bengali essay on poverty

Poverty and Inequality in Bangladesh

• First Online: 27 March 2021

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• Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir 2  

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The chapter examines the state of poverty and inequality. The rate of poverty reduction exhibits a slowing down trend, which is not compatible with the story of ‘high’ rate of growth of GDP. At the same time, inequality is mounting with a fast pace. Resources are being concentrated in the pockets of a few at the expense of many. This chapter points out that widespread primitive accumulation of capital through using the monopoly power of the state results in to centralization of resources to clientelist networks. This chapter also extends the discussion of rights-based inequality in the context of Bangladesh by focusing on access to justice and how it is manifested with respect to inequality.

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Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir

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Titumir, R.A.M. (2021). Poverty and Inequality in Bangladesh. In: Numbers and Narratives in Bangladesh's Economic Development. Palgrave Macmillan, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-16-0658-8_7

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Globally Bangladesh is a Model for Poverty Reduction: World Bank

DHAKA, January 29, 2020 —The World Bank reiterated its commitment to help Bangladesh sustain high economic growth, as the World Bank Vice President for South Asia, Hartwig Schafer concluded a three-day visit to the country. 

“Bangladesh has proved that with commitment and determination of the government and the people, a country can come out of poverty and emerge as a low middle-income country within only a span of four decades,” said Schafer . " To accelerate growth and reach the next level of development, the country will need to create more and better jobs for its youth. A robust private sector, conducive business climate, skilled labor force, efficient infrastructure along with the right policies and quick actions will be critical."

He met with the Honorable Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and commended Bangladesh’s remarkable progress in economic development and poverty reduction. They discussed the country’s development priorities, and how the World Bank can support to sustain the impressive results it has achieved in the past few decades.

"The World Bank is committed to join Bangladesh on its journey to upper middle-income status, in close cooperation with the government, stakeholders, and development partners, and for the benefit of all people,” said Schafer .

The World Bank’s portfolio in Bangladesh has nearly doubled in the last six years and currently stands at $11.6 billion. Bangladesh is one of the largest beneficiaries of the World Bank’s International Development Association (IDA) that provides concessional credit to poor countries.

Earlier today, Schafer spoke at the Bangladesh Development Forum and praised the country’s development innovations, including its success in empowering women, which has been instrumental in boosting the country’s economic growth and development. He also met with the Honorable Finance Minister and other senior government officials, civil society representatives and development partners.

The World Bank was among the first development partners to support Bangladesh following its independence. Since then, the World Bank has committed over $30 billion, mostly in grants, interest-free and concessional credits to Bangladesh.

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• World Bank South Asia on Twitter

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6 The Great Bengal Famine

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• Published: January 1983
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A case study of the Great Bengal Famine of 1943, which had a reported death toll of about 1.5 million. An explanation for the famine is analysed in terms of the most common approach used—food availability decline (FAD), and this is rejected for various reasons. Analyses are next made in terms of exchange entitlements and the causes of the sharp movements of these, and of the class basis of the destitution. The last part of the chapter discusses the role of theory in the failure of the official policy for tackling the famine.

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বিভিন্ন বিষয়ের উপর বাংলা রচনা | bengali essay online.

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4. শিক্ষা বিস্তারে গণমাধ্যমের ভূমিকা | Role of Mass Media in Education Essay

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What is climate change mitigation and why is it urgent?

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• Climate change mitigation involves actions to reduce or prevent greenhouse gas emissions from human activities.
• Mitigation efforts include transitioning to renewable energy sources, enhancing energy efficiency, adopting regenerative agricultural practices and protecting and restoring forests and critical ecosystems.
• Effective mitigation requires a whole-of-society approach and structural transformations to reduce emissions and limit global warming to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels.
• International cooperation, for example through the Paris Agreement, is crucial in guiding and achieving global and national mitigation goals.
• Mitigation efforts face challenges such as the world's deep-rooted dependency on fossil fuels, the increased demand for new mineral resources and the difficulties in revamping our food systems.
• These challenges also offer opportunities to improve resilience and contribute to sustainable development.

What is climate change mitigation?

