Understanding The Indian Hunger

Once the famous Brazilian educator and philosopher Paulo Freire said,"The world is split between those who do not sleep because they are hungry and those who do not sleep because they are afraid of those who are hungry." So there is indeed a dire need to bridge the split. The only bridge that can be effectively built is that of food security. The goal of sustainable development can be achieved only by ensuring food for every people in the world. The prerequisite to this achievement needs a comprehensive measurement of hunger. The Global Hunger Index attempts to measure the state of hunger and express it in numerical form of data. The Global Hunger Index attempts to measure and track hunger globally as well as by region and country. 

What is GHI?

The Index was first published in 2006 by the US based International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) and German based Welthungrhilfe. Later in 2007 an Irish NGO Concern Worldwide also became a co-publisher. In 2018 the IFPRI withdrew itself from the project and GHI became a joint project of Welthungerhilfe. and Concern Worldwide. This year The  Institute for International Law of Peace and Armed Conflict (IFHV) based in Bochum,Germany also collaborated this project. The 19th edition Global Hunger Index (GHI) has been published recently. The 2024 report is not directly comparable to that of 2023 as there are some changes in methodology and revised data. So the report provides comparative data of 2000, 2008, 2016 and 2024. 

What is Hunger?

According to GHI Report hunger is understood by referring to the distress associated with a lack of sufficient calories. The Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) of the UN defines food deprivation or undernourishment as the habitual consumption of the few calories to provide the minimum dietary energy required by an individual to live a healthy and protective life, as per his/her age, sex, stature and physical activity level. 

How GHI is Measured? 

The GHI is calculated on the basis of a set of globally agreed parameters and relies heavily on data in public domain, supplied by the United Nations and other multilateral agencies. It combines multiple indicators to offer a multidimensional perspective on hunger. There are mainly four focal points- a) Undernourishment of Population, b) Child wasting, c) Child Stunting and d) Child Mortality.  On the basis of these parameters a scale of 100 is prepared and the countries those score less are better placed in the rankings. The least is the best. According to their score countries are broadly classified into five categories. If GHI score is 0-9.9 countries are placed in Low category, scores between 10-19.9 countries are placed in Moderate category,  scores between 20-34.9 is placed in Serious category, scores between 35- 49.9 is placed in Alarming category and scores of 50 or above is categorised as Very Alarming. According to recent report there are 51 countries in Low category, 37 in Moderate category, 36 in Serious category, 6 countries in Serious category and there is no country in Extremely Alarming category.   

Where is India?

The recent GHI has placed India with 27.3 score in 105th spot among 127 countries, If we compare with its previous score we can surely conclude that the country has improved a lot. In 2000 the score was 38.4, in 2008 it  was 35.2 and in 2016 the score was 29.3. India has shown significant improvement in the area of child mortality rate. It has declined since 2000. But the major area of concern is child undernutrition. Both wasting and stunting rates are alarmingly high. Around 35.5% children under the age of five are stunted while 18.7% suffer from wasting. These data clearly show that children lack adequate nutrition during the period of their growth. These indicators need immediate response to improve.  

Why It Matters?

In recent times India has shown its strong aspiration to become a superpower at the global level. Its neighbouring countries  like China, Pakistan, Bangladesh are still a cause of concern for its external security. Therefore it has to maintain internal security by ensuring food security for all. Furthermore the image of India at the global level is marred at such case. But most importantly the growth story of India comes before a glaring question: Is the country moving towards right direction of development? 

If we measure the growth of Indian economy in terms of GDP we can surely satisfy our patriotism by seeing our country as the fifth largest economy in the world. India has achieved a GDP growth rate of 6.8% placing itself just after US, China, Germany and Japan. But if we consider the per capita GDP, India is far behind, so is in the GHI. China ranked in the 1st place with other 21 countries. Brazil is on the 33 rank. India's neighbours like Sri Lanka is on the 56 and Nepal is on the 68 rank.

The Government of India has launched several programmes to combat the problems. Public Distribution System (PDS), Mid-Day Meal Scheme (MDM), Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) , National Food Security Act (NFSA) are to name a few. But despite these initiative there remains formidable challenges like- implementation gaps, rural-urban divide, gender discrimination, climate change and most importantly public awareness and education. 

India's hunger index reflects a pressing need for action. Addressing hunger is not just a matter of food supply but requires integrated approach focusing health, education and economic empowerment of women and backward classes. The journey towards a hunger free India is not an impossible dream, it is a path worth pursuing for the health and prosperity of future generations.