Poverty

Poverty

Out of the 2 billion people living in poverty in the world, around a third live in India. Is estimated that In Rajasthan there are some 15 million people in this situation most of them living in rural areas.

Living in Rajasthan

Rajasthan experiences some of the harshest living conditions in the world. In the summer temperatures in the desert areas can rise to 50° C and in the winter fall to below zero. Sand storms are common and as found in 2006 the monsoon can be so intense as to wash homes and people away, with extensive flooding.

Homes

Homes are often constructed of wood, mud and straw. Cooking is over an open fire and often there are very few possessions.

Child Deaths

Child death rates are high. One in 12 children die in their first year and one in 9 children die before they are 5 years old.

Read a paper by

Tania Verdemato on Rajasthan and the Millennium Development Goals.

Widows

Women who have lost their husbands are often ostracised by other villagers and have to live alone with little means of support.