India struggles with significant poverty and hunger affecting millions. Despite economic growth, 218 million Indians face food insecurity and 30% of children suffer from malnutrition. Government initiatives and social programs aim to alleviate these issues.

Poverty related issues – 

1. Uneven distribution of wealth, exacerbating poverty as the rich accumulate while the poor struggle.
2.  Insufficient quality education, hindering skill development, employability and socioeconomic mobility opportunities.
3. Lack of stable, gainful employment, perpetuating poverty and limiting economic mobility opportunities.
4. Insufficient access to quality medical services, exacerbating poverty through untreated illnesses and debts.
5. Social exclusion and bias against marginalized groups, limiting education, employment and economic opportunities.

Hunger related issues – 

1. Limited access to nutritious food, causing hunger, malnutrition and vulnerability to illnesses nationwide.
2. Deficiencies in essential nutrients, causing stunted growth, weakened immunity and increased mortality rates nationwide.
3. Insufficient clean water access, exacerbating hunger, malnutrition and health issues, particularly in rural areas.
4. Crop failures, poor productivity and limited resources hinder food production, exacerbating hunger and poverty.
5. One third of produced food discarded, exacerbating hunger, resource depletion and environmental degradation unnecessarily.

India’s initiatives include the National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, Public Distribution System, Mid Day Meal Scheme, Beti Bachao Beti Padhao, and Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana to combat poverty and hunger.