We may be justifiably flush with celebrating the 61st year of Independence. But amidst all the flourish and vain glory, the very fact that Indian Children account for one third of the world’s malnourished children, with a showing 46 percent malnutrition rate should be a sobering thought. And, this despite the fact that India spends more on child development programmes than most of the countries that have been in place for more than 30 years. It appears as a glaring irony that while India can boast of the second fastest growing economy in the world after China, there has been a decline of a mere 0.8 percent in malnutrition rates in the last five years.

Malnutrition develops when the body does not get adequate amount of protein, energy, vitamins and other nutrients, needed to maintain healthy tissues and organ function. Inarguably, it is a premium risk factor leading to illness and death, contributing to more than half of deaths in children worldwide, poor nourishment in children results in compromised immune systems, which is an added risk factor for diseases of the heart and other organs as well as osteoporosis among them. If not treated well in time, malnutrition may cause physical and mental disability in some cases leading even to death. Scientific evidence suggests that compared with the risks a well nourished child faces, the risk of death from common childhood diseases is doubled for a mildly malnourished child and may be even as high as eight times for a severely malnourished child. Many suffer from disease and disability. In addition to its devastating effects on child and adult morbid¬ity, mortality and cognitive drain on developing countries prospects for development and economic growth.

With India having the highest percentage of under nourished children in the world, the situation is undoubtedly dire. While India continues to face the colossal challenge of child malnutrition debates also go on about the various myths and solutions regarding the problem. Many argue that the major inherent cause of malnutrition is India’s low per capita income. India’s high levels of malnutrition amply reflect neglect in such important areas like neonatal case, insufficient breastfeeding and nutrition supplementation disease control. The most common clinically significant micronutrient deficiency in children include deficiency of Iron, Zink Iodine and Vitamin A. Through much government nutrition schemes advocate fortification programmes, yet it is clear that the current policy response to the crises at hand has been skewed.

In fact, effect for targeting malnutrition has been in place for several years and we can justifiably boast of the world’s largest development services. But so far it has had a limited impact as indicated by its failure to reduce malnutrition over the last decade. Besides, there are numerous policies and programmes like the Midday Meal Scheme, supplementary others. However, for any of these programmes to have the desired impact, it is necessary to bridge the chasm between the policy intentions and actual implementation. Having said that the answer to the crises of malnutrition lies itself in the myriad of policies & schemes that have been there for so long we have only to ask ourselves how serious we are in making sure that our children have access to at least the basic human rights? The need of the hour is to get our act together. The future of country is at stake.