Understanding poverty should not be restricted to economic deprivation; rather, it has multiple connotations. Discuss. What steps do you suggest to effectively address the multifaceted nature of poverty?

UNDP has published its a multidimensional poverty index according to which India's poverty rate is 16%. Dimensions of poverty: - Poverty of income and assets i.e economic deprivation. - Educational poverty. - Health poverty & nutritional power (Absence of WASH: water, sanitans & hygiene facilities, Lack of housing). - Feminisation of poverty: disproportionate impact of poverty on women.

[Diagram showing vicious cycle of poverty with interconnected elements: Poor Health → Poor Education → Poor Employment → Lack of assets & income → Insufficient Nutrition] Steps to address the above: - Housing for all: PM Moas Yojana. - Social security benefits for the poor. ex. National social assistance program. - Create jobs: ex. MNARGETA provides 100 days of unskilled paid labour. - Education for all: RTE 2009, Mid Day meal scheme.

— Ritu Goyal · AIR 223