Climate change mitigation refers to any action taken by governments, businesses or people to reduce or prevent greenhouse gases, or to enhance carbon sinks that remove them from the atmosphere. These gases trap heat from the sun in our planet’s atmosphere, keeping it warm. 

Since the industrial era began, human activities have led to the release of dangerous levels of greenhouse gases, causing global warming and climate change. However, despite unequivocal research about the impact of our activities on the planet’s climate and growing awareness of the severe danger climate change poses to our societies, greenhouse gas emissions keep rising. If we can slow down the rise in greenhouse gases, we can slow down the pace of climate change and avoid its worst consequences.

Reducing greenhouse gases can be achieved by:

• Shifting away from fossil fuels : Fossil fuels are the biggest source of greenhouse gases, so transitioning to modern renewable energy sources like solar, wind and geothermal power, and advancing sustainable modes of transportation, is crucial.
• Improving energy efficiency : Using less energy overall – in buildings, industries, public and private spaces, energy generation and transmission, and transportation – helps reduce emissions. This can be achieved by using thermal comfort standards, better insulation and energy efficient appliances, and by improving building design, energy transmission systems and vehicles.
• Changing agricultural practices : Certain farming methods release high amounts of methane and nitrous oxide, which are potent greenhouse gases. Regenerative agricultural practices – including enhancing soil health, reducing livestock-related emissions, direct seeding techniques and using cover crops – support mitigation, improve resilience and decrease the cost burden on farmers.
• The sustainable management and conservation of forests : Forests act as carbon sinks , absorbing carbon dioxide and reducing the overall concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. Measures to reduce deforestation and forest degradation are key for climate mitigation and generate multiple additional benefits such as biodiversity conservation and improved water cycles.
• Restoring and conserving critical ecosystems : In addition to forests, ecosystems such as wetlands, peatlands, and grasslands, as well as coastal biomes such as mangrove forests, also contribute significantly to carbon sequestration, while supporting biodiversity and enhancing climate resilience.
• Creating a supportive environment : Investments, policies and regulations that encourage emission reductions, such as incentives, carbon pricing and limits on emissions from key sectors are crucial to driving climate change mitigation.

Photo: Stephane Bellerose/UNDP Mauritius

Photo: La Incre and Lizeth Jurado/PROAmazonia

What is the 1.5°C goal and why do we need to stick to it?

In 2015, 196 Parties to the UN Climate Convention in Paris adopted the Paris Agreement , a landmark international treaty, aimed at curbing global warming and addressing the effects of climate change. Its core ambition is to cap the rise in global average temperatures to well below 2°C above levels observed prior to the industrial era, while pursuing efforts to limit the increase to 1.5°C.

The 1.5°C goal is extremely important, especially for vulnerable communities already experiencing severe climate change impacts. Limiting warming below 1.5°C will translate into less extreme weather events and sea level rise, less stress on food production and water access, less biodiversity and ecosystem loss, and a lower chance of irreversible climate consequences.

To limit global warming to the critical threshold of 1.5°C, it is imperative for the world to undertake significant mitigation action. This requires a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 45 percent before 2030 and achieving net-zero emissions by mid-century.

What are the policy instruments that countries can use to drive mitigation?

Everyone has a role to play in climate change mitigation, from individuals adopting sustainable habits and advocating for change to governments implementing regulations, providing incentives and facilitating investments. The private sector, particularly those businesses and companies responsible for causing high emissions, should take a leading role in innovating, funding and driving climate change mitigation solutions. 

International collaboration and technology transfer is also crucial given the global nature and size of the challenge. As the main platform for international cooperation on climate action, the Paris Agreement has set forth a series of responsibilities and policy tools for its signatories. One of the primary instruments for achieving the goals of the treaty is Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) . These are the national climate pledges that each Party is required to develop and update every five years. NDCs articulate how each country will contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and enhance climate resilience.   While NDCs include short- to medium-term targets, long-term low emission development strategies (LT-LEDS) are policy tools under the Paris Agreement through which countries must show how they plan to achieve carbon neutrality by mid-century. These strategies define a long-term vision that gives coherence and direction to shorter-term national climate targets.

