Children & nutrition
IT is a disgrace that the vast majority of children in India continue to remain poor and malnourished even though the country has been an independent nation for more than 70 years and has made rapid strides in science and technology (Cover Story, November 8). This can be attributed to the fact that the state has neglected the key areas of health, nutrition and education unlike in other nations where these have been accorded top priority.
As per Article 47 of the Constitution, it is the duty of the state to improve the level of nutrition, the standard of living and the health of its citizens.
Further, the Supreme Court has held that health and nutrition and freedom from malnutrition are the fundamental rights of every child under Article 21. A country that aspires to be a superpower can achieve that status only if the health of its children is sound.
B. Suresh Kumar
Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu
IT is disturbing to note that the government and the opposition have chosen not to take the results of the Comprehensive National Nutrition Survey (CNNS) seriously. That India ranks 102 out of 117 countries in the Global Hunger Index in 2019 failed to jolt the sensibilities of our politicians speaks loudly about their priorities.
The one-size-fits-all approach of dealing with malnourishment through common staples fortified with vitamins and other nutraceutical food items will not be able to replicate the dietary diversity required to fight malnutrition.
The aggressive promotion of commercial baby foods works at cross purposes with the successful implementation of effective infant feeding practices in the country.
Ayyasseri Raveendranath
Aranmula, Kerala
THE objective of the midday meals scheme introduced by K. Kamaraj when he was Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu was mainly to increase enrolment and attendance of poor children in school. Chief Minister M.G .Ramachandran further improved the scheme.
In any State, educating poor children is only possible when they are given free nutritious food.
Children need different amounts of specific nutrients at different ages. Keeping in mind the recommendations based on the survey, the government should chalk out what is required to ensure that Indian children can be healthy future citizens.
A.J. Rangarajan
Chennai
THE CNNS has revealed the shocking state of affairs regarding the nutritional status of children cutting across age groups. It is pertinent to point out that children in urban areas have relatively better access to quality food owing to the relative affluence of city dwellers.
Malnutrition with its Siamese twin of undernourishment is a factor that has failed to attract the attention of those in power irrespective of what party they belong to. The Centre should take the CNNS as a sound warning requiring an immediate response.
S. Murali
Vellore, Tamil Nadu
India & China
Although China’s actions and statements with regard to India of late have been negative, the Mamallapuram summit was impressive as the Indian Prime Minister and the Chinese President decided to engage on issues of mutual interest such as investment and narrowing the trade deficit (“Resetting relations”, November 8).
Despite their decision at the Wuhan summit to work together, they could make little headway because of China’s support to Pakistan. One hopes that the Mamallapuram summit will herald a new era in cooperation and bilateral relations.
K.R. Srinivasan
Secunderabad, Telangana
Civil liberties
CIVIL liberties are for citizens in an enlightened democracy, not for the subjects under a dictator (Cover Story, October 25). India may be an old civilisation, but it got a taste of democracy for the first time only after the Constitution came into being. The culture of sycophancy is in our veins, and we feel more at ease under a fascist regime.
The BJP won a road-roller majority for a second time, supported by upper-caste Hindus. It has accordingly accelerated its speed to achieve its objectives of declaring India a Hindu nation and dismantling the Constitution.
M.N. Bhartiya
Alto-Porvorim, Goa
NRC
THE Ritu Raj Konwar photograph accompanying the article “Trauma of exclusion” (October 11) summed up the terrible trauma and sense of uncertainty inflicted on ordinary lives in Assam by the National Register of Citizens exercise. This photograph, which I saw earlier in black and white in The Hindu, affected me profoundly.
Aniruddha Dam
Kolkata
Donald Trump
Donald Trump’s entire presidency has been overshadowed by questions over foreign ties (“Trump in trouble”, October 25). The 2016 presidential election was marred by allegations of Russian interference, and there is no doubt that the Ukraine scandal will become the turning point of the 2020 election.
Trump is the second Republican to face impeachment after Richard Nixon. However, it appears that Trump will survive the impeachment proceedings against him, unlike Nixon, as the Republicans have a majority in the Senate.
Vidhya B. Ragunath
Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu
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