The recently released Global Hunger Index (GHI) has once again highlighted India's dismal performance in addressing hunger and malnutrition. With a ranking of 105, India finds itself in the uncomfortable company of nations struggling with conflict, poverty, and poor governance. The scorecard for the 127 nations analysed ranges from “low” to “extremely alarming”. While India is in the "serious" category it might as well be considered “extremely alarming” if one considers various other relevant factors. It also establishes the abject and systemic failure by the Indian state to address the most basic of human needs — of adequate food and nutrition that are essential to reap the benefits of the much touted ‘demographic dividend’. The GHI score is calculated based on four indicators: undernourishment, child wasting, child stunting, and child mortality. India's score of 19.1 indicates a "serious" level of hunger, with 14.8% of the population struggling with undernourishment. Child wasting and stunting rates stand at 20.8% and 35.5%, respectively, while child mortality rates remain high at 3.4%.
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The anomalies revealed are astonishing. The world’s fastest-growing economy with an estimated gross domestic product of almost $4 trillion has 200 million citizens — the size of the population of Brazil — who are undernourished. India's economic growth story is often touted as a success, with the country emerging as the fifth-largest economy globally. However, this growth has not translated into equitable distribution of resources or effective social welfare programmes. The persistence of hunger and malnutrition alongside economic growth underscores the need for a more nuanced understanding of development. The country’s hunger crisis is not uniform, with certain regions and communities bearing the brunt. Rural areas, tribal populations, and marginalised groups such as Dalits and Adivasis suffer disproportionately. Women and children are particularly vulnerable, with 53% of women aged 15-49 years anemic, according to the National Family Health Survey (NFHS)-5. The Indian government has launched several initiatives aimed at addressing hunger and malnutrition, including National Food Security Act (NFSA), 2013, Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) scheme, Pradhan Mantri Poshan Shakti Nirman (PM-Poshan) programme. However, implementation challenges, funding constraints, and inefficiencies plague these initiatives. Corruption, lack of awareness, and inadequate infrastructure further exacerbate the problem.
Before the rank goes into a dipping spiral, it is imperative to strengthen and expand social welfare programmes, ensuring last-mile delivery and adequate funding; promote sustainable agriculture practices, supporting small farmers and focusing on nutrient-rich crops; address regional disparities through targeted interventions and capacity building; enhance nutrition education and awareness, particularly among vulnerable groups and encourage private sector participation in addressing hunger and malnutrition. India's ranking in the Global Hunger Index serves as a wake-up call. Economic growth alone cannot eradicate hunger; equitable distribution of resources, effective social welfare programmes, and a multifaceted approach are essential. As India strives to become a global leader, it must prioritise the well-being of its most vulnerable citizens. As citizens, we must demand more from our leaders. We must recognise the human cost of hunger and malnutrition and advocate for policy changes that prioritise the most vulnerable. Together, we can ensure that India's growth story is one of inclusive development, where no one goes hungry. The time to act is now.