Deprecated (16384): The ArrayAccess methods will be removed in 4.0.0.Use getParam(), getData() and getQuery() instead. - /home/brlfuser/public_html/src/Controller/ArtileDetailController.php, line: 73
 You can disable deprecation warnings by setting `Error.errorLevel` to `E_ALL & ~E_USER_DEPRECATED` in your config/app.php. [CORE/src/Core/functions.php, line 311]
Deprecated (16384): The ArrayAccess methods will be removed in 4.0.0.Use getParam(), getData() and getQuery() instead. - /home/brlfuser/public_html/src/Controller/ArtileDetailController.php, line: 74
 You can disable deprecation warnings by setting `Error.errorLevel` to `E_ALL & ~E_USER_DEPRECATED` in your config/app.php. [CORE/src/Core/functions.php, line 311]
Warning (512): Unable to emit headers. Headers sent in file=/home/brlfuser/public_html/vendor/cakephp/cakephp/src/Error/Debugger.php line=853 [CORE/src/Http/ResponseEmitter.php, line 48]
Warning (2): Cannot modify header information - headers already sent by (output started at /home/brlfuser/public_html/vendor/cakephp/cakephp/src/Error/Debugger.php:853) [CORE/src/Http/ResponseEmitter.php, line 148]
Warning (2): Cannot modify header information - headers already sent by (output started at /home/brlfuser/public_html/vendor/cakephp/cakephp/src/Error/Debugger.php:853) [CORE/src/Http/ResponseEmitter.php, line 181]
Notice (8): Undefined variable: urlPrefix [APP/Template/Layout/printlayout.ctp, line 8]interviews/dipa-sinha-economics-professor-at-ambedkar-university-and-lead-campaigner-with-the-right-to-food-campaign-interviewed-by-rashme-sehgal-newsclick-in.html"/> Interviews | Dipa Sinha, economics professor at Ambedkar University and lead campaigner with the Right to Food Campaign, interviewed by Rashme Sehgal (Newsclick.in) | Im4change.org
Resource centre on India's rural distress
 
 

Dipa Sinha, economics professor at Ambedkar University and lead campaigner with the Right to Food Campaign, interviewed by Rashme Sehgal (Newsclick.in)

-Newsclick.in

Dipa Sinha, economist and lead campaigner with the Right to Food Campaign, explains the myriad reasons for India faring worse on crucial hunger indicators and the way out.

Economist Dipa Sinha, who teaches at the School of Liberal Studies at Ambedkar University, is actively involved with the Right to Food Campaign. In an interview with Newsclick, she explains why hunger is not an isolated concern but the result of a confluence of missteps. India has a food crisis because women and children lack a voice in policymaking, schemes that target them get designed badly or have their budgets cut by government, especially during a crisis. On top of it all, other vulnerable sections also get neglected, reducing incomes and blocking their route to access welfare schemes. Solidarity among workers and other movements that fight for the rights of workers and others is the solution, Sinha says. Edited excerpts.

* Why is hunger rising across India? Which states are doing poorly, and what reasons would you attribute to this?

Multiple sources indicate an alarming situation of hunger and food insecurity in the country. Partial results of the NFHS-5, 2019, show malnutrition stagnating and childhood stunting worsening in many states. The pandemic made things worse for many. Unfortunately, we do not have nationally representative data to be sure of the present situation. However, slowing economic growth, stagnant rural wages, lower priority to welfare schemes such as Integrated Child Development Scheme (ICDS) and mid-day meals after the pandemic have created a crisis situation.

Please click here to read more. 

Image Courtesy: Oxfam India