(EN/FR) In this exchange, Chitransh Shekhar and Christian Namulisa delve into the challenges of addressing poverty, a key focus of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 1. Through their letters, Chitransh explores India’s traditional and modern approaches to poverty alleviation, while Christian highlights the dire humanitarian situation in the Democratic Republic of Congo amidst ongoing conflict. Their correspondence reveals how diverse cultural contexts and historical experiences shape their perspectives on combating poverty globally.
Letter 1
Dear, Christian Namulisa
I hope this letter greets you in a time of well-being; I am Chitransh Shekhar, your friend across the seas. The weather here is quite pleasant, and I hope you also enjoy the lovely weather. I am a college student pursuing my undergraduate. Here in India, we have a vibrant saying about uplifting the needful, as we have ancient books that are the historical evidence of our culture. These books are called Veds. We Indians have practiced NO POVERTY measures since ancient times, as whenever we do puja or in your language worship, we donate some money or food to the needful as our veds suggest us to do so. Owing to this, we are trying to help people in need in our very own ways.
For me, poverty can never be eradicated if you always spoon-feed the needful, and the needful is not willing to use its arms and legs. As lord Krishna said (one of the deities in Hinduism) “I can only help you to find the way, but you have to walk the path on your own. “accordingly, we can not only spoon-feed the poor or provide them with free services, crediting money or any such things instead we could give them a fair chance, skill development, credit help with subsidy or minimal interest rate so that, they could stand on they are self-dependent instead of being the handicap of the state which requires assistance throughout the life.
Poverty can be defined differently according to group, individual, or country. For instance, in India, it can be someone who doesn’t own land in the village area, or the one living in overcrowded jhuggis (hut-like structures) in cities, or daily wage labor, or a beggar, the USA if a family of four earn then less than $29,960 which is equal to approx. INR 25,08,340 (income of upper-middle-class Indian families) are considered poor, and your country also might have its own poverty definition, which I would like to hear from you.
In India, the government, private bodies, and temples try their best to eradicate poverty. As I mentioned, we have made people with low incomes self-reliant. The government of India has initiated various schemes to uplift the marginalized. Schemes like Pradhan mantra kaushal vikas yojana aims to skill up the youth and make them skilled enough to earn their living; government schemes are trying their best to provide subsidies for entrepreneurship credits, subsidies for home construction and many such programs.
India is trying to eradicate poverty, but specific barriers like corruption, lack of awareness, one’s feeling of free riding, and lack of women participation due to societal norms are resulting in its backdrop. Many incidences are witnessed within the country where government projects are running to provide livelihood to skilled laborers, which aims to benefit the government and laborers by constructing infrastructure and providing livelihood, respectively. Still, the issue is that the laborers didn’t get the money for their sake due to the corrupt administrative system increasing poverty (laborers would have worked elsewhere to earn money) rather than decreasing it.
The battle against poverty is multifaceted and requires a collaborative effort from all sectors of society. While traditional practices and cultural values provide a strong foundation for aiding people in need, modern solutions must also be embraced to address the complex challenges of today’s world. By empowering individuals through education, skill development, and equitable opportunities, we can pave the way for a future where every person has the means to thrive independently. Let us continue to work together, across borders and barriers, to create a world where poverty becomes a relic of the past, and everyone has the chance to realize their full potential.
As I conclude this letter, I extend my heartfelt gratitude for taking the time to engage in this critical dialogue with me. Your insights and perspectives are invaluable in shaping our understanding of poverty and how best to combat it. Let us remain steadfast in our commitment to fostering empowerment, equality, and opportunity for all, knowing that we can build a brighter and more prosperous future for future generations.
With warm regards from across the seas,
Chitransh Shekhar
Letter 2
Estimé Chitransh Shekhar,
Je suis Christian Namulisa, carabin de cinquième année à l’universitécatholiqte de Bukavu sise en République démocratique du congo, aucœurde l’Afrique.
