Unravelling the gap between the rich and poor

India has one of the widest spectrums of wealth among its people in the world. In a country that is rich in culture and tradition, economic inequality is a huge hindrance to unlocking the potential that the citizens of India possess. Income inequality is a growing concern in India, with the richest 1% of the population holding more than 50% of the country's wealth. Approximately 15% of India's population is considered to be in a state of multidimensional poverty.

There are important social and economic ramifications to this growing wealth disparity that needs to be addressed and rectified. 

The unequal distribution of resources and wealth is one of the primary reasons for income inequality in India. Due to the nation's long history of colonization and the caste system, there is still a system of privilege and prejudice in place. There is a cycle of inequality running rampant throughout India, a cycle that can only be broken with the collaborative efforts of all people, to build a society where everyone can live a life of comfort and peace with enough resources to not just survive, but live.

Another one of the main reasons for the huge gap between the rich and poor is the lack of access to education for all. There is limited access to education in some communities and regions across India which inhibits the growth of its people. Education is the precipice of success of a person - without education for all people, this gap between the rich and poor will just get wider and wider. 

Gender inequality is a huge factor in widening the income gap. Numerous factors, such as the wage gap, lack of access to education and training, job discrimination, and lack of financial resources and support are causes for this. People may disagree saying that gender inequality does not exist but the inescapable truth is that it does and it is prevalent in communities not only in India but across the world.

To address this income inequality, we have to start by taking a hard look at ourselves. Blaming the system or the government for this glaring problem is not enough. It is a fact that our politicians and policymakers have to do more to reduce this gap but we have to help by advocating and raising awareness for these issues, promoting gender equality, and giving back to society to help the growth of the people at the bottom of this unbalanced inequality spectrum.

The responsibility India shoulders to tackle this issue is by enacting laws that advance income equality. This entails giving underprivileged areas more access to jobs and education, creating progressive tax laws, and decreasing the gender inequality gap. Furthermore, it is imperative to employ education and awareness campaigns to tackle the root causes of inequality.

Unraveling the gap between the rich and the poor will require an effort from all of us. I truly believe that fighting for income equality is a worthwhile goal and it will mark a new era of prosperity in India.

By: Joshua Monteiro