September 16, 2010
http://newsbbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/7747313.stm
This article discusses the upcoming election in Madhya Pradesh, the second largest Indian state, and how the vital issue of malnutrition has not been addressed as a concern. For the past five years, the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has been in control of the state and largely ignores the enormous malnutrition issue at hand. The India State Hunger Index (Ishi) found Madya Pradesh to have the most severe level of hunger within the country, with over 60% of children malnourished. One main reason why Madhya Pradesh has such malnutrition issues is due to deforestation, in which the laws prohibit the tribespeople to hunt and grow crops from whatever is left. In addition to being unable to produce their own food, increase in food prices have reduced family's ability to buy food, further intensifying this issue. State-run "ration shops" have also left a familiar feeling of disappointment to the poor. Rationing per family was cut nearly in half two years ago and these shops are sometimes available only three times a month.
This upcoming election can potentially bring a change for the people of Madhya Pradesh. Congress, the opposing party, is reaching out and addressing this issue, and promises to bring the state free of malnourishment. Disillusioned, the people are skeptical that change will occur regardless of which party is elected.
This article struck a chord with me at the clear lack of concern the BJP has for its people. It left me wondering what issues the BJP are addressing in this upcoming election, since they seem to be ignoring the state's largest problem, how they came to hold political power in Madhya Pradesh and what efforts are being made to control the vast malnourishment within this state. It would be interesting to research how Congress proposes to fix this malnourishment problem and what resources and tools they plan on utilizing. Clearly, it must go beyond increasing the availability of these ration shops. Although my research is minimal, it seems the first step is to eradicate the law restricting people from hunting and farming so they at least have a chance to provide for themselves and their families.
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