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Tax Practitioner | 17+ yrs ⚖️ | PhD Scholar in Law (Intl Trade and Tax Law ) 📚 | Exploring Law, Economics & Psychology | Bridging Practice and Academia

  • Is India Really a Poor Country to Live In? A Critical Reflection

    Research by Sidheswar Jena, PhD Scholar in Law

    Abstract

    India today stands at a strange crossroad. On one side, it has billionaires, global recognition, and young talent leading the world’s top companies. On the other, the government still provides free ration to 80 crore people every month (PMGKAY, 2024). After 79 years of independence, this raises an uncomfortable but necessary question: Is India really a poor country to live in? This paper does not look at poverty only as lack of money, but also as absence of dignity, fairness, and systemic accountability.

    Keywords

    India, Poverty, Governance, Education System, Migration, Corruption, Public Policy, Welfare Schemes

    Introduction

    When we speak of poverty, we often think in terms of hunger or unemployment. But in India, poverty is also about the daily experience of living. It is about buying a house worth ₹25 crore in Bandra and still driving through pothole-filled roads, spending hours in traffic, and breathing toxic air. It is about waiting ten years in court for a simple case to close. It is about education that charges lakhs of rupees in fees but produces graduates who shine only when they leave the country.

    This paper reflects on six major reasons why India struggles with the tag of being a “poor country to live in” — not poor in money, but poor in system.

    1. Feeding 80 Crore People: A Sign of Strength or a National Failure?

    India operates the world’s largest free food distribution program. As of January 2024, over 80 crore citizens continue to receive free food grains every month under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY) (NDTV, 2024). Governments project this as success; however, it highlights systemic weakness.

    Out of a population of 1.4 billion, only 10.41 crore citizens filed income tax returns in 2023-24 (Times of India, 2024). This means less than 8% of the population sustains the entire welfare net. Feeding citizens should be a safety net, not a permanent identity of the nation. The fact that nearly half the population still depends on free ration after almost eight decades of independence is not achievement — it is a national failure.

    2. Infrastructure: Private Luxury, Public Neglect

    Take Mumbai as an example. Someone buys a ₹25 crore flat in Bandra, but outside the gates lie potholes, traffic jams, waterlogging, and unbreathable air. Despite India’s booming private wealth — with over 4.68 lakh taxpayers declaring income above ₹1 crore in FY 2024-25 (LiveMint, 2025) — the public infrastructure does not reflect this prosperity.

    Unlike in developed countries, where taxation ensures reliable public services, in India citizens often question: Where does the tax money go?

    3. Universities Without Global Standing

    India has more than 1,000 universities and 40,000 colleges, yet very few appear in global rankings. The reasons include:

                   •             Education dominated by private players run for profit.

                   •             Research and innovation severely underfunded.

                   •             Outdated syllabi and political interference.

    Instead of producing innovators, the system often produces degree-holders with little global competitiveness. This is why Indian graduates succeed abroad but struggle to find equal opportunities at home.

    4. Migration: Searching for Dignity, Not Just Money

    Every year, lakhs of Indians leave for countries like the US, Canada, and Australia. While salaries play a role, the deeper motivation is quality of life: clean air, safe drinking water, reliable public transport, and a justice system that works on time.

    When even India’s wealthy residents cannot escape pollution, traffic, or delayed justice, migration becomes less about money and more about dignity.

    5. Education and the Politics of History

    Another weakness lies in the politicization of education. Governments often rewrite history textbooks to suit their ideology, sometimes erasing or altering narratives around figures like Maharana Pratap. Instead of focusing on science, technology, and future-oriented studies, education becomes a tool of politics.

    This not only compromises objectivity but also distracts from innovation and research. The result: students are skilled at memorizing facts but are not prepared for the future.

    6. Corruption: The Daily Tax

    India’s position in Transparency International’s Corruption Perceptions Index slipped from 93rd in 2023 (score 39) (The Hindu, 2024) to 96th in 2024 (score 38) (Business Standard, 2025). For citizens, these rankings only confirm lived experience. Corruption functions as a daily tax:

                   •             Bribes for ration cards and driving licenses.

                   •             Delays in courts.

                   •             Favoritism in government contracts.

    This corrodes trust and discourages both entrepreneurship and innovation.

    Conclusion

    So, is India really a poor country to live in? Not in terms of wealth or talent — India has both in abundance. But in terms of governance, fairness, and dignity of life, India remains poor.

    Feeding 80 crore people after nearly 79 years of independence is not an achievement, it is evidence of systemic failure. Billionaires living on broken roads show that private wealth cannot compensate for public inefficiency. Politicized education erases history instead of building the future. And corruption functions as a permanent burden on citizens.

    For India to truly rise, it must go beyond welfare politics and slogans. Real change requires governance reform, depoliticized education, honest infrastructure investment, and a culture of accountability. Only then can India stop being a land of unfulfilled potential and become a country where citizens live with dignity.

    References

    Business Standard (2025). India ranks 96 out of 180 countries in Corruption Perceptions Index 2024. Retrieved from: Business Standard

    NDTV (2024). Over 80 crore people getting free foodgrains benefits under PMGKAY. Retrieved from: NDTV

    Times of India (2024). No. of taxpayers rises 82% to 10.4 cr in last 9 years: CBDT. Retrieved from: TOI

    LiveMint (2025). Over 4.68 lakh taxpayers file ITR for income over ₹1 crore till Feb 28. Retrieved from: LiveMint

    The Hindu (2024). India ranks 93 out of 180 countries in Corruption Perceptions Index 2023. Retrieved from: The Hindu

  • Corruption: A Root Cause Analysis from Family to Nation

    Corruption: A Root Cause Analysis from Family to Nation
    Author: Sidheswar Jena, Ph.D. Scholar (Law),

    Abstract
    Corruption is a deeply embedded societal problem that transcends political, economic, and cultural boundaries. While discussions on corruption often receive broad agreement, efforts to take collective action are limited. This article analyzes corruption from its root causes, beginning with the family unit, extending to municipal structures, and culminating in its national implications. Using the recent political crisis in Nepal (September 2025) as a case study, it explores how dissatisfaction, greed, and systemic failures converge to perpetuate corruption. The paper argues that corruption is not limited to government institutions but is fundamentally a human-driven issue requiring cultural as well as institutional reform.

