Last week’s Economic Times article “Where even Ethiopia is doing better than Asia” brings out the stark imbalance in [tag]India[/tag]’s [tag]economic growth[/tag]. India’s position on malnutrition is worse than that of Ethiopia – one of the most poor countries of the world.

“The Unicef analysis, done in conjunction with India’s health ministry, found that about 46% of children below the age of 3 suffer from [tag]malnutrition[/tag]. That’s a staggering figure, and one that compares with roughly 35% in sub-Saharan Africa and 8% in China. It’s even more startling when you consider India predicts growth of 9.2% this year. “

The fact that we are so casual about our future, speaks volumes about the disconnected focus of the government on ‘reforms’. What’s worse, the situation hasn’t really improved since independence. This news succeeds the recent shocking event at Puri’s Jagannath Temple reported by DNA: “[tag]Food[/tag] destroyed at temple after foreigner’s entry”.

In a country where millions go to bed hungry, Rs 1 million worth of food meant as a holy offering at Orissa’s Jagannath temple was destroyed on Friday because a foreigner had entered it — an act seen as defiling the premises.

Patrix has some creative ideas I couldn’t agree more-

If the temple authorities feared associating themselves with the ‘defiled’ food then they could have ‘conducted a yagna to disassociate’ (bear with me, trying to be a lil creative here) themselves from it and leave the food alone in a lonely corner outside the temple complex. I’m sure the ‘defiled’ food would find plenty of takers even in the most religious of towns.

60 million malnourished [tag]children[/tag] in India, while people in North America take food for granted… I can picture Gods shaking their heads in disapproval.

¶ Blogged by Priyank Thatte | Tags: Current, Economics, India, World