Fifty years since independence, India is still grappling to provide the basic necessities Viz Food, Clothing and Shelter to all its countrymen, though under every five year plans and budget sessions, there are enough programs planned and funds allocated. It is a sad story that even after the implementation of beneficiary programs, it hardly ever reaches the needy. Everyday, in newspapers and news channels we come across reports of pre-mature death, especially children, in remote villages due to poverty and food shortages. One such startling example is Vidharbha, which was extensively covered by many news agencies. There are many more villages like that. Even after the recent waiver of farmer loans, many of them are not able to recover.

Until the government recognizes that agriculture is as important to a growing economy as the other areas namely, science, IT, Defense, etc; the country is bound to feel the crisis, as most of the villages in India have agriculture as their main occupation.
The other factor that the government should take care about is illiteracy, for illiteracy is like a chain reaction leading to other social evils like poverty and in turn to malnutrition. It also has to take care that whether the programs it launches reach the people or not, for before it actually reaches, there are so many malpractices and the funds get diverted, and as a result, poor people starve to death.

Many NGO’s have done several appreciable works, but unless the government wakes up, the situation would be grave in spite of economic boom (visible only in urban areas).

Source: Doctors Without Borders