Progress Should Inspire Continued Action
India’s development story over the past two decades includes significant progress in reducing poverty and improving access to opportunities.
The World Bank’s India Poverty & Equity Brief reports that the share of India’s population living below its lower-middle-income poverty line declined substantially between 2011–12 and 2022–23. The World Bank also highlights significant reductions in extreme poverty during this period.
These changes reflect multiple factors, including economic growth, employment opportunities, public programmes and improvements in access to basic services.
However, national progress does not mean that every individual or community experiences development in the same way.
There can still be differences in access to quality education, healthcare, livelihoods, nutrition and other opportunities.
This is where civil society and philanthropy can play a complementary role.
Foundations and nonprofit organisations can work at the community level, identify gaps and support initiatives designed around specific local needs.
Progress should therefore not make us believe that the work is finished. Instead, it can give us confidence that sustained action can create meaningful change.
Every step forward creates an opportunity to take the next one.