Hindu Editorial Analysis : 4-May-2024

India has made significant strides in reducing poverty, lifting 135 million people out of it between 2015-16 and 2019-21. However, the issue of malnutrition remains a pressing challenge, especially among children.

India’s Achievements in Poverty Reduction

  • Poverty Reduction:
    • From over 80% in extreme poverty at independence, today, this figure is about 15% according to the Multi-dimensional Poverty Index (MDPI).
    • The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) estimates that India lifted 415 million people out of poverty between 2005-06 and 2019-21.
    • India is on track to nearly eliminate poverty in the next five to ten years.
  • Food Availability:
    • The Green Revolution transformed India into a major rice exporter and allowed the government to provide free grains to over 800 million people through the PM Garib Kalyan Yojana.
    • The White Revolution made India the largest producer of milk, surpassing the United States.

Challenges: The Malnutrition Crisis

Despite successes in poverty alleviation, malnutrition poses serious challenges:

  • Child Malnutrition:
    • According to the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5), 32% of children are underweight, 35% are stunted, and 19% are wasted.
    • Although infant mortality has decreased, other malnutrition indicators show limited progress.
  • Climate Change:
    • Increasing climate variability threatens food systems and could reverse poverty gains.
  • Non-Communicable Diseases:
    • Rising health issues, like heart diseases, are linked to poor diet and nutrition among the growing middle class.

Causes of Malnutrition

  • Calorific Deficiency:
    • Even with food surplus, improper allocation leads to calorific deficiency. Budget allocations are often underutilized.
  • Protein Deficiency:
    • Pulses could help address protein needs, but budgetary support is lacking. Eggs are often missing from school meals.
  • Micronutrient Deficiency:
    • “Hidden hunger” due to poor diets affects many, especially pregnant women.

Suggestions for Improvement

  • Access to Nutritious Food:
    • Elevate the importance of nutritious food for young children in policies.
  • Improved Assessments:
    • Use household-level food insecurity assessments to measure food insecurity across India.
  • Evidence-Based Policy:
    • Focus on measuring the availability and affordability of nutritious food for vulnerable populations.
  • Strategic Initiatives:
    • Building on the PM Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana, a focused initiative is needed to ensure access to diverse and nutritious food for children.

Government Interventions

The Indian government has launched several initiatives to combat malnutrition:

  • Eat Right India Movement: Promotes healthier eating habits.
  • POSHAN Abhiyan: Aims to reduce stunting and undernutrition among children and women.
  • Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana: Provides maternity benefits to support mothers.
  • Food Fortification: Adds essential vitamins and minerals to staple foods.
  • National Food Security Act, 2013: Ensures subsidized food for a large portion of the population.
  • Mission Indradhanush: Focuses on immunizing children against preventable diseases.
  • Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS): Offers various services for children and mothers.

Why In News

India lifted 135 million people out of poverty; however, malnutrition remains an onerous challenge, posing significant risks to the health and development of vulnerable populations, particularly children.

MCQs about India’s Fight Against Poverty and Malnutrition

  1. What percentage of the Indian population was in extreme poverty when the country gained independence?
    A. 15%
    B. 32%
    C. 80%
    D. 11%
    Correct Answer: C. 80%
    Explanation: At the time of independence, more than 80% of the Indian population lived in extreme poverty, whereas today this figure is about 15%.
  2. Which of the following initiatives focuses on reducing malnutrition among women and children in India?
    A. National Food Security Act
    B. Eat Right India Movement
    C. POSHAN Abhiyan
    D. Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi
    Correct Answer: C. POSHAN Abhiyan
    Explanation: POSHAN Abhiyan aims to reduce stunting and undernutrition among young children and women, addressing malnutrition directly.
  3. What is one of the main causes of calorific deficiency in India, despite the government having a food surplus?
    A. Lack of agricultural productivity
    B. Improper allocation and distribution of food
    C. High population growth
    D. Limited access to healthcare
    Correct Answer: B. Improper allocation and distribution of food
    Explanation: Calorific deficiency arises because, despite having a surplus of food grains, improper allocation and distribution lead to insufficient access for those in need.
  4. Which revolution transformed India into the largest exporter of rice?
    A. White Revolution
    B. Gene Revolution
    C. Green Revolution
    D. Blue Revolution
    Correct Answer: C. Green Revolution
    Explanation: The Green Revolution turned India from a “ship-to-mouth” economy into the largest exporter of rice, significantly improving food availability and security.

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