III. Go through the following situations and find the main cause of poverty. Also suggest two ways to abolish their poverty. 1. Irshad Sheikh is a very talented artisan living in the village of Daulatpur. He earns his living by selling various decorative items of pottery that have a good demand in the nearby village. However, his income is irregular. Thus, he cannot plan and there are months when he finds it extremely difficult to survive.
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Answer:
In the case of Irshad Sheikh, the main cause of poverty appears to be income instability due to irregular earnings. This is a common situation for many artisans and individuals involved in seasonal or irregular income-generating activities.
Two ways to help alleviate Irshad's poverty:
1. **Diversify Income Streams:** Irshad could consider diversifying his income sources. In addition to pottery, he might explore related skills or crafts, potentially even branching out to create items that have a more consistent year-round demand. This could help smooth out his income fluctuations.
2. **Microfinance and Savings Groups:** Irshad could consider joining a microfinance group or a savings cooperative with other local artisans. These groups provide financial support, access to loans, and financial literacy training. By participating in such groups, he could better manage his finances and invest in his pottery business during the off-season to generate more stable income.
Additionally, the government and local authorities could support artisans like Irshad by providing training and access to markets, enabling them to sell their products more consistently, and offering financial safety nets for the periods when their income is low.