    Introduction
    Corruption is universally acknowledged as a significant impediment to development and governance. Whenever citizens discuss corruption, there is widespread recognition of its prevalence. However, when the discourse moves from identification to accountability and action, there is often a retreat. This hesitation highlights the paradox of corruption: though universally condemned, it is simultaneously normalized. To understand why, we must analyze corruption’s roots—not solely at the national level but beginning with individual behavior and familial influences.

    Corruption and the Centrality of Taxation
    Taxation is the backbone of any nation, particularly for developing economies. Tax revenues fund infrastructure, education, healthcare, and welfare. Yet, empirical studies and lived realities suggest that tax collection rarely translates entirely into public development. Rather, funds are diverted or misused for private interests, eroding citizen trust in governance institutions (World Bank, 2022).
    The crisis in Nepal (September 2025) underscores this dilemma. Long regarded as a peaceful nation, Nepal witnessed mass protests driven by frustration with entrenched corruption and economic stagnation. Citizens observed their tax money being misappropriated by politicians, bureaucrats, and business elites, while ordinary people faced rising unemployment, inflation, and uncertainty about their future. Many leaders’ families lived abroad in luxury, pursuing education in prestigious universities, while taxpayers struggled with basic needs. Protective amendments and immunity provisions
    introduced by the government further alienated citizens, leading to widespread protests and civil unrest (Kathmandu Post, 2025). Though violence cannot be justified, the episode illustrates how systemic corruption can trigger social upheaval and threaten democratic institutions.

    Corruption at the Micro Level: The Family
    Before addressing systemic corruption, it is important to recognize its roots within the family structure. Consider a household of four: a father working to provide for his spouse and children. Stability falters when dissatisfaction arises, often due to social comparisons with neighbors or peers living seemingly better lives. Influenced by such comparisons, family members may pressure the earning member to increase income.
    When legitimate opportunities appear insufficient, individuals are vulnerable to persuasion from peers who normalize illegal practices. Rationalizations such as “everyone is doing it” or “you can bribe your way out of problems” lower moral barriers. High-profile financial scandals, including those involving Vijay Mallya and Nirav Modi (Business Standard, 2022), reinforce the perception that corruption not only goes unpunished but can also sustain luxurious lifestyles. Thus, corruption begins not out of compulsion but from greed, jealousy, and unchecked ambition.

    Misconceptions About Corruption
    Public discourse often associates corruption exclusively with government officials. While it is true that bureaucratic corruption is prevalent, corruption is not confined to public institutions. It arises wherever individuals prioritize personal gain over ethical responsibility. Institutions, whether governmental or private, are run by individuals; hence, corruption is fundamentally human-driven (Transparency International, 2024).
    Municipal governance provides a clear illustration. Citizens pay taxes expecting efficient services, yet frequently encounter bureaucratic hurdles unless they provide informal payments. Officials justify such demands by citing insufficient resources, shifting responsibility back onto citizens: “If you want faster service, you must pay extra.” Citizens, pressed for time, comply. Gradually, bribery becomes institutionalized, seen as an unofficial fee rather than a crime. This normalization ensures its persistence and expansion.

    The Vicious Cycle of Corruption
    Corruption perpetuates itself through a cyclical process:

    1. Individual Dissatisfaction – Comparisons with others fuel greed.
    2. Entry into Corruption – Bribes and shortcuts appear rational.
    3. Normalization – “Everyone does it” becomes justification.
    4. Institutionalization – Bribery becomes routine and expected.
    5. Political Protection – Leaders shield officials, while officials shield leaders, ensuring continuity.
      This cycle makes accountability difficult, as both giver and taker of bribes rationalize their roles. When political leaders implicated in scandals return to power, the cycle deepens, signaling that corruption pays rather than punishes.

    Conclusion
    Corruption is not merely a governmental or institutional issue; it is fundamentally rooted in individual choices. It begins within families, manifests in municipal services, and becomes entrenched within national politics. The Nepal crisis of September 2025 serves as a reminder that unchecked corruption can lead to widespread unrest and threaten democratic stability. Addressing corruption requires more than laws—it demands cultural reform, ethical leadership, and active citizen refusal to participate in corrupt practices. Unless individuals acknowledge their complicity and act responsibly, corruption will remain both a societal norm and a national weakness.

    References
    1.
    Business Standard. (2022). Case studies of financial fraud: Vijay Mallya and Nirav Modi. Business Standard India. Retrieved from https://www.business-standard.com
    2.
    Kathmandu Post. (2025). Protests in Nepal: Anger against corruption and political elitism. Kathmandu Post. Retrieved from https://kathmandupost.com
    3.
    Transparency International. (2024). Corruption Perceptions Index. Retrieved from https://www.transparency.org
    4.
    The Hindu. (2023). Why is corruption so difficult to eliminate in India? The Hindu. Retrieved from https://www.thehindu.com
    5.
    World Bank. (2022). The Costs of Corruption on Development. World Bank Publications. Retrieved from https://www.worldbank.org

    Signed,
    Sidheswar Jena, Ph.D. Scholar (Law), Vivekananda Global University

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