Poverty and Corruption: Indian Slums in A Nutshell

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Poverty: the state of being extremely poor. Corruption: dishonest conduct by those in power, typically involving bribery. This is how many define poverty and corruption; however, without familiarity, words are just words – different combinations of the same twenty-six letters. Without actually experiencing either in one’s life, those of fortune can never truly understand the implications, associations, and repercussions of each, which is made evident by studying those who are living in rundown, despairing slums, which “for the purpose of census, has been defined as a residential area where dwellings are unfit for human habitation by reasons of dilapidation, overcrowding … lack of ventilation, light or sanitation facility” (Johnson) of India. Due to the immense amount of corruption, there is little faith in the Indian government as of today; however, some programs have been implemented. Despite these attempted programs, many of them fall through on their promises due to the individuals who are supposed to be presiding over them. Therefore, it can be said that the corruption found in the intermediates between the governing body of India and those in need is what is keeping the slums of the country from prospering.
Piquing my interest in researching the effects of poverty through corruption in Indian slums, Katherine Boo’s behind the beautiful forevers presented me with this whole other world that I previously had no knowledge of. This non-fiction piece focuses on the unusual types of people that one will meet in the slums of Mumbai, the most populous city in India. There are those of little ambition, like Abdul Husain; fiery personality, like Zehrunisa Husain; great desire, like Asha; longing for love in a cruel world, li...

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... policies that have been set up, tend to not come to fruition due to hidden motives of the liaisons. Therefore, when dealing with this influx of knowledge, people should be inspired to go out and help these people.

Works Cited

Fernandes, Naresh. “Cities: City of Slums, Land of Scams.” India Today (10 Aug. 2012)
ProQuest. Web. 31 Oct. 2013.
Jagtap, D.R.. “The Economics of the Poverty of India.” Indian Streams Research Journal 3.2
(Mar. 2013): 2-3. Academic Search Complete. Web. 10 Nov. 2013.
Johnson, Kay. “Indian Slums: 1 in 6 Indian City Dwellers Live in Conditions ‘Unfit for Human
Habitation’.” Huffington Post (22 Mar. 2013) Web. 02 Nov. 2013.
Krishna, Jai R.. “India’s Poor Hurt More by Corruption.” Wall Street Journal (10 Dec. 2010)
Web. 02 Nov. 2013.
Rana, Preetika. “Fact Sheet: Lokpal Bill.” Wall Street Journal: India (26 Nov. 2012) Web. 10
Nov. 2013.

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