Despite the implementation of numerous policies and schemes aimed at combating hunger and malnutrition in the country, their effectiveness remains limited. Analyse.

India, in 2023, ranked at 111th position in Global Hunger Index out of 125 countries. India-Hunger Child wasting: 32% Child mortality: 16% Child stunting: 17% Reasons for less effectiveness (1) Lack of targeted policies for NFSA, 2013 & PDS cover 60% of the country's population. (2) Focused on mainly calorie intake.

[Sundanese committee] and not coverage of macro & micro nutrients. PDS only covers wheat, rice, pulses mainly. (3) Lack of protein & religious angle: Opposition to eggs in Mid Day Meal by some groups. (4) Poor position of girls & women: Higher anemia ratio => 40% of adolescent girls. (5) Lack of targeting of tribal & BPL families: Income prevalence in tribal areas is more than 6 tribal districts. Poor postnatal care for 3rd C years.

Way Forward (1) AS targeted & prioritized implementation of Anemia Mukti Bharat. (2) Include veg & nonveg protein sources in mid-day meal under POSHAN 2.0. (3) Decrease coverage of PDS to 140% as per Shanta Kumar Committee. (4) Promote Millets under Shree Anna achieve along with regional negotiable & fruits. (5) Proper checks on infant health by ASHA workers to ensure access to protein & vitamin mothers to ensure colostrum (first breast milk after birth) is fed to baby as it is crucial for health. => Hunger must be tackled to achieve SDG2 of zero hunger & also for other SDGs.