Just a few years ago, as per the Global Hunger Index report, India was ranked 55th among 120 countries with a score of 17.8.
2023 – India is 111th among 125 countries, with a score of 28.7, as per the same GHI report.
What this means at all –
There are some humanistic approaches and motives with which a government works.
The conclusive governance ensures an exclusively inclusive society with a keen eye on improving its citizens’ lives and living standards.
Whatever way of governing in any part of the world, leaders must prioritize their work, starting with actual citizens.
But before criticizing a government, we must know something about Hunger, Food availability, Nutrition, Balanced meals, Minimum requirements of our body to sustain, etc.
Being touted as an incredible machine, the human body is the most valuable gift of God.
The human body needs a healthy diet to maintain, manage, and perform all the duties assigned to it.
A healthy or balanced diet comprises seven essential factors, – Carbohydrates, Fat, Fiber, Protein, Vitamins, Minerals, and Water.
Any government that takes an oath to rule the country has a moral responsibility to provide infrastructure to meet the physical needs of the citizens without any discrimination.
India and agriculture – Providing proper food after her independence –
India is an agriculture-based country with almost 70% of the population directly and indirectly involved.
Without mentioning India’s condition and position in agriculture at the time of her independence, one can write an entire encyclopedia about the revolutionary agricultural developments in India after 1947.
Yes, this is true. We survived and excelled with sheer dedication, resilience, and the urge to provide proper food to our citizens.
At present, India is the second largest producer of major food staples.
Then why such a gloomy picture of hunger in India –
India, with a population of about 1.428 billion, the task of providing a simple two time meal to each and everyone is difficult as India is still lagging behind due to other issues like corruption, inflation, unemployment, and incapable political leaders.
Political will and efficient policies are the backbone of the execution of public welfare schemes.
Giving decent jobs to eligible persons is a government duty.
An effectively systematic workforce of any country contributes to development indices.
With a population share of about 66%, India has the largest youth population. Yet 42% of the youth below the age of 35 are unemployed in the country.
The high unemployment rate is pushing them to do trivial jobs to survive.
Lack of decent jobs and rising living costs give sleepless nights to a large section of any country.
It is happening in many countries that are either on the list of developing countries or on the list of under-developed.
High infant mortality rates, high maternal mortality rates, high malnutrition rates, and high poverty rates are real threats to the whole humanity concept.
National Food Security Act, (2013 and 2023) is also known as the Right To Food Act in India.
World Food Day –
It might be an intensely stressful time on the world front, as at the time of writing this article, the Israel-Palestine war is going on, and the world is worried about its consequences.
Many countries are facing problems of illegal immigrants and refugees.
The United Nations is entitled to take initiatives for the world as it deserves.
But the reality is that this is not happening now.
16th of October is celebrated as World Food Day to commemorate the founding of the United Nations Food And Agriculture Organization in 1945.
- The irony is that about 10% of the World population regularly sleeps on an empty stomach.
- The irony is that the World produces and procures enough for everyone.
- The irony is that the rich become despondent because of their larger share of fortune while the poor suffer more than they can bear.
- The irony is that underdeveloped countries are producing enough food grains, only to export them to developed countries.
- The irony is that corruption and illegal hoarding of food staples are increasing day by day.
- The irony is that we are scaling high beyond the universe, and at the ground, our new generation is witnessing the worst days of their lives because of acute hunger.
- The irony is that powerful countries are selling their products at higher rates to developing and underdeveloped countries.
- The irony is that everyone seems to be a preacher of humanity and humility while ignoring all the facts and factors to reinstate faith in humanity.
Hunger is not an issue of charity. It is an issue of justice.
Jacques Diouf
This is a sad picture of the real world, far away from the glittering world of wealth.
An equal society, a just society, a livable society – If we want anything close to this, we have to put aside our inhibitions, assumptions, and objections.
The hungry do not ask for sermons; poetry cannot quench the thirst of the thirsty.
