According to the latest research, out of 4.2 million, an estimated 6.5 per cent Indian-Americans live below the poverty line and due to the Covid-19 pandemic poverty among members of this community is expected to become more prominent.

Devesh Kapur and Jashan Bajwaat of Johns Hopkins’ had conducted a research titled -“A study of poverty in the Indian American Population”. The study which involved Paul Nitze School of Advanced International Studies, was released during the Indiaspora Philanthropy Summit 2020 on Thursday.

Kapur stated that among the Bengali and Punjabi speaking Indian Americans, the prevalence of poverty is greater.

MR Rangaswami, founder of Indiaspora stated that with this report, attention is being drawn to the plight of the most underprivileged Indian Americans.

Rangaswami further added that with COVID-19 wrecking health and economic havoc, this is an appropriate moment to raise awareness and discuss the issue of poverty that exists in the otherwise affluent community. It is hoped that the report will lead to an increased focus on this topic, followed by targeted measures to make a positive difference.

According to Kapur, this study gives a detailed analysis of the impoverished populations of the Indian American community. As per the study, he further added that, as compared to white, Black and Hispanic Americans, Indian Americans are still less likely to be living in poverty.