TBI Book Giveaway #5: ‘Poor Economics’ by Abhijit V. Banerjee & Esther Duflo

India is a country that lays claims to a third of the world's poor. When faced with such widespread poverty, it is imperative that we try to understand the poor and their motivations. In their fascinating book titled 'Poor Economics', Abhijit V. Banerjee and Esther Duflo try do just this, and present startling facts and inferences from their many experiments, to think of innovative ways to end poverty. We give our readers a chance to win a copy!

By Anuradha Parekh

April 1, 2013

We cannot afford to turn a blind eye to poverty in India. It is everywhere. It can be seen in our maid’s tattered clothes. It can be seen on the dust clinging to the children playing outside a construction site. It can be seen in the expression of the waiter serving us coffee and the old woman who appeals to us for a few coins at the traffic signal. Yes, in a country that lays claims to a third of the world’s poor, it certainly is difficult to avoid looking at poverty straight in the eye.

So we meet poor people every day. And sometimes their actions and choices leave us befuddled. The car cleaner who can barely afford to feed his family has a television at home! The laundry woman who ekes a meagre living boasts of inviting guests often and cooking elaborate meals for them. How do they afford these ‘luxuries’?

Similar Story

Capture Stories of Resilient Indian Women & Win Up to Rs 6 Lakh in This Filmmaking Contest

Are you an aspiring filmmaker? The Better India and LICHFL present Womentaries: Her Story, Your Lens -- a contest where you can showcase your talents and capture the stories and voices of inspiring women leading change.