Photo: Mucyo Serge/UNDP Rwanda

Photo: William Seal/UNDP Sudan

At the same time, the call for climate change mitigation has evolved into a call for reparative action, where high-income countries are urged to rectify past and ongoing contributions to the climate crisis. This approach reflects the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) which advocates for climate justice, recognizing the unequal historical responsibility for the climate crisis, emphasizing that wealthier countries, having profited from high-emission activities, bear a greater obligation to lead in mitigating these impacts. This includes not only reducing their own emissions, but also supporting vulnerable countries in their transition to low-emission development pathways.

Another critical aspect is ensuring a just transition for workers and communities that depend on the fossil fuel industry and its many connected industries. This process must prioritize social equity and create alternative employment opportunities as part of the shift towards renewable energy and more sustainable practices.

For emerging economies, innovation and advancements in technology have now demonstrated that robust economic growth can be achieved with clean, sustainable energy sources. By integrating renewable energy technologies such as solar, wind and geothermal power into their growth strategies, these economies can reduce their emissions, enhance energy security and create new economic opportunities and jobs. This shift not only contributes to global mitigation efforts but also sets a precedent for sustainable development.

What are some of the challenges slowing down climate change mitigation efforts?

Mitigating climate change is fraught with complexities, including the global economy's deep-rooted dependency on fossil fuels and the accompanying challenge of eliminating fossil fuel subsidies. This reliance – and the vested interests that have a stake in maintaining it – presents a significant barrier to transitioning to sustainable energy sources.

The shift towards decarbonization and renewable energy is driving increased demand for critical minerals such as copper, lithium, nickel, cobalt, and rare earth metals. Since new mining projects can take up to 15 years to yield output, mineral supply chains could become a bottleneck for decarbonization efforts. In addition, these minerals are predominantly found in a few, mostly low-income countries, which could heighten supply chain vulnerabilities and geopolitical tensions.

Furthermore, due to the significant demand for these minerals and the urgency of the energy transition, the scaled-up investment in the sector has the potential to exacerbate environmental degradation, economic and governance risks, and social inequalities, affecting the rights of Indigenous Peoples, local communities, and workers. Addressing these concerns necessitates implementing social and environmental safeguards, embracing circular economy principles, and establishing and enforcing responsible policies and regulations .

Agriculture is currently the largest driver of deforestation worldwide. A transformation in our food systems to reverse the impact that agriculture has on forests and biodiversity is undoubtedly a complex challenge. But it is also an important opportunity. The latest IPCC report highlights that adaptation and mitigation options related to land, water and food offer the greatest potential in responding to the climate crisis. Shifting to regenerative agricultural practices will not only ensure a healthy, fair and stable food supply for the world’s population, but also help to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions.  

Photo: UNDP India

Photo: Nino Zedginidze/UNDP Georgia

What are some examples of climate change mitigation?

In Mauritius , UNDP, with funding from the Green Climate Fund, has supported the government to install battery energy storage capacity that has enabled 50 MW of intermittent renewable energy to be connected to the grid, helping to avoid 81,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide annually. 

In Indonesia , UNDP has been working with the government for over a decade to support sustainable palm oil production. In 2019, the country adopted a National Action Plan on Sustainable Palm Oil, which was collaboratively developed by government, industry and civil society representatives. The plan increased the adoption of practices to minimize the adverse social and environmental effects of palm oil production and to protect forests. Since 2015, 37 million tonnes of direct greenhouse gas emissions have been avoided and 824,000 hectares of land with high conservation value have been protected.

In Moldova and Paraguay , UNDP has helped set up Green City Labs that are helping build more sustainable cities. This is achieved by implementing urban land use and mobility planning, prioritizing energy efficiency in residential buildings, introducing low-carbon public transport, implementing resource-efficient waste management, and switching to renewable energy sources. 

UNDP has supported the governments of Brazil, Costa Rica, Ecuador and Indonesia to implement results-based payments through the REDD+ (Reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation in developing countries) framework. These include payments for environmental services and community forest management programmes that channel international climate finance resources to local actors on the ground, specifically forest communities and Indigenous Peoples. 

