Calis Beach and Fethiye Turkey Discussion Forum
General Topics => The Debating Chamber => Topic started by: Piscoe on November 05, 2013, 09:50:14 AM
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I recall reading somewhere recently about the amount of aid our government gives out to countries in aid. One of which was India. I personally find it a bit difficult to stomach when so many people here in the UK are on or below the poverty line due to no fault of their own. Our government tell us there isn't any money for that type of aid. So, can you imagine my complete astonishment when I read the following article this morning?
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-24729073
So they can't look after their own and rely on aid from abroad yet can invest in space exploration???
Is it me or is there something seriously wrong with this? Who is worse, our government for being gullible or the Indians for wasting money when their population are in dire need?
Oh by the way, I found the link to the Indian aid piece http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-20265583
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Don't disagree at all, India should start to look out for its own (poor) people. However, we should not compare the relative poverty that people experience in the UK, with the absolute poverty suffered by millions in India.
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This year the UK is giving India £227 million in overseas aid.
This should be stopped at once, until India learns to sort out it's priorities.
th
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What hacks me off is that India now have a Space Programme... Why do we need to give aid to a country wasting money like this??
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Just read that India are launching a Spacecraft to Mars.....Cannot get my head around a space programme, thousands of people living in poverty, and a country holding out the begging bowl for foreign aid. :o >:(
http://news.yahoo.com/india-launches-first-mission-mars-092752981.html
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That'll be mars stinking of sh*t and curry in a few years time then.........couldn't resist !
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Should have tried harder !
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If it was feasible to transfer countries to Mars I could nominate a couple.
I'd even chip in with the costs. ;)
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You have to admire a country that is so desperately hungry that it will travel all that way for a Mars! :o
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I can understand why people feel upset when stories like this hit the headlines. When Hurricane Katrina caused savage damage in New Orleans, and tens of thousands of people were in dire circumstances, UK charities called for donations. My first reaction was to think: "The USA is the richest country on the planet. Let them sort it out". Later it became clear that the people in New Orleans suffering most were black, didn't vote Republican and George W. Bush didn't give a damn about them. The government of the richest country in the world forgot about these people. But when we give aid - via charities or government - we do not want to help the the government; we want to help those who are suffering. And it doesn't matter much difference to them whether they are suffering in a rich country or a poor one; they still need help from someone. Of course their governments ought to look after them; but what about when they don't? I decided not to donate any money to the Katrina appeal because America was rich enough to handle things itself. On reflection, I now think my decision was wrong.
The problem, always, is to get get the aid to those who are suffering and not letting it be embezzled by governments and others on its way there. In this respect perhaps people should be pleased that the UK will cease financial aid to India in 2015 and, instead, give aid in the form of technical assistance.
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Very well put and very true Colwyn, so much money is siphoned off by corrupt governments and doesn't get to the people. When you see the abject poverty in India in so much of the Country while the privileged live so well it is sickening, it has not changed in 50 years and is arguably the most corrupt Country in the World, it exists on a sea of bribery for even the smallest thing. How can they justify this crazy space race?
As a percentage the wealthy in India have amongst the lowest donations tom Charity in the World!
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I could be wrong, but I seem to remember a newspaper article that stated that the very rich Indian people do not pay anywhere as near as much tax as they should (legal loopholes etc ). So why is India getting so much aid from us? .
Sorry if this offends anybody.
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Sorry if this offends anybody.
Are you? I wouldn't be.