Despite the implementation of numerous policies and schemes aimed at combating hunger and malnutrition in the country, their effectiveness remains limited. Analyse.

India ranks a dismal 130 on the Global Hunger Index. India much behind its competitors of Bangladesh & Pakistan. Numerical policies implemented: → POSHAN Abhiyaan providing Mid Day Meal to students → PM Janani Suraksha Yojana—ration of 800 calories to pregnant women → ICDS & Anganwadi programme for women of new born & pregnant women → SHOLA for nutrition of teenage girls → Anemia Mukt Bharat program → Eat Right Campaign → Surya Namaskar Yojana & PDS scheme → NFSA scheme Significance of the policies

1. Lifecycle approach right from pregnant lady to teenager → ICDS to Anganwadi to PM Poshan 2. Equitable approach at BPL families offered more subsidized grains 3. Despite WTO objections, India continues to supplement its needs However, huge gaps in the macro system: 1. Beneficiary still are prone to malnutrition & exclusion errors → especially with majority of digital services like Aadhaar → to satisfy problem of 'hidden hunger' 2. Problem of 'hidden hunger' → Illegal action focus was caused out children to remain malnourished & lacking in essential nutrients

Poverty is a key factor in inducing hunger → 21% according to Tendulkar committee report 4. Lack of skilled manpower to manage benefits → Iay Handhaar enabled biometric system includes seven criteria 5. One Nation One Ration did has still not seen operationalized in letter & spirit CAS's STOLE → like in Maintenance & Its sets example → big Deltak NUTRITION KITE given along with ration → Focus to shift from 'used centre' to nutrition centre Hence, 2 planks of reaching our demographic dividend are assisting hunger & malnutrition to achieve SDGI k.2

— RIA KAUR SETHI · AIR 89