Poverty, in my terms, is an undeclared and explicit crime committed by the haves to the have-nots one way or the other.As per the World Bank estimates, 45.6 crores of population in India live below poverty line. This is based on the international poverty line of $1.25 of income per day.. As per the India’s planning commission estimation, which is Rs.11.87 per day for rural areas and Rs. 17.95 for urban areas, about 30 crores of the total population is under poverty line. This figure is not less still. Although the country’s economy is growing and is contributed by only by few sections of the society, its mission is not accomplished unless it ensures participation of all the people in the growth.

That is, at the minimum, contribution of 12 rupees per day can take a person out of poverty line for a day. But people spend a lot to keep themselves in the so called happiness without extracting the real meaning and real pleasure of it. As per Shakespeare’s quote “the real happiness lies in making others happy”. It is the social responsibility of every citizen to help the have-nots. While Napoleon’s dream of launching a single currency across Europe can come true after a few decades, why not our dream about eradicating poverty in India.

The growth of our country should be purposeful and meaningful, instead of going in race with other developing and developed countries as this will take us no where other than a devastating end as the US economy is facing now. We should remember JRD Tata’s words – I want India to be a happy nation, not a super power.

Let us make India a happy nation by helping the needy.