UNDP is also supporting small island developing states like the Comoros to invest in renewable energy and sustainable infrastructure. Through the Africa Minigrids Program , solar minigrids will be installed in two priority communities, Grand Comore and Moheli, providing energy access through distributed renewable energy solutions to those hardest to reach.

And in South Africa , a UNDP initative to boost energy efficiency awareness among the general population and improve labelling standards has taken over commercial shopping malls.

What is UNDP’s role in supporting climate change mitigation?

UNDP aims to assist countries with their climate change mitigation efforts, guiding them towards sustainable, low-carbon and climate-resilient development. This support is in line with achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly those related to affordable and clean energy (SDG7), sustainable cities and communities (SDG11), and climate action (SDG13). Specifically, UNDP’s offer of support includes developing and improving legislation and policy, standards and regulations, capacity building, knowledge dissemination, and financial mobilization for countries to pilot and scale-up mitigation solutions such as renewable energy projects, energy efficiency initiatives and sustainable land-use practices. 

With financial support from the Global Environment Facility and the Green Climate Fund, UNDP has an active portfolio of 94 climate change mitigation projects in 69 countries. These initiatives are not only aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions, but also at contributing to sustainable and resilient development pathways.

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Why Rahul Gandhi has done a U-turn on poverty, caste in 10 years

In 2013, rahul gandhi called poverty a "mental state". now, he talks about alleviating poverty through welfare schemes "khatakhat khatakhat". similarly, he said he didn't believe in caste. now, he is demanding a pan-india caste survey. what is it that has made rahul gandhi do an about-turn on caste and poverty in over a decade.

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Rahul Gandhi is leading a whirlwind campaign for the Congress in this Lok Sabha election. His campaign is based on two issues -- caste and poverty -- something which has been a perennial subject of political campaigning in India's 76 years of history since Independence.

The Gandhi scion's obsession to get a countrywide caste census done is so strong that he labels it as his "life's mission". Similarly, Rahul Gandhi has come to derive a "magic formula" to alleviate poverty by transferring to women from poor households a monthly sum of Rs 8,500 "khatakhat khatakhat" -- in his own words .

However, his views on caste and poverty have seen a paradigm shift over the years.

Before 2014, Rahul Gandhi was the heir apparent, ready to take on the mantle of Prime Ministership before a ' tsunami' from Gujarat jolted his party out of power at the Centre. His public speeches, interviews and remarks otherwise projected him as a liberal thinker who saw beyond the constructs of caste and religion, who didn't differentiate among people based on their living standards.

RAHUL GANDHI'S STANCE ON POVERTY

In his recent election speeches, Rahul Gandhi spoke about his "khatakhat khatakhat" promises to alleviate poverty. Addressing a poll rally in Rajasthan in April, he said that if the Congress won the upcoming general elections, it would ensure that “poverty is erased in one stroke”.

"If you are below the poverty line, then every year Rs 1 lakh khatakhat khatakhat aata rahega aur ek jhatke se hum Hindustan se garibi ko mita denge (the amount will keep coming and with one stroke we will remove poverty from India)," he added.

As per the Congress manifesto for the 2024 Lok Sabha election , the party would ensure that women belonging to poor households would get Rs 1 lakh per year under the Mahalakshmi scheme.

Rahul Gandhi went a step beyond by suggesting that besides a caste-based census, his party would also do a wealth survey if elected to power . After the wealth survey, there would be wealth distribution, which would see the deprived sections (based on caste survey) get their share in the country's resources based on their population.

While the Congress manifesto does not mention any wealth redistribution scheme, Rahul Gandhi has repeatedly spoken about it in multiple public rallies.

But his views on poverty were not always the same. In 2013, Rahul Gandhi dismissed poverty as "just a state of mind" . This came after two of his colleagues, Raj Babbar and Rasheed Masood, claimed that Rs 12 and Rs 5, respectively, were sufficient to buy a hearty meal.

Unlike recent times, Rahul Gandhi had a philosophical take on poverty in 2013.

WHEN RAHUL GANDHI DIDN'T BELIEVE IN CASTE

In October 2009, Rahul Gandhi, who was then the Congress General Secretary, declared that he did not believe in the caste system , adding that the only difference between the poor and the rich was one of opportunities.

