Srinagar, July 1 -- Poverty is not merely about income-it is about choices, dignity, and opportunity.

In the picturesque valleys and rugged mountains of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K), the conversation about poverty often takes a backseat to politics, conflict, or infrastructure development. Yet, as policymakers and economists have long argued, no region can hope for peace or progress without addressing the economic deprivation that touches the lives of its most vulnerable.

Drawing inspiration from Martin Ravallion's landmark book The Economics of Poverty, this article explores how poverty is defined, measured, and addressed-globally and in the specific context of J&K. Ravallion's work offers not just theory but a call to action: understand po...