After the release of the Global
Hunger Index, the opponents of both – the Modi government and the Bharatiya
Janata Party have, as usual, started spreading propaganda based on insufficient
information. The congregation, that has taken up the task of defaming the Modi
government and the Bharatiya Janata Party through various means, have once
again used this data as per their convenience. Instead of understanding the
method used to determine this index and the parameters used to come up with the
findings, these people, only to express their anger and malice against the Modi
government and the Bharatiya Janata Party, have rushed to conclusions based on
insufficient data.
Currently, many forces seem to be
working in connivance with each other to tarnish India’s image of being a
country that is emerging as a strong and a prosperous nation in the global
perspective. These forces have misused the findings of this report to their
advantage to satiate their itch to malign the Modi government. Since the
methodology used to prepare this report was flawed, it is expected that the
report prepared on that basis is definitely bound to be far from reality and
facts. This survey asked eight questions and the index was determined based on
the answers submitted by 3,000 respondents. In fact, to come up with the Global
Hunger Index, a scientific measurement of malnutrition was necessary which
compiles data of children after considering their weight and height. But
instead of undergoing this process, the index was determined in an absurd
manner by taking responses from people over the telephone.
During the Corona pandemic period,
a large section of the country’s labour class – the daily wage earners, the
workers, the small businessmen and the small entrepreneurs were reeling under
severe hunger crisis. In order to curb the spread of the pandemic, imposing
complete lockdown was inevitable. Unfortunately, during this lockdown, these
daily wage earners, who lead a hand-to-mouth life, were severely affected.
During this period, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had introduced the Pradhan
Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana keeping this section of people in mind. Under
this scheme, 5 kgs each of wheat, rice and pulses were distributed free of cost
to the poor and the deprived sections of the society to save them from
starvation. Even the World Bank had taken note of this scheme introduced by the
Modi government. While the opposition parties demanded that the poor and
deprived be given financial assistance, the Modi government, instead, laid
priority on feeding their bellies. Those countries that focused on generating
more currency to help the underprivileged are currently reeling under severe
economic crisis. Well, that is a separate subject all together. This index
which is based on wrong criteria is definitely a part of the campaign initiated
to malign India’s image on the global platform.
The Modi government is ensuring
people’s security and also their nutritional needs through its Garib Kalyan
Anna Yojana. This scheme has so far benefitted over 80 crore people. But the
report does not take into consideration these facts and is only trying to paint
a fake image of the country. The index is determined based on four crucial
factors – malnutrition, stunted child growth, undernourishment and child
mortality. Of these, stunted child growth and child mortality are not related
to hunger directly. Heredity, environment and hygiene are some of the factors
that are related to stunted growth and child mortality.
Has there been any study to identify the number of malnourished children out of
the total population of the country? What is the prevalence of stunted growth
in children under 5 years of age? What is the mortality rate of children in
this age group and how many suffer from stunted growth? Evaluating the data on
all these parameters is necessary to ensure that the index is a scientific
measurement of malnutrition.
It has been observed that in India,
of the above mentioned four factors taken as basis for this index, infant
mortality and stunted growth are gradually improving. But this report seems to
have ignored this fact and has been prepared by obtaining responses by talking
to a sample of 3,000 respondents over the telephone. Considering the huge
population of India, the surveying machinery did not seem to realise that 3,000
interview samples will be not be sufficient. What is astounding is that the
report claims that Nepal and Pakistan are followed by India. Well, we often
hear and see the plight of the common people in Pakistan being reported in the
news. In such a situation, anyone will wonder from where does Pakistan get its
food supplies to feed its poor. Same is the case with Nepal as well. It will
not be appropriate to question on what criteria have both these countries got a
better ranking than India. Whenever Pakistan is hit by a natural disaster, the
country looks forward for help from India. Last year, when a natural calamity
struck Nepal, it was India that had extended all possible help to this neighbour.
Against this backdrop it is
difficult to believe that Nepal and Pakistan are ahead of India in the Global
Hunger Index. Our central government purchases large quantum of foodgrains. The
Modi government, in fact, has made a record purchase of foodgrains. The Pradhan
Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana started during the Corona period is being
continued till date by the Modi government. It is unlikely that the governments
of Pakistan and Nepal would have funds to implement such schemes in their
respective countries. Also, the Indian Council of Medical Research has clearly
stated that the criteria used to determine this Global Hunger Index is
absolutely inappropriate. The conditions, food habits, climate differs in every
country. And hence every country must have a separate criterion for determining
the hunger index. It is surprising to know that the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan
Anna Yojana was not even considered while compiling this report. The report is
trying to prove that India is not capable to feed its population. What can be
more unfortunate than politicising the issue of hunger?
(Article Pre-Published in Times of India Online – 24 Oct.2022)
Keshav Upadhye, Chief Spokesperson
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