The Vicious Cycle of Malnutrition
It is sad that among the world’s nations, India records the worst level of child malnutrition despite having the largest anti-malnutrition programme. Reportedly, more than 100 districts make India home to the largest number of malnourished children. Statistics from the National Family Health Survey (NFHS) reveals that 48 per cent or 61 million, under-five children in the country are stunted; 43 per cent or 53 million are under-weight, and nearly 20 per cent or 25 million are wasted with low weight for height.
Scientists say the initial 1000 days of an individual’s lifespan, from the day of conception till he or she turns two, is crucial for physical and cognitive development. But, more than half of the women of child bearing age are anaemic and 33 per cent are undernourished, according to NFHS 2006 statistics. Over the years India has become home to the largest number of malnourished children.
Despite states with a high burden of malnutrition having the public distribution system in place to ensure that the poor get food-grains at subsidised rates, frequent child deaths are reported due to malnutrition. According to the Registrar General of India, under-five mortality in India is 59 per 1000 live births, which is one of the highest in the world.
Also in 2012, Save the Children, the London based non-profit organisation, reported that 1.83 million Indian children die every year before the age of five, and pinned malnutrition as the prime reason for the death. These findings indicate that India is dangerously slipping into a vicious cycle of malnutrition. So we must devise a comprehensive plan to tackle this burning issue. It is better if the government and the civil society come together to take the initiative in this regard.
Ranganathan Sivakumar
Chennai, Tamil Nadu
India-China Diminishing Trust Levels
We see that even after one year of bloody clashes at the border, there is no perceptible change in the ties between the two countries. A year after the simmering Sino-Indian face off in Eastern Ladakh and deadly confrontation at Galway, the former still remains tense. While a temporary truce has been achieved on the volatile northern and southern banks of the Pangong Tso, Chinese troops are very much around at Hot Spring, Gogra, Dersingham plains and Demchock.
The two countries are locked in a military-diplomatic dialogue to resolve the crisis but the progress is painfully slow. Thus, needless to say, the India-China relations are at crossroads today. The situation at present has become diametrically opposite from a position where India and China were planning to conduct 70 events to celebrate the 70th anniversary of establishing diplomatic relations between them, to a situation where both countries are staring down at each other.
Nazeer Ahmed Kazi
Prof Secab
Vijaypur, Karnataka
Knesset Votes in New Coalition Government
After four consecutive elections in Israel in just two years, Knesset voted in the new coalition government. In this game, the support by Mansoor Abbas’s party, United Arab List (which is also known as Ra’am in Hebrew) to 8-party coalition led by Laftalin played a key role. However, Abbas supported the coalition without seeking any portfolio in the ministry.
This proves some facts about democracy. First, in democracy no party having opposite ideology can come together and form a government with some hesitation. Secondly, may be you have little number of seat but you can play a significant role in forming a government. This means if you are in minority in a country, you must come together in political mainstream with strictly own agenda. Thirdly, you must attempt to solve your problems by political participation or dialogue not the other way till when other options open the wings.
Dr. M Alam
Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh