Millions live in poverty in India's slums

Earlier this year, the Indian government launched a bold, multi-million dollar scheme to tackle rural poverty. Backed by law, it guarantees one hundred days work a year or every rural household, manual work at the minimum wage.

Critics say corruption and bad governance mean it is unlikely to work. Two months after the launch, Jill McGivering has travelled in northern India to see if it is working.

Part 1 - India's Poverty

India is seeing steady growth rates of around seven per cent; but much of the new wealth being generated is concentrated in the hands of a small urban minority.

	Wealthy Indians have developed a taste for restaurants

The gap between rich and poor is steadily growing. The government is under increasing pressure to find ways of bridging it. In the second of two reports, Jill McGivering looks at the difficulties faced by India's poor as they struggle to become part of the new economy.

Part 2 - India's Rural Education

First Broadcast 19th - 20th April 2006