Of "Rising Tomatoes" and "Maggot Rice"; 1.04 Billion Indians can't afford a "Healthy Diet"
World Bank data recently published shows that 74.1% Indians cannot afford a "Healthy Diet". India after, Nigeria and Ethiopia at Number 3.
World Bank data recently published says that, 1.04 Billion Indians could not afford a "Healthy Diet" as of end of 2021.
That's 74.1% of the Country's population.
A diet is deemed unaffordable if it costs more than 52% of a household's income. The cost of a healthy diet is the lowest-cost set of foods available that would meet requirements in dietary guidelines from governments and public health agencies.
Even Bangladesh and Brazil, more percentage of population has access to a "Healthy Diet" compared to India.
India has been recently rocked by the rising food prices, specially of everyday commodities which is used in every household, like Tomatoes.
Tomatoes prices which are hovering around Rs.200 to Rs.250 from Goa to Delhi, they are expected to reach Rs.300/Kg very soon.
While in Goa, the Public Distribution System is in a total mess, with citizens of Goa, which constitute this “74.1%”, are being forced to eat Maggot infested rice.
While repeatedly being highlighted; the situation is not resolved, with Civil Supplies Minister Ravi Naik saying, the news is old; and his department officials saying that Fair Price shopkeepers are deliberately selling Maggot infested rice.
How much important Rice is being a part of a "Healthy Diet" in India, is anybody's guess.
Earlier in December 2019, when the Onion rices soared to record levels, and the Finance Minister of India, Nirmala Sitharaman was quizzed about it in the Parliament; she nonchalantly said that "She does not eat too much of Onions"!
While in 2013, before being elected as the Prime Minister of India, the now Prime Minister of India had a completely different view.
A healthy diet in India costs $3.07 per person, per day, which in current conversion rates is about Rs.254. Even for a family of 4, it means an expense of more than Rs.1,000/- day.
Top 1 Percent of the Wealthiest person in India own more than 40.5% of the wealth of the country as of 2021, and bottom 50% own 3% of the wealth.
Food price inflation, while a straight in the face, stark reality is being conveniently denied by one and all in the administration and government of India; even though reputed publication cite it as a major risk for the government, for the quantum rise in it, within a short span of time.
Are you among the 74.1% or the balance remaining 25.9% of Indians? While others do, what they can do?