Words Vikas Parashram Meshram

India, one of the largest democracies in the world, sees a surge in political discourse during election time. Political parties showcase their development work, run intense campaigns, and leave no stone unturned to secure votes. However, amidst this frenzy, many critical social issues are often neglected. One such significant issue is India’s declining position in the Global Hunger Index (GHI), a reality that points to the serious problem of hunger affecting millions of people.

The Global Hunger Index is an internationally recognized indicator used to measure hunger levels across countries. It evaluates four key factors: undernourishment, child wasting (low weight for height), child stunting (low height for age), and child mortality. Based on these factors, the GHI score is calculated, and countries are ranked accordingly.

In India, election seasons heat up the political atmosphere, with every party working hard to attract voters. However, in the rush to gain votes, crucial issues like hunger and malnutrition often go unnoticed. The 2024 Global Hunger Index report received insufficient attention amidst the election fervor. While political leaders talk about development, they often ignore the severe issue of malnutrition. Huge sums of money are spent on political campaigns, but the same focus and expenditure are missing for health, education, and nutrition, leaving the general populace deprived of the real benefits of development.

According to the 2024 Global Hunger Index, India ranks 105th out of 127 countries. The list, prepared annually by ‘Welthungerhilfe’, a leading German private aid organization, and Concern Worldwide, excludes developed countries and focuses on developing and middle-income nations. This list is based on child mortality data, aiming to track which countries need improvements in specific areas. India’s ranking is dismal compared to neighboring countries like Sri Lanka (56th), Nepal (68th), and Myanmar (74th). While China stands far ahead as a global leader in combating hunger, India’s position as a “Vishwa Guru” (world leader) seems far from reality when scrutinized through these numbers.

Another striking fact is that Bangladesh, which is often criticized for alleged infiltration into India, ranks 84th—far ahead of India. It is embarrassing that India, despite its nationalist rhetoric, lags behind on such critical issues. However, for the so-called nationalists, the one consolation might be that Pakistan ranks lower than India at 109th, and Afghanistan is even worse off at 116th. These two nations, marred by political and economic instability, are on a downward spiral, so comparing India to them might bring some comfort. Yet, neighboring countries like Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh are improving rapidly, whereas India’s efforts, especially post-COVID-19, have significantly slowed down, and accurate data collection is lacking.

The report states that India, along with Pakistan and Afghanistan, remains at a ‘serious’ level of hunger with a score of 27.3 in the Global Hunger Index 2024. India’s malnutrition rate is 13.7%, meaning a significant portion of the population suffers from malnutrition. Among children under the age of five, the stunting rate remains alarmingly high at 35.5%, while 18.7% of children experience wasting. The child mortality rate in India is estimated to be 2.9%.

This situation persists despite previous government efforts such as the rural employment guarantee scheme under the UPA government to combat the negative effects of the new economic policies. In addition, multiple government programs, such as the Anganwadi scheme to support maternal and child health, and the mid-day meal scheme in primary schools, have been implemented to tackle hunger and malnutrition. However, reports of improper implementation, such as serving rice with just hot water in place of nutritious meals, continue to surface, with little to no response from the government.

The hunger issue is not just about food scarcity; it is also rooted in inadequate food distribution, healthcare, and education systems. Malnutrition rates are higher in rural areas where awareness about nutrition and access to healthcare are lacking. Tribal and Dalit communities are among the most affected by this issue. Women’s malnutrition and high infant mortality rates are also major causes of hunger in India. When women do not receive proper nutrition, their children are also at risk of malnutrition. The failure to deliver the benefits of government schemes to the common people exacerbates the problem. Rural populations still lack adequate healthcare and education facilities, which further contributes to malnutrition.

On the contrary, the government’s approach to suppressing reports by journalists on this issue, through police pressure, has worsened the situation, with malnutrition and hunger continuing in remote areas. In recent times, it has become evident that states distributing cash under schemes like ‘Ladli Behan’ leave little to no funds for welfare programs.

By adopting the short-sighted policy of “move ahead, leave behind”, both state governments and the central government, led by Modi, have only increased poverty and hunger, rather than reducing them. The consequences of this will be felt in the coming years, as India’s deteriorating position in the Global Hunger Index reveals the reality of the nation’s development. The world will also take note of where India stands, posing a question: In what area have we truly led globally?

India’s declining position in the Global Hunger Index is a serious warning that cannot be ignored. The problem is not just about statistics but about the lives of millions of people in the country. While political speeches during elections may talk about development, the central government urgently needs to focus on these pressing social issues. There must be a commitment to implementing schemes more effectively and ensuring that all citizens receive the benefits they deserve.

To improve India’s standing in the Global Hunger Index, it is imperative that these problems are addressed. The government needs to take immediate steps, including improving food distribution systems, strengthening the public distribution system (PDS), and introducing special programs to ensure proper nutrition for women and children. Anganwadi and mid-day meal schemes must become more effective, especially in rural and tribal areas where malnutrition is most prevalent. Farmers should be given the necessary support, and these communities must be linked with global health standards to expand healthcare services.

Raising awareness about malnutrition is essential. Women, mothers, and adolescent girls must be educated about their health needs. By teaching farmers about biodiversity-based farming systems, we can improve both nutrition and food production, leading to more nutritious food and helping combat malnutrition. Social development should not be reduced to a mere electoral issue but should become a topic that genuinely brings about change in people’s lives. Every government decision and policy must focus on addressing hunger and malnutrition immediately and over the long term to truly guide India towards development.