J’ai parcouru avec attention particulière ta lettre du 14avrildernier qui souligne l’importance de lutter contre la pauvretédemanière holistique, en combinant à la fois les pratiquestraditionnelles et les solutions modernes pour répondre auxdéfiscomplexes d’aujourd’hui. Il met en avant l’importance de l’éducation,du développement des compétences et de l’équité des opportunitéspourautonomiser les individus et créer un avenir où chacun peut prospérerde manière indépendante. Il appelle à une collaboration à touslesniveaux de la société pour éliminer la pauvreté et offrir à chacunlapossibilité de réaliser pleinement son potentiel.
Aujourd’hui, Je me permets de vous écrire pour partager avec vousunetragédie qui sévit au cœur de l’Afrique, plus précisément à l’estdela République démocratique du Congo, le pays le plus richeducontinent Africain. Des informations et images font tous les joursletour du monde; si vous ne l’aurez pas encore appris, cette régionestle théâtre d’un conflit meurtrier qui perdure depuis plusieursdécennies, causant d’innombrables souffrances et déchirant letissusocial de ses habitants.
A en croire mes arrières parents, l’histoire de cette guerre complexeremonte aux années 1990, marquées par des tensions ethniquesetpolitiques qui ont rapidement dégénéré en violence armée. Depuislors,les combats n’ont cessé de ravager les populations locales, entraînantdes milliers de morts, des déplacements massifs de civils etdesviolations flagrantes des droits de l’homme. Les femmes et les enfantssont particulièrement touchés,
victimes de violences sexuellesetderecrutement forcé dans les rangs des groupes armés. La souffranceetla peur sont leur seule résidence.
Les enjeux de ce conflit sont multiples : contrôle des ressourcesnaturelles abondantes de la région, rivalités politiques et ethniques,ingérences étrangères et luttes pour le pouvoir. Les civilsseretrouvent pris au piège entre les différentes factions armées,subissant exactions, pillages et déplacements forcés. Les conditionsde vie dans les zones de conflit sont désastreuses, avec unaccèslimité à l’eau potable, à la nourriture et aux soins de santé.Que d’innocents payent le prix de cette folie meurtrière ; la pauxsembleêtre si loin et si difficile à retrouver.
Malgré les efforts de la communauté internationale pour résoudrececonflit, la situation demeure précaire et instable. Les pourparlersdepaix ont souvent échoué en raison des intérêts divergents des partiesprenantes et de la complexité du terrain. La présence de groupesarmésétrangers aggrave la situation et alimente un cycle de violencesansfin.
Face à cette tragédie humanitaire, les organisations humanitairestentent de venir en aide aux populations affectées en fournissantuneassistance médicale, alimentaire et psychosociale. Cependant,lesdéfis sont immenses et les besoins dépassent largement les capacitésd’intervention.
En conclusion, la guerre à l’est de la République démocratiqueduCongo demeure un drame humanitaire majeur qui nécessiteunemobilisation collective et une action urgente pour mettre finàlaviolence, protéger les civils et promouvoir la
réconciliation.Ilestimpératif que la communauté internationale redouble d’effortspourtrouver une solution durable à ce conflit dévastateur qui continuedefaire des victimes innocentes au cœur de l’Afrique.
En espérant que ces quelques lignes vous auront sensibilisé àcetteréalité tragique, je vous prie de recevoir, cher Chitransh Shekhar,l’expression de mes salutations distinguées.
Bien cordialement,
Christian Namulisa, ton pen friend de la République DémocratiqueduCongo.
Letter 3
To Christian Namulisa,
I hope you’re doing well as you read this letter. Your letter touches a deep chord, bringing attention to the current humanitarian situation in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Your commitment to bringing these important concerns to the public’s attention is admirable, and I appreciate your efforts to push for change.
It is clear from comparing India and the Democratic Republic of the Congo that both countries had similar difficulties from the start as they worked toward stability and prosperity. Similar to the Congo, India was a colony of foreign rule and has faced numerous
difficulties since gaining independence, including significant barriers that contributed to the country’s early years of turmoil.
Following independence, India experienced political unpredictability, social inequality, and economic turmoil. It would take years for the wounds caused by the massive violence and dislocation that followed British India’s 1947 division to heal.
