India faces a paradox of food surplus and nutritional deficit. Analyse the structural reasons behind this paradox and suggest reform strategies. (Answer in 250 words)

India despite being largest cereal producer of world (11% of global cereal output) falls under 'serious category' of Global Hunger Index. FOOD SURPLUS (1) Largest millet producer (80% of global output) (2) Largest producer of milk, beverage (3) More than 200 MMT of rice production NUTRITIONAL DEFICIT (1) NFHS-5I: more than 57% women anaemic (2) Global Hunger Index shows 35.5% stunted children, 19% wasted children (3) Issue of hidden hunger

STRUCTURAL REASONS BEHIND THE PARADOX (1) Rice-wheat centric diet and law of food basket diversification leading to hidden hunger (2) High scale of Infanticide due to poor sanitation limit absorption capacity of nutrients (3) Patriarchal mindset and neglect of women (poor women eating last) (4) Malnutrition among children directly linked to health of mother (5) Asymmetric mother leads to early marriage, uneducated child, poor productivity (6) Deficit in Government welfare plans including 40% wages under PDS, high sales of diversion to black market, exclusion and aversion errors REFORM STRATEGIES (1) Poverty alleviation measures by enhancing human capital formation through NEP 2020, Startup India (2) Food diversification under Mid-day meal, fortification of rice, Indian meat, legume, high quality grains (3) Supply chain management under PDS and Reforms of Food Corporation of India (watchdog committee) (4) De-storming exercises, provision of iron-folic tablets (doorstep delivery) (5) Best measures from Chhattisgarh food distribution, Bihar open model etc

A hungry man is never a free man. To seize benefits of demographic dividend, India must capitalise on a demographic closure. This must promise enhancing the steps towards Posit Bharat