Bengaluru: India’s technological hub, Bengaluru, has a long history of development and innovation in the field of technology. But despite the City’s impressive economic development, poverty remains a major issue. Bengaluru must work towards the Sustainable Development Goal -1 of the United Nations, which is to end poverty in all forms and be truly sustainable and inclusive.
8.39% of City residents, as determined by the census, struggle to meet their basic needs for things like food, shelter, and medical attention. In Bengaluru, several interconnected factors, such as a dearth of options for affordable housing, employment, and education, contribute to poverty.
“I don’t work due to my health condition, but being in a government job, I require a pension from the government to fill my stomach, Since I only receive a pension every three to four months, it can be very challenging to get payments promptly,” said Sangeetha, a resident of Devara Jeevanahalli in Bengaluru, with an estimated 100,000 people who struggle with poverty.
One of Bengaluru’s primary causes of poverty is the lack of affordable housing. As a result of rising real estate prices, low-income families are forced to live in slums and informal settlements where they lack access to essential services like sanitization and clean water. Their physical and mental health are directly impacted, which perpetuates the cycle of poverty. Bengaluru is one of the numerous cities worldwide where poverty endures despite advancements in the economy and government initiatives to eradicate it. Government, private businesses, and non-governmental organisations must work together to ensure that everyone has access to necessities and can live in dignity and prosperity.
The scarcity of employment and educational opportunities is a significant contributor to Bengaluru’s poverty.
Children from low-income families frequently drop out of school, limiting their opportunities in the future, due to their inability to pay for tuition and school supplies. Adults from low-income families experience the same difficulties finding decent jobs as children, and they are frequently forced to accept positions that pay poorly and provide little job security.
The government and non-governmental organisations have taken several steps to address Bengaluru’s poverty, but much more needs to be done. The government needs to implement a comprehensive plan that focuses on building affordable housing, providing high-quality healthcare and education, and promoting inclusive economic growth. The private sector must also take more initiatives to promote employment opportunities and raise everyone’s standard of living.
The elimination of all forms of poverty is the first Sustainable Development Goal, and Bengaluru’s poverty is a major barrier to achieving this goal. Our shared responsibility is to make sure that everyone can access necessities and lead a life of dignity and prosperity. After that, Bengaluru can only develop into a truly sustainable and inclusive city.