by A. J. PHILIP
We all see the poor every day and it does not need a Ph.D from Oxford University to recognise them. Yet, for decades economists the world over have been debating about how poverty can be measured and the people classified as poor and very poor. Few others are qualified to undertake this task as Sabina Alkire, who has been a regular visitor to India for the last 10 years.
When I met her first, I realised we had some common areas of interest. She has an interest in theology, both Christian and Islamic, though none of us pursues it the way theologians do. Another common love was for Gilgit in Pakistan where she spent a few weeks and I a couple of days. It is one of the most exotic places in the world and I would jump at the first available opportunity to go there. So would Sabina.
While visiting Pakistan is more a dream for me, she was there last fortnight attending a conference organised by a think tank in Islamabad. She is alover of Pakistan but this time she found that the Pakistanis were thoroughly disappointed with the way the country was managed. Unlike many in India, she will not say that the “land of the pure” is a failed state.
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