power of the government!
And if you cried, to make your conscience relieved and carried on with your life, it won't change a thing, you just lost few tears which won't mean a thing if you didn't at least try to do something.
It's sad to know that some people (including children), sleep and think that no one cares about them and maybe they won't lose hope, that someone cares out there in that world, but they won't know that you care unless you act and even in that small attempt, it can make some happy, so the fact that some people think that they're alone in this world, and they live situations that can't even be described, makes the toughest hearts soften a bit.

So now I'm not ashamed of caring about this, it's those people who don't care who should be ashamed of themselves.
I know a lot of people who care, and who are involved, and I just want to say that we need more people like them, because they're leading us all to a better world, so we all need to take their lead and do what is in our power.