The Indian state of Karnataka is often hailed as an example of India’s economic development success. The state’s capital, Bangalore, is home to several thousand IT firms, and the district includes several of the country’s top universities. The regions of the Karnatak state in which Jana Jagaran works, however, are predominantly underdeveloped. In Belgaum district, 76 percent of the population is rural, 43 percent of the economy is agricultural and the literacy rate is only 14 percent. Kolhapur district is 70 percent rural and 65 percent of the workforce is primarily engaged in agriculture. As the farming industry is climate dependant, it often proves to be an unreliable source of income for rural families in this community.

[1] “Official Website of Belgaum District,” [http://belgaum.nic.in/stat.html].

Woven jute bags

Jute is the second most commonly used natural fiber—after cotton. In the United States, jute is perhaps most widely known as the material from which burlap is made. The plant grows predominantly in India and several other Southeast Asia countries. Artisans soak the plant’s stalks in running water, stripping off the outer layers and pulling out the fibers for weaving. Jute cloth has historically been an integral part of daily life in many parts of India, as villagers often sew clothing and make utilitarian items from the fabric. Jana Jagaran artisans modernize the traditional art form by sewing the cloth into contemporary bags and other products.

Region: South Asia

Capital: New Delhi

Population: 1,173,108,018, 2nd highest in the world (2010)

Size: Slightly more than one-third the size of the U.S.

Languages: English enjoys the status of subsidiary official language but is the most important language for national, political, and commercial communication; Hindi is the most widely spoken language and primary tongue of 41% of the people; there are 14 other official languages

Major religion(s): Hindu (80.5%), Muslim (13.4%), Christian (2.3%), Sikh (1.9%), other

Literacy: Total 61%; Male 73.4%; Female 47.8%

Population below poverty line: 25% (2004)

Maternal mortality ratio: Lifetime risk of death in childbirth 1 in 70

Economic growth rate: 6.5%, 12th highest in the world

Economic participation and opportunity: 127th worst country for women (out of 128)

Did You Know: The classic children's game Snakes and Ladders was created in the 13th century by Indian poet Gyandev! It was known there by various names, including Parama Padam and Mokshapat. Originally, the ladders represented virtues and the snakes, vices.

All statistics from CIA World Factbook 2010, UNICEF, and the Global Gender Gap Report 2007

India, known to many as the world's largest democracy, has made great advancements over the last decade. The economy is booming, the city of Mumbai is a global market hub, and a middle class is growing in urban centers. However, rural poverty remains widespread, and as rural migrants flock to the cities in search of work and income, urban slums are growing quickly.

Rural Poverty and Urbanization

Rural communities throughout India face a number of challenges. Heavily dependent on agriculture, farmers and their families suffer at the hands of natural causes such as drought and human-made triggers such as unfair global trade rules. Many farmers face crippling debts and have little opportunity for upward mobility. India's rapid population growth has become a burden on the country's environment and natural resources. The rural poor often choose to migrate to urban centers in search of work, leading to overcrowding in cities and deteriorating infrastructure in rural areas. Once living in urban areas, these migrants face myriad challenges looking for employment, finding shelter, and learning the language of the new region. Many continue to live without access to clean water or toilets. Health and sanitation services remain rudimentary in impoverished areas; because of this, India has the highest prevalence of tuberculosis of any nation and the second largest number of annual deaths from AIDS.

Women

India is also known for a history of discrimination against women. The prevalence of infanticide, the practice of killing girl babies, has created a gender imbalance in the population: 927 females to 1000 males. Women have less access to education and health services. Nearly three-quarters of men in India are literate, but only 47.8% of the women. This impacts women's ability to work, earn a stable income, and live independently. As India's economy improves, women in urban, upper-class communities are receiving greater access to education and human rights. Women in rural communities continue to be left behind, forced to remain in traditional gender roles.