Under Nourishment:

June 07/2011: Reports say more than 52 per cent of infants and children in the state of Orissa suffer from acute mal nourishment. That the reports are from reliable quarters is not doubted. What is worrisome is that while most administrators and planners constantly talk about the ‘future generations’ and ‘attending to special needs of the young’, they are all, nevertheless, just giving us a whole lot of hogwash. As of now and what is commonly available information, there is no Central or State level special program directed at improving the conditions of millions of infants and children of this state and country.

It is an accepted fact that human life is considered ‘cheap’ or expendable in India. A country where the population is booming, the value of children is socially still much underrated. Historically, this nation has no evidence to show that ancestors understood the importance of nurturing children from the earliest of ages whereby they would grow up to be assets for the country. What we do get is proof that royalty treated children with importance simply because they were to become future kings. Present day situation may seem similar if the First Family of a major political party of India is taken into consideration. But then, that is not the scenario when we consider the situation prevailing for most children of commoners’ families.

A balanced diet for a child should comprise protein, carbs, fat, vitamins, minerals and liquid in perfect proportions. There are ways of knowing what perfection implies in this context. Information about diets and other supplements exist in the public domain. Yet, although we give rice at Rs 2 a kilo to provide carbohydrates, offer pregnant mothers money and official leave and so many other sops, there exists no real tracking system of what and how these benefits trickle down to the child, if at all. Everything must not be heaped on the government alone. The ugly question that raises its head is why we have so many children in this country when we are incapable of taking care of our offspring. The government’s role may be criticized to the extent that in its efforts to be seemingly pleasant and populist it has completely forgotten the need for vigorously pushing the family planning program. This has been a singular and major disservice to Indian society by our government. On the other hand, by producing so many children we are incapacitating our nation for the future. Without proper food and nutrients, facilities for sports and education for them, we are in the process of creating multiple overlapping generations those that will be left behind when the true competition for survival commences.

Talking big about today’s economic growth, our planners are forgetting that the euphoria of these achievements may not last long if the future generations are not equipped to hold on to them. Gains, especially economic or social, are no one’s obligatory possessions. They are nebulous to the extent that constant efforts and up gradation of those very efforts are required to hold on and improve. What we may feel proud of today could simply vanish from our grasp in the next moment. Fine, in a nation’s context, it may take a little longer to go. But still then, if the next gens do not get the preparatory incentives, they will be clueless as to what is happening around them. So, while this vast population is becoming even larger and we are incapable of asserting the correct path on to the populace that less children are better, we have been, on the other side of the coin totally silent on the needs and requirements of those same infants and children. This is a social problem and many amongst us would love to blame it on lack of education on the part of the parents for which we are suffering from this huge population problem. The aware and educated social rungs of India may have,  probably in a very sub conscious manner, fallen upon a devious plan whereby they feel that if they could make their children fighting fit than the minions’ babies could eat onions and be servile and obedient helps for their (the upper crust’s) children. This is a massive danger. Simply by trying to perpetuate a social pide that spreads into economic disparity that eventually creates a working class over a period of time for a select few would give birth to upheavals beyond our imagination. The beneficiaries of today’s economic goodies have to shake themselves out of this kind of a dangerous mindset. Until this is done, we may very well be developing a situation where the deprived would feel lost and desperate. Once that feeling gets into the poor of India, the rich will have a real bad time. Similar state of affairs could be observed even now in many African and South American countries. Violent crimes committed by street children who roam in big armed gangs is a common sight in many societies.

Therefore, it is up to the ‘haves’ of today’s India to decide how they wish to make this country safe for their children. Conscious efforts are needed now to make the new generations capable of living a life of health and brightness. No one should be allowed to create servants from the next gens. The country needs entrepreneurs and warriors who will have the desire to rise in life. It is for the present generation to instill that thought and ability in the children of today to keep India peaceful and growing. To accommodate every child should be the goal. Inclusiveness of all is the only answer. That may not be noticeable in people who live in homes such as Antilla. But beware the middle class of India. The responsibility is more on them than on any other class.