THE INDIA MOVEMENT

FROM WORDS TO ACTION. THAT WAS THE RESOUNDING RALLYING CRY AT THE 21ST EDITION OF THE INDIA TODAY CONCLAVE

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AROON PURIE
Chairman & Editor-in-Chief, India Today Group

The theme of our conclave last year was the 'India Moment'. Well, I can confidently say the India Moment has only got bigger. Much bigger. Let's be ambitious and call it the 'India Movement. This way, we remind ourselves of the work that needs to be done. So that we keep asking ourselves the big question-"What's next"? What can we do today to ensure that the India Moment lasts as long as possible? And convert it into a movement? So that it transforms India like no other in the past. To me, the best way to build a better future is to have a clear vision of that future. And then work towards turning that vision into reality. Today, I want to submit to you five images of India's future that I think are within our grasp.

Firstly, forget about the Poverty Line, which is so often discussed in India, and let's convert it into what I would call the Dignity Line.

Less than a month ago, the government released data that suggested extreme poverty in India is almost eliminated. It is now indeed restricted to less than two per cent of India's population. But I must tell you that extreme poverty is a very low bar to clear. According to the World Bank, poverty is defined as the consumption expenditure of $2.15 PPP dollars a day.

That's Purchasing Power Parity, which means the dollar is about half the value of the US dollar. This means roughly Rs 1,200-Rs 1,500 a month or just Rs 4080 a day. In the last 10 years, the present government has done a remarkable job of lifting more than 200 million people above the extreme poverty line.