Record 13 million Indians stand against poverty
Over 38.7 million people worldwide have broken the Guinness World Record set last year at 23.5 million for the largest number of people to Stand Up and Speak Out Against Poverty in 24 hours.
The Stand Up, Speak Out has been a global anti-poverty initiative taken by the United Nations Millennium Campaign and the Global Call to Action against Poverty (GCAP), with the support of their many partners. People across 114 countries, from all walks of life came together in their schools, workplaces, and streets, houses of worship, at sports and cultural events and at public landmarks to exhibit their oneness for the cause of eradicating poverty and for the Millennium Development Goals. Millions stood and spoke out to demand a more urgent political response to the growing crisis of global poverty and inequality.
Salil Shetty credited the success of the campaign to its grassroots nature that has helped to reach out the issue of MDGs to more people than ever before. The Stand Up, Speak Out event has been a day when we see the visibility of the campaign, he said. Kumo Naidoo said the first time participation by people has been inspirational while expressing his hope for even more numbers in the future so that no government can ignore the demands of the people. The Art of Living Foundation's three-month old partnership with the Millennium Campaign alone led to 6.5 million people partcipating in Stand Up events across 50 countries, with another 6 million in India. Over 40,000 people took the pledge to end poverty at the Bangalore Ashram, along with revered spiritual guru Sri Sri Ravi Shankar. The act of standing up is but a simple act, said Minar Pimple. The challenge for Asia now lies in carrying forward the policies of each country towards the MDGs, he added. |
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