R. Vashistha
India has
scored dismally low in Global Hunger Index (GHI), 2016. Out of 118 countries
for which index has been prepared India ranks 97. We rank even below some of
our neighboring countries such as Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Nepal.
The
International Food Policy Research Institute ( IFPRI ) makes an annual
calculation of GHI. It is calculated by taking into account four
parameters------share of undernourished population, wasted children aged under
5, stunted children aged under 5 and mortality rate of the children aged
under5.
According to
GHI, 2016, the share of undernourished population in India is as high as 15%.
Wasting refers to low weights in relation to a child’s height and stunting
refers to deficiency in height in relation to age. 15% Wasted children and 39% stunted children
aged under five i has been found. Mortality rate of children aged under five is
4.8% as per GHI,2016.
Despite the
fact that India has been running PDS and two specific programme----ICDS &
MDM for children, hunger and mal-nutrition seems to be haunting India
incessantly. Endemic poverty, unemployment , lack of sanitation and clean
drinking water and lack of effective health- care are the major factors
responsible for this sorry state of affairs.
