India is in a state of "stable famine", proclaimed social activist Dr Binayak Sen at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) campus recently.
According to the National Nutrition Monitoring Bureau, about 37% of Indias population is suffering from chronic malnutrition, said Sen.
He said the number is much more daunting when communities such as SC and ST are included. He pointed out that by the standards of World Health Organisation (WHO), a large section of Indias populace is in the grip of famine.
He said healthcare should be free and nobody should be deprived of it on the basis of their ability to pay.
Sen called Food Security Bill a disaster. He said the bill segregates people into three classes and the public distribution of food can be arbitrarily stopped by the government.He added that the bill states mid-day meals should be pre-cooked, which is harmful.
The activist had praise for the anti-graft crusade led by Anna Hazare. The campaign, at least, brought out the fact that people were angry about the situation in the country. If not anything, the exhibition
of anger is a good outcome from the Anna phenomenon, he said.
He added that the public should exhibit similar enthusiasm for other issues and should get involved in politics. He said people, especially the educated class, want to keep away from politics.
"You cant hope to be part of the solution and still be aloof from politics. So one should get involved," he said.
India afflicted by stable famine: Binayak Sen - Bangalore - DNA
According to the National Nutrition Monitoring Bureau, about 37% of Indias population is suffering from chronic malnutrition, said Sen.
He said the number is much more daunting when communities such as SC and ST are included. He pointed out that by the standards of World Health Organisation (WHO), a large section of Indias populace is in the grip of famine.
He said healthcare should be free and nobody should be deprived of it on the basis of their ability to pay.
Sen called Food Security Bill a disaster. He said the bill segregates people into three classes and the public distribution of food can be arbitrarily stopped by the government.He added that the bill states mid-day meals should be pre-cooked, which is harmful.
The activist had praise for the anti-graft crusade led by Anna Hazare. The campaign, at least, brought out the fact that people were angry about the situation in the country. If not anything, the exhibition
of anger is a good outcome from the Anna phenomenon, he said.
He added that the public should exhibit similar enthusiasm for other issues and should get involved in politics. He said people, especially the educated class, want to keep away from politics.
"You cant hope to be part of the solution and still be aloof from politics. So one should get involved," he said.
India afflicted by stable famine: Binayak Sen - Bangalore - DNA
