Over 200 million Indians live on less than one dollar a day, yet many of the country’s youth are oblivious to the impact of this reality.
Determined to change this, a young software engineer, Prabhu S, today, embarked on a three week journey across India to sensitise ‘generation next’ to the critical issue of poverty and lack of access for poor families to education, jobs, health and housing.
“It is unfortunate that while rest of the world knows so much about India’s poverty levels. My generation seems to be oblivious to those living below the poverty line,” says Prabhu
For this trip that covers 17 states, Prabhu has joined hands with ActionAid to highlight the issue of poverty and struggle of communities living with it. “I learnt about ActionAid from the internet, while searching for NGO’s working with the poor. I found their national reach and rights-based approach very appealing,” added Prabhu.
During the 9,500 kilometre bike ride, Prabhu will meet HIV positive single mothers, HIV positive children, urban poor, railway kids, orphans, women who are fighting for land and livelihood.
“I am excited about interacting with the communities. This trip will allow me to be a part of the change but also inform others on how much work still needs to be done,” says Prabhu.
To see Prabhu off there were women from MILANA, a network for women living with HIV. Its project director, Joythi Kiran, spoke on the link between HIV and Poverty.
“Poverty worsens the impact of HIV. A lack of education, hygiene and ignorance lead to high-risk behaviour making poor people, especially women, vulnerable,” says Kiran.
"It is great that Prabhu is doing this. It is important that the youth take note of these issues. They will shape the country’s future," she adds.
“Poverty can only be fought by getting people their basic rights. The stories of India’s economic growth, somehow pushes the issues of hunger and poverty under the carpet” says, ActionAid’s Christy Abraham.
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