HUNGER AND ITS CAUSES

HUNGER AND ITS CAUSES

What is hunger? If you will ask a doctor he may define that hunger is simply a ‘signal’ sent from your body to your mind in order to replenish the energy levels of your body. You may consider it similar to an empty fuel tank of your car which beeps or emits a signal when the fuel levels are below the minimum requirement. But my concern is not hunger of an individual body but the ‘hunger’ as a phenomenon that plagues the Indian society and many others in the world.

Photo Credits:  Viktor Hertz

Hunger in this particular context refers to the ugly fact that a majority of the population living in any region is unable to have the minimum food that they need to survive. Why hunger exists? This is an interesting question for you will always get varying answers from different people; economists will blame it on GDP or unemployment, social scientists may emphasize on corruption or unequal distribution of wealth and religious pundits may assert that this is a sign from the heavens that we have strayed away from the ‘right path’. May be they all are right or maybe they are incorrect but if I am to confine myself to India alone then these reasons are I believe the major ones:

1-The Indian Government is rich but the people are poor; interesting inference right? But I believe it to be true. The government fails to deliver concrete social security programs that can curb poverty and subsequently address the ‘hunger’ issue. If the Government is able to deliver benefits to the grass root level to the masses; hunger can be dealt a ‘deadly blow’.

2-The corruption within the Indian society contributes to hunger; it is a simple fact and requires not much elaboration. From simple shop keepers to high level government functionaries are all indulged in this act of corruption as a result the masses suffer. Even if schemes are created for the welfare of the poor; the officials take a ‘cut’ and in the end nothing is left.

3-The macro economic factors play a crucial role as well; it means the overall slowing rate of GDP and inflation contribute to the ‘hunger’ in an equal manner. If the economy performs well its benefits can to an extent curb ‘hunger’. Income level rises due to a better economy and can help those who are part of a lower income group or living below the poverty line.

4-Unequal distribution of wealth is also rampant in Indian society; there are some who are extremely poor and some who are very rich. The point of concern is that those who are rich can help the poor but their level of interest is low. The so called philanthropist’s method of dealing with hunger is confined to having a ‘high tea’ in a five star hotel.

5-The social behavior of us including me is also responsible to an extent; we are unwilling to be charitable or giving. Our selfishness guide us to eat and save only for our own sake and not for others. If we are lucky enough to have a good meal laid down on our table; would it be much to ask if we spare some of our food for those who have to deal with ‘hunger’ on a daily basis?