The issue of hunger has been a pressing concern in India. Despite numerous initiatives and schemes designed to combat malnutrition and food insecurity, the country’s performance on the Global Hunger Index (GHI) reflects a grim reality. This article aims to explore the nuances of this pressing issue by delving into the Global Hunger Index, India’s ranking, various Government initiatives, and the challenges hindering progress.
Understanding the Global Hunger Index
The Global Hunger Index (GHI) is an annually published report by Concern Worldwide and Welthungerhilfe. It serves as a comprehensive tool that measures and tracks global, regional, and national levels of hunger. The index calculates each country’s score based on four indicators – undernourishment, child stunting, child wasting, and child mortality. A score closer to 0 indicates no hunger, while a score closer to 100 signals severe hunger.
India’s Position on the Global Hunger Index 2023
In the 2023 GHI, India’s position was an alarming 111th out of 125 countries, alluding to a serious level of hunger. This rank is worse than neighboring countries like Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, and Sri Lanka. India’s GHI score was 28.7, a slight improvement from its 2015 score of 29.2 but still considered serious.
Key Takeaways from GHI 2023: Analysis & Related Data
The report revealed extensive child stunting, with a prevalence of 35.5%. Other critical data include undernourishment at 16.6%, child wasting at 18.7% -the highest among all countries surveyed- and under-five mortality rate at 3.1%. The GHI 2023 report also attributed worldwide stagnation in reducing hunger to multiple crises, including climate change, conflicts, economic shocks, and the Covid-19 pandemic.
Indian Government’s Response to GHI Report 2023
The Indian Government expressed concerns over the report’s methodology and the accuracy of the indicators. They pointed out discrepancies in data, potential oversights regarding complex factors influencing hunger, and the small sample size used for the “Proportion of Undernourished Population” indicator.
Understanding Terminologies Related to Hunger
Key terms related to hunger include undernourishment, undernutrition, and famine. Understanding these can greatly enhance our comprehension of the multifaceted issues surrounding hunger on a global scale.
Factors Contributing to Hunger in India
Several factors contribute to hunger in India, including socioeconomic disparities, poverty, micronutrient deficiencies, inefficient agricultural practices, gender inequality, environmental stressors, and lack of nutritional program audits.
Government Initiatives to Combat Hunger
The Indian Government has undertaken numerous initiatives to address hunger. These include the Eat Right India Movement, POSHAN Abhiyan (National Nutrition Mission), Mid-day Meal (MDM) scheme, Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana, National Food Security Act, 2013, Mission Indradhanush, Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) Scheme, and PM Garib Kalyan Yojna.
A Look at Possible Solutions
Solutions for India’s hunger problem could lie in a number of strategic approaches. Implementing social audits of mid-day meal schemes, enhancing the Public Distribution System (PDS), reducing food waste, addressing inefficiencies in farming practices, and introducing mobile nutritional clinics are some measures that could be taken.
Previous Year’s Questions in UPSC Civil Services Examination
In previous years, the UPSC Civil Services Examination has featured questions on the Global Hunger Index and related issues, reflecting the relevance of this topic. Both prelims and mains have seen questions regarding the indicators used in the GHI, Food Security Bill, and its implications in WTO.
