The Harsh Truth: Over 70 Million Indians Struggle to Survive on Less Than ₹62 a Day

Imagine holding just ₹62 in your hand—a ₹50 note, a ₹10 note, and a ₹2 coin. Now imagine this meager sum is all you have to feed your family and meet every basic need for the entire day. For over 70 million people in India, this is not just a thought experiment, but a harsh daily reality.

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A Day’s Wage That Can’t Buy Even the Basics

₹62, or less than a dollar, won’t buy you a liter of full-cream milk in India. It won’t get you a liter of petrol or diesel, a kilogram of lentils, a dozen eggs, or even the cheapest monthly mobile recharge. Yet, more than 70 million Indians—equivalent to the entire population of the United Kingdom—struggle to earn even this much in a day.

This shocking truth may sound like a cruel joke, but it’s a reflection of India’s deep-rooted poverty, even after 77 years of independence.

Trapped in the Vicious Cycle of Poverty

For millions of Indians, daily survival means hard labor—pulling rickshaws, selling goods on the streets, or taking up any available work. Despite their relentless efforts, their lives rarely change. The system, plagued by unequal access to education, healthcare, and employment, keeps them trapped in poverty. When they die poor, society often blames them for not trying hard enough, ignoring the systemic failures that denied them opportunities.

The Inheritance of Poverty

Statistics reveal a sobering reality: in India, your economic fate is tied more to your birth than your hard work. The intergenerational income elasticity (IGE) is 0.56, meaning over half of your earning potential is determined by your parents’ income. If your parents are poor, chances are you will remain poor. The story is even starker for marginalized communities: for tribal families, 66% of children’s incomes are determined by their parents’, for Dalits it’s 51%, for OBCs 53%, and for Muslims 63%.

The Mirage of Freebies and the Real Issues

Every election season, political parties roll out promises of free electricity, water, cheap gas cylinders, and cash handouts. But these offers often distract from the real issues—quality education, accessible healthcare, and meaningful employment. Data shows that an educated family can improve the lives of the next generation by 76%. But the lure of short-term freebies overshadows demands for long-term reforms.

Economic Growth, But For Whom?

India is now the world’s fourth-largest economy. GDP is rising, stock markets are booming, and property prices are soaring. Yet, the average Indian still can’t afford to buy a house even after saving for decades. For the wealthiest 5% in Mumbai, it would take 109 years of savings to buy a home without a loan. For the poor, homeownership remains an impossible dream.

The Need for a Mindset Shift

The biggest mistake, perhaps, has been focusing on “removing poverty” rather than “creating prosperity.” True progress will come when we strive to make the poor economically empowered—by ensuring equal access to quality education, healthcare, and jobs for every child, youth, and family.

The Way Forward

Before supporting any political party, Indians must demand solutions to their real problems: better schools, hospitals, roads, and jobs. When citizens make their issues the center of political discourse, leaders will have no choice but to listen. Only then can India take a giant leap toward regaining its status as the “golden bird”—a land of prosperity for all.