Here is a insightful piece by my friend Chandra Maharzan on why poor /developing countries are not developing and what is wrong with all the help that is being given to us. He questions the way we think about the “aid industry”.
Chandra writes:
Why poor countries never develop?
I think I just found an answer to that.
This doesn’t necessarily agree with your opinion though. Its all my personal view.
The simple logic is – If I find a 1000 rupee note on the street (oh lucky me), I am sure I will misuse it either by drinking or by giving a party to friends or just misplace it. But if it takes me a full day to get that thousand rupee note, I am sure I am going to think what I need to spend that on. You just become ‘wise’ with that money.
There is a beggar, no matter how much money you give its just no sufficient for him. Well, money is never sufficient to anyone, is it? He will always live a beggar life. I am sure some beggar earn more than those hardworking coolies.
I have lived a ‘poor’ life. Not a rupee
Let me first