The persistent question of whether private individual actions can meaningfully address extreme poverty in India has sparked significant discussion among social thinkers and development experts. Anurag Behar, CEO of Azim Premji Foundation, recently explored this critical issue in response to overwhelming public reaction to his previous column on poverty.
The Reservoir of Social Empathy
Following his earlier piece focusing on poverty amidst broader development goals, Behar received numerous responses that revealed a surprising depth of public concern. Approximately 70% of respondents expressed genuine heartbreak and sadness when confronted with the reality of extreme poverty in specific Indian regions. This emotional response, tinged with hope, suggests that empathy remains very much alive in Indian society.
Behar notes that only one response carried contempt, while the overwhelming majority demonstrated compassion. The sheer volume of concerned reactions indicates what he describes as "a reservoir of yearning for action and change in society" that significantly outnumbered negative responses by about a hundred to one.
Practical Pathways to Contribution
The most compelling aspect of the public response came from the 30% of readers who asked the practical question: "What should be done?" These inquiries came from diverse professional backgrounds including business leaders, healthcare professionals, civil society representatives, writers, teachers, researchers, journalists, and government officials.
Behar identifies three crucial aspects for those wanting to contribute effectively. First, individuals should consider leveraging their professional expertise. A researcher could focus on studies relevant to impoverished areas, while journalists might highlight critical issues through their reporting. This specialized approach often proves more effective than generic assistance.
Second, rather than focusing exclusively on the specific location mentioned in his column, Behar suggests that people explore similar areas of need within their own communities. "Wherever you live, it's far more useful to go out nearby and discover similar theatres of tragedy and hope and contribute there," he advises, emphasizing that such places exist all around us, requiring only that we step outside our comfortable environments.
The Complexity of Measuring Impact
The third aspect addresses the challenging reality of impact measurement. Behar cautions that even the most well-intentioned efforts may not produce immediately visible results in improving lives. Many professional contributions create only second or third-order effects on the actual living conditions of impoverished communities.
For instance, valuable research insights might not be implemented by policymakers, and impactful journalism might not translate directly into policy changes. This doesn't diminish the importance of such work but highlights the complex nature of social change. "Over time, it is only such work that shifts societal trends and thinking," Behar asserts, emphasizing that while direct causality might be difficult to establish, these contributions remain critically important.
He suggests that contributors measure their impact not by immediate, visible change but by the quality and honesty of their work, maintaining faith that their efforts will contribute to meaningful transformation over the long term.
The Transformative Power of Direct Experience
Beyond professional contributions, Behar emphasizes one universally accessible action: visiting these marginalized areas personally. The experience of witnessing both the profound challenges and the remarkable resilience of communities living in extreme poverty can be transformative in itself.
He describes encountering "angelic humanity shining a light amid pitch darkness" in these regions, suggesting that whether or not visitors eventually contribute materially, the experience will inevitably contribute to their own understanding and perspective. This direct engagement often becomes the catalyst for sustained, meaningful involvement in poverty alleviation efforts.
The discussion, originally published on November 27, 2025, continues to resonate as India grapples with the complex challenge of extreme poverty amidst rapid economic development. The responses to Behar's work demonstrate that despite the scale of the problem, there exists significant public will to participate in solutions, offering hope for collaborative approaches to one of India's most pressing social challenges.