The young country began its nation-building journey amid the chaos, led by visionary leaders who were unwavering in their dedication to social justice, democracy, and secularism. The political commentators of the era questioned India’s standing in the international arena following its declaration of independence.
Our GDP was less than 2%, our population was ethnically divided, and the education rate was a pitiful 15% at the moment of independence. Criticism came from the “First World” That a rural India will never be able to establish a functioning democracy.
But thanks to the perseverance of our leaders and the solidarity of our people, we overcame all obstacles and established the largest democracy in the world, which has been prospering for the past 76 years, starting on August 15, 1947.
India’s government adopted bold programs to advance social welfare, economic growth, and education in spite of these obstacles. These measures, along with the Indian people’s tenacity and diligence, created the conditions for India to become a major force in the world economy.
India’s development path has been largely supported by its emphasis on education. All students, regardless of background, now have access to high-quality education because to initiatives like the Right to Education Act (RTE) and the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA). Millions of people have been able to escape the cycle of poverty and reach their full potential because to this emphasis on education.
Comprehensive initiatives to reduce poverty have also been put in place by the Indian government, including the National Rural Livelihoods Mission (NRLM) and the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA). Particularly in areas of extreme poverty, these programs uplift rural people, create jobs, and enhance livelihoods.
With programs like the National Health Mission (NHM), which aims to develop healthcare facilities and deliver universal health coverage, India’s healthcare industry has also seen tremendous transformation. The nation’s mortality rates have decreased and health outcomes have improved as a result of the emphasis on healthcare access.
Furthermore, India’s affirmative action programs, which seek to right past wrongs and advance equality of opportunity, demonstrate the country’s commitment to inclusive growth. Reservations for underrepresented groups in government employment and education have benefited millions of people and promoted social cohesion.
To support the conversation even further, India’s 1990s policies of globalization, privatization, and liberalization sparked a dramatic shift in the country’s economy by creating opportunities for increasing foreign investment, technical breakthroughs, and
market integration. India became a major player in the world economy as a result of this policy change, which unleashed the potential for explosive economic expansion. Furthermore, programs like the Public Distribution
System (PDS) and the introduction of ration cards for those living below the poverty line (BPL) have been crucial in guaranteeing food security and reducing poverty, especially for underprivileged groups. The PDS seeks to combat hunger and malnutrition by offering necessary food grains to those in need at discounted prices.
The government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo may learn a lot from India’s experiences, especially when it comes to economic reform and reducing poverty. Adopting policies that support globalization, privatization, and liberalization can boost economic expansion, draw in foreign capital, and generate job possibilities.
Targeted welfare programs, such as the PDS and ration card system in India, can guarantee resource distribution equity and offer a safety net for disadvantaged groups. The government of the Democratic Republic of Congo may set the path for sustainable development and prosperity for its citizens by taking note of India’s achievements and customizing policies to fit its unique situation.
As we turn our attention to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, we see that it continues to encounter obstacles to stability and development, such as warfare, corruption, and ineffective governance. In addition to inclusive government, the defense of human rights, and peacebuilding initiatives, the international community must work together to address the humanitarian situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
The Democratic Republic of the Congo is experiencing a humanitarian crisis, and peacebuilding, responsible governance, and humanitarian aid must be given top priority. To establish trust and settle disputes, this calls for encouraging inclusive communication between those involved in conflict. Additionally, maintaining stability and encouraging accountability depend on bolstering governance systems to fight corruption and protect the rule of law. To satisfy the immediate needs of the impacted populations—including food, water, shelter, and medical care—urgent humanitarian help must be given.
Initiatives for economic growth and sustainable resource management are also essential for addressing the underlying causes of conflict and promoting long-term stability. It is also essential to increase international cooperation and support for peacekeeping and reconstruction initiatives. Building long-lasting peace and stability requires empowering local communities and encouraging women to participate in decision-making. In addition, promoting social cohesiveness and reconciliation via neighborhood projects can aid in mending rifts and advancing harmony among various racial and religious communities. Together, we can take immediate action in these important areas to strive toward a better future for the DRC’s citizens.
