A Stunted Growth Story
Outlook|November 20, 2017

Malnutrition is a national disgrace. Can the Centre’s grand plan consign it to history?

Lola Nayar
A Stunted Growth Story

On November 4, the Global Nut­rition Report 2017 was released, and the ongoing tragedy of ­India’s underfed children was laid bare by up-to-date statistics: 38 percent of children und­er 5 in the country are stunted and 21 percent are aff­ected by wasting (low weight for their height) or severe wasting.  Many of these children are born with health issues, as 51 percent of women of reproductive age in India suffer from anaemia. Similarly, anaemia among children has remained persistently high at 58.4 percent for those aged between 6 and 59 months. This gives the lie to a narrative of progress supported by the decline in poverty. This sorry report comes even as a group of the country’s policymakers—the PMO, NITI Aayog, the Ministry of Women and Child Development (WCD) and the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare—is finalising a new nat­ional policy intended to eliminate child malnutrition by 2022; this will be a ­daunting task, as children under 6 form 13.6 percent of the population.

Esta historia es de la edición November 20, 2017 de Outlook.

Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.

Esta historia es de la edición November 20, 2017 de Outlook.

Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.

MÁS HISTORIAS DE OUTLOOKVer todo
Layers Of Lear
Outlook

Layers Of Lear

Director Rajat Kapoor and actor Vinay Pathak's ode to Shakespeare is an experience to behold

time-read
4 minutos  |
December 21, 2024
Loss and Longing
Outlook

Loss and Longing

Memories can be painful, but they also make life more meaningful

time-read
6 minutos  |
December 21, 2024
Suprabhatham Sub Judice
Outlook

Suprabhatham Sub Judice

M.S. Subbulakshmi decided the fate of her memorials a long time ago

time-read
8 minutos  |
December 21, 2024
Fortress of Desire
Outlook

Fortress of Desire

A performance titled 'A Streetcart Named Desire', featuring Indian and international artists and performers, explored different desires through an unusual act on a full moon night at the Gwalior Fort

time-read
7 minutos  |
December 21, 2024
Of Hope and Hopelessness
Outlook

Of Hope and Hopelessness

The body appears as light in Payal Kapadia's film

time-read
3 minutos  |
December 21, 2024
Ruptured Lives
Outlook

Ruptured Lives

A visit to Bangladesh in 2010 shaped the author's novel, a sensitively sketched tale of migrants' struggles

time-read
5 minutos  |
December 21, 2024
The Big Book
Outlook

The Big Book

The Big Book of Odia Literature is a groundbreaking work that provides readers with a comprehensive introduction to the rich and varied literary traditions of Odisha

time-read
4 minutos  |
December 21, 2024
How to Refuse the Generous Thief
Outlook

How to Refuse the Generous Thief

The poet uses all the available arsenal in English to write the most anti-colonial poetry

time-read
4 minutos  |
December 21, 2024
The Freedom Compartment
Outlook

The Freedom Compartment

#traindiaries is a photo journal shot in the ladies coaches of Mumbai locals. It explores how women engage and familiarise themselves with spaces by building relationships with complete strangers

time-read
1 min  |
December 21, 2024
Love, Up in the Clouds
Outlook

Love, Up in the Clouds

Manikbabur Megh is an unusual love story about a man falling for a cloud. Amborish Roychoudhury discusses the process of Manikbabu's creation with actor Chandan Sen and director Abhinandan Banerjee

time-read
5 minutos  |
December 21, 2024