“Global Hunger Index: Misleading metrics”, Daily Pioneer, October 22, 2024:
“The recent Global Hunger Index (GHI) report, which places Bharat at a dismal 105th position out of 127 countries, has raised eyebrows and sparked considerable debate. While hunger and malnutrition remain pressing global issues, the methodology and conclusions of the GHI, co-authored by two non-governmental organisations—Irish-based Concern Worldwide and German Welthungerhilfe—have drawn criticism, particularly from the Indian government and sections of society.
There is a growing concern that such reports may not just reflect statistics but also carry political and geopolitical undertones aimed at tarnishing India’s image on the world stage. The GHI is based on four key indicators: the prevalence of undernourishment, child wasting, child stunting, and child mortality. The scores from these factors are compiled to place countries on a scale from zero (no hunger) to 100 (extreme hunger), with countries scoring closer to zero seen as having little or no hunger issues. Bharat’s score of 27.3 puts it in the “serious” hunger category, alongside 42 other countries. Critics of the GHI have raised several concerns about the methodology used in calculating Bharat’s score.
Firstly, the reliance on child mortality and child stunting indicators as primary components of the hunger index is problematic. Bharat is a country with a large population, and while child malnutrition is a valid concern, this issue is not unique to Bharat but rather shared by other developing countries. By focusing heavily on this aspect, the report seems to disproportionately penalise Bharat……”
Read the full article at Dailypioneer.com
