The lead up to the Commonwealth games has been fraught with criticism and speculation. The remarkable opening ceremony of the Delhi games temporarily silenced critics about the organisation of the event.
But critics are still unconvinced about the need to spend so much money on an event that is unlikely to bring any benefits to those that need it the most. Some commentators have pointed that the money could have been spent on addressing poverty and education in India, a country where millions live below the poverty line.
Millions of children in India live below the poverty line. Rupali (pictured) lives with her family in a slum in North-East Mumbai, India.
In the lead up to the games, some authorities were criticised for moving and “hiding” beggars in Delhi. According to experts, nearly half of the 100 000 street children living in Delhi beg for a living.
While we should celebrate India’s chance to shine on the world stage, we also need to remain focused on what needs to be done in eliminating poverty. ActionAid has been running numerous programs in India, ranging from women’s empowerment programs to assisting homeless children.
But what can you do about eliminating poverty? Giving the poor a voice is extremely important and can help with delivering effective aid. You can raise awareness of these issues and lobby your local MP for increasing Australia’s aid budget. Even small actions like purchasing ethically sourced products can help.