Your advocacy is instrumental in raising awareness and mobilizing action. Let us continue to work together towards a future where every individual, regardless of their circumstances, can thrive.
Thank you once again for your insightful letter.
Best regards,
Chitransh Shekhar
Letter 4
Mon chitransh Shekhar,
Je vous écris ces lignes avec le poids de la plume sur le cœur, conscient du retard injustifié qui a marqué ma réponse à votre lettre du 14 mai dernier. Veuillez accepter mes excuses les plus sincères, car c’est plongé dans les profondeurs de la réalité congolaise, âpre et complexe, que j’ai trouvé le temps de vous adresser ces mots.
Le Congo, mon cher Shekhar, est une terre d’une beauté saisissante, un écrin de verdure luxuriante caressé par les eaux tumultueuses du fleuve Congo, un géant endormi aux richesses insoupçonnées. Mais derrière ce tableau idyllique se cache une réalité bien plus sombre, une symphonie de misère et d’espoir qui résonne dans chaque recoin du pays
La misère du peuple congolais est une plaie béante qui refuse de se cicatriser. Des millions d’hommes, de femmes et d’enfants vivent dans des conditions infrahumaines, luttant chaque jour pour survivre dans un pays aux richesses pillées et aux promesses trahies. L’instabilité du taux de change, une valse infernale qui fait vaciller les fondations de l’économie, ne fait qu’exacerber leurs souffrances.
Un dollar américain, cette icône du commerce mondial, vaut aujourd’hui la somme exorbitante de 2850 francs congolais. Imaginez, Shekhar, l’impact dévastateur de cette fluctuation sur le quotidien des Congolais. Un kilo de riz, denrée de base indispensable à leur survie, se négocie désormais à un prix exorbitant, hors de portée pour la majorité de la population. La santé, l’éducation, des droits fondamentaux censés être accessibles à tous, se transforment en privilèges inaccessibles pour une grande partie du peuple.
En comparaison, l’Inde, votre pays natal, se présente comme un havre de stabilité relative. La roupie indienne, bien que sujette aux aléas des marchés financiers, conserve une certaine constance, permettant aux citoyens de planifier leur avenir avec une relative assurance. L’accès aux soins, à l’éducation et aux autres nécessités de base y est certes imparfait, mais il ne relève pas de l’utopie comme c’est le cas ici, au Congo.
Mais la misère ne se résume pas aux seuls aspects économiques. La République Démocratique du Congo est rongée par une instabilité politique chronique, une démocratie naissante étouffée par les démons de la corruption et de l’autoritarisme. Les institutions, censées être les garantes de l’état de droit et du bien-être du peuple, se sont transformées en instruments de domination au service d’une élite privilégiée.
En Inde, la démocratie, bien que fragile et imparfaite, demeure un pilier essentiel de la société. Les institutions, malgré leurs failles, s’efforcent de garantir l’équité et la justice pour tous. Le chemin vers une démocratie véritable est long et semé d’embûches, mais l’espoir d’un avenir meilleur anime le cœur de chaque Indien. Le Congo, mon cher Shekhar, se trouve
à la croisée des chemins. D’un côté, le spectre d’un chaos permanent, d’une descente aux enfers sans fond. De l’autre, la promesse d’un avenir meilleur, d’une résurrection tant attendue. Lequel de ces deux destins l’emportera ?
La réponse réside dans le cœur du peuple congolais, dans sa capacité à se rassembler, à transcender ses divisions et à exiger le changement. La communauté internationale, quant à elle, a le devoir d’accompagner ce peuple dans sa quête de dignité et de prospérité.
Le Congo, Shekhar, est un pays à genoux, mais pas vaincu. Son peuple, meurtri mais résilient, porte en lui la flamme d’un espoir indompté. C’est dans cette symphonie de misère et d’espoir que réside la véritable beauté du Congo, une beauté fragile mais indéniable, qui nous appelle tous à agir, à ne pas détourner le regard face à la souffrance, mais à œuvrer pour un avenir meilleur.
Je vous prie d’agréer, cher Shekhar, l’expression de mes salutations distinguées. Votre ami sincère
Christian NAMULISA