India 97th among 118 countries in Global Hunger Index; MP worse off
BHOPAL: A seminar on food and nutrition safety in the state was organised here on Friday on the occasion of World Food Day.
The speakers in the seminar said that children are dying from malnutrition in the state and at the same time, the state is being awarded ‘Krishi Karman Award’ for bumper food production. The benefit of development is not reaching the deprived and they are starving. The implementation of schemes related to social security has come to a halt. India’s position in global hunger index is not encouraging and the condition of Madhya Pradesh is worse.
The seminar was organised under the aegis of Welt Hunger Hilf, Samarthan, Mahatma Gandhi Seva Ashram, Darshana and Ekjut.
Dr Ransingh Parmar, presiding over the programme, said malnutrition is severe among SCs and STs in the state. The recommendations for dealing with malnutrition are not being implemented and so also schemes related to social security.
Shubhankar Chatterjee of Welt Hunger Hilf, releasing Global Hunger Index, said India stands at 97th position among 118 countries. As high as 15.2 per cent of Indian population is malnourished and 4.8 per cent children die before their fifth birthday.
Dr Yogesh Kumar of Samarthan said the problem can be solved by strengthening the local self-government. Dr Amita Singh said there is a need to promote food available at the local level.
