Nutritional politics

Nutritional politics

Context

After more than a decade of discussions, there is no agreement on what to feed children in anganwadis

What has happened?

Data on malnutrition should serve as a wake-up call for the government: 38% of children are stunted and 35.7% are underweight in India. About 21% of children under the age of five are wasted (low weight for height), according to the National Family Health Survey-4 data.

Questions raised by the author

• How many more children must suffer from stunted growth before the Minister in charge of their welfare decides on whether to serve them hot-cooked nutritious meals or packaged/processed fortified mixes?
• And why does there have to be a choice between the two? Why can’t India incorporate both?
• Is it really that difficult to keep a close watch on the quality of food served to children between the ages of three and six as well as take-home ration for pregnant and lactating women?

Earlier

• Eight years ago, when malnutrition deaths occurred in some districts in Maharashtra, a simple solution involving a protein-rich diet called Lapsi — a green millet mixture combined with water and milk — was given to malnourished babies
• In Jharkhand, dry rations such as oil, dal, wheat or rice were given to mothers — until the contractor lobby forced the government to shift in favour of processed food.

Author suggests

Address malnourishment through locally produced, diverse food options that the country offers.

Conclusion

Is it impossible to work out a solution? Or is there no solution because children cannot be quantified as vote banks?