Web of poverty

There is no magic formula for eradication of poverty. But we have the Gandhian talisman 'Relevance to the last man', which can be used to ensure that we are moving in the right direction and that we succeed in cutting the web of poverty. This web is insidious. Or else, how do we explain the paradox of persis tence of abject poverty and emergence of phenomenal affluence at the same time notwithstanding a commendable record of development after independence and our commitment to the establishment of an egalitarian social order. The articulate may have their explanations for this, which may be weighty and wise. But the perception of the common man is simple and clear. It is beautifully summed up by the Bhattra belle: Ramachandro Phoolbari Re.... Danda Mall Re.... (Hai, in this garden of God, stick is the lord).

The world of the poor is a simple one and an organic whole. It does not admit subtle distinctions of the formal systems such as social, economic and political. Accordingly, in this presentation we have not adopted any of the con ventional frames and avoided the associated value-laden concepts and terms. Instead we move on with the last man and trace the visible events to their roots in the system and try to identify the motive-power behind them. It is an irony that deprivation should be a product of development and a large section of popu lation should face its severe backlash. The micro-world of the common man is equally complex with inequitous economic relationships, deep-rooted social prejudices, mystical operations of a partisan administration and visisitudes of even democratic processes. The vested interests are ubiquitous which operate openly and also under the garb of rationality, modernity and radicalism.

Any presentation of the national scene from the perspective of the deprived is bound to be one-sided and gloomy since the reality of his life is adversity personified, for which he would like an explanation. It is not my intention to ignore or undermine the achievements. But, in the glare of commendable achieve ments, the contradictions have sharpened and the probe has to be deeper, relent less and ruthless.