Speaking at a press conference in Thiruvananthapuram, Rahul Gandhi was responding to questions regarding his visit to a Dalit household in Uttar Pradesh, with his rival parties labelling it as a political stunt.

"I personally don't believe in the caste system. I go to a human being's house and not a Dalit's house," he said.

Rahul Gandhi also emphasised how the caste of a poor person did not matter to him.

Giving the example of a tea vendor and a university student, Rahul Gandhi said that he doesn't ask a tea vendor whether he is a Dalit. "The difference is in the opportunities. They are as intelligent and as smart as you, but had no opportunity to go to a university. That is the only difference," he said.

Rahul Gandhi reiterated his dislike for caste again in 2016. In an interview with the Times of India, Rahul Gandhi was asked about how his party saw caste and Brahmin narrative in view of the 2017 Uttar Pradesh Assembly election. To this, Gandhi said he "doesn't believe in caste nor endorse any of that".

"UP needs to get out of this morass. The only way to do that is to become a party that represents everybody equally. My view is the Congress is a party for all," Rahul Gandhi said.

It is important to note that in 2016, the Samajwadi Party was not in alliance with the Congress and the BJP was not seen as a major force in Uttar Pradesh. Now both the Samajwadi Party and the Congress are important constituents of the Opposition INDIA bloc and aim to upstage the BJP from the Centre and Uttar Pradesh, where the party has won two successive terms under Yogi Adiytanath.

In the interview, Rahul Gandhi also spoke about ticket distribution and how it should be given to a candidate who represents all communities.

Now compare this to a roadshow Rahul Gandhi held in Raebareli in February 2024.

A journalist with a private news channel, standing in the crowd, allegedly asked the Congress workers why he was not being allowed to cover the event properly. To this, Rahul Gandhi opened a floodgate of casteist questions at him, which nearly proved fatal to the journalist.

Roused by their leader's words, when the crowd started pouncing on the journalist, Rahul Gandhi had to intervene. " Maaro mat usko. Maarna nahin hai ," he shouted, even as he continued with his questions.

" Naam bataao uska. Wo OBC hai? Nahin. Wo Dalit hai? Nahin (Tell his name. Is he OBC? No. Is he a Dalit? No)," he said.

Exhibit 2. In May this year, an eight-minute video was uploaded on Rahul Gandhi's official YouTube channel. The video, which Congress claims is from the Bharat Nyay Yatra, shows Rahul Gandhi suggesting that questions for IIT entrance exams should be prepared by Dalits so that more underprivileged students can get into these institutions.

WHY RAHUL GANDHI IS TAKING TO CASTE AND CLASS?

Notably, it was the emergence of Mandal politics in the 90s which saw the Congress's decline in the Hindi heartland states. The reservation to different caste groups gave power to regional satraps like Lalu Prasad Yadav in Bihar and Mulayam Singh Yadav in Uttar Pradesh, overpowering the core group of the Congress -- the upper caste Hindu voters. Even Muslims started to trust caste-based politics.

Now, the BJP has broadened its vote bank in the Hindi heartland states under the 'Hindutva' flag, amalgamating all caste-based identities into a singular Hindu identity. Its kamandal of Hindutva and welfare politics countered Mandal politics effectively.

However, after Bihar conducted a caste survey, and the issue gained currency, Rahul Gandhi hoped to use Mandal again to counter the BJP's kamandal.

He has gone back to caste politics, hoping to wield the same weapon which drove his party from these states.

As for poverty eradication, Rahul Gandhi has taken a leaf out of Indira Gandhi's 1971 Lok Sabha election slogan 'Gareebi Hatao, Desh Bachao' (remove poverty, save the country).

The 'gareebi hatao' slogan was an attempt by Indira Gandhi to negate the impact of major rural castes by categorising the people into a class of poor. Indira Gandhi won the 1971 election, but 'Gareebi Hatao' remained just that, a slogan.

Over 50 years later, fighting to prevent a slide of the Congress, Rahul Gandhi is trying to do the same -- by promising to eradicate poverty instantly.

IN THIS STORY