Editor,
Today I went for a routine check up at the gynaecology department NEIGRIHMS. I was previously told by their doctor that in my next visit they would schedule me for a certain test. Today I went in, praying that this time I should get a nice (well-behaved) doctor. The whole visit and every other visit had been nightmares. The doctors (PG, JRD and SRD) , the staff, the helpers, everyone in that department are just rude and mean to the core of their bones. So today was just as bad. When I enquired about this test they wanted me to do, that doctor yelled at me, “Do you have the money to do this test? It’s an expensive test, so tell me if you have the money to do the test?” She yelled again. I was in utter shock and could not respond back. I wish I had. It bothered me the whole day wondering if I looked like a homeless, poor and illiterate person. How did she assume that I cannot afford the test? Is it because I came to a governmental hospital? Whether or not I can afford the test is my problem and my decision. I did not give her the right to belittle me. Hence this is my letter to those doctors who think they are above every other human being. I am telling you to be nice and decent to your patients.
I would like for my letter to be anonymous. People I know work at the hospital and I don’t want them to suffer for my act of honesty.
Yours etc.,
Name withheld on request,
Via email
Hunger and this year’s Nobel
Editor,
The 2024 Global Hunger Index report, in which India ranks 105 among 127 countries, must not be ignored. The report says that India’s undernourished population would effectively rank as the seventh most populous country in the world — with roughly the population of Brazil, a staggering 200 million people. In other words, 13.7 per cent of India’s population is undernourished.
Among neighbours, India is behind China (at the top bracket that includes 22 countries), Sri Lanka (56), Nepal (68), Myanmar (74), and Bangladesh (84), but only ahead of Pakistan (109) and Afghanistan (116). Bhutan could not be included in the 2024 GHI because of a lack of data.
The report is based on four indicators – 1. Under nourishment, 2. Child wasting, 3. Child stunting, and 4. Child mortality. The nutrition indicators for children under 5 years show that 1 out of 3 children (35.5 per cent) is a victim of stunting, nearly 1 out of 5 children (18.7 per cent) is a victim of wasting, and 2.9 per cent of children die before completing 5 years. India has the highest global rate of child wasting.
Now, how can a country compete with others when the growth of more than one third of its future workforce has been stunted for not getting enough food to eat? It is not difficult to comprehend that it is impossible. However, we can look at the findings of this year’s Nobel laureates in economics – Daron Acemoglu, Simon Johnson, and James Robinson – to get a clear answer. They have demonstrated that institutions that exploit the population do not generate growth or change for the better.
A study says that many gig workers in India have to work for 10 to 14 hours daily for their employers and earn less than Rs 10,000 per month. While overwork damages their health, the poor wage makes their children and family members compromise on food intake. This is nothing but exploitation.
Children are unable to learn optimally when they are hungry. To address this problem, the new National Educational Policy has proposed that the midday meals provided to students in government and aided schools should be supplemented by breakfast. The Centre should allocate more funds for introducing breakfast in addition to the midday meals for all government and aided schools from the nursery level. It is highly commendable that some States and Union Territories provide additional items such as milk, eggs, and fruits to students from their own resources. But why should not the Centre itself allocate the funds for the same for providing those nutritious food items to students all over the country? Otherwise, students of all the states in India will not get those additional, nutritious food items.
Some estimates show that 3 out of 4 Indians are non-vegetarian. A non-vegetarian student should eat a boiled egg every day in the midday meal. Whereas, an alternative food item needs to be served to a vegetarian student. It will be highly unfortunate if prejudices against non-vegetarian items restrain students from having eggs. Boiled eggs can easily be prepared, can never be adulterated, and have high nutritional value for money.
How long should we turn a blind eye to our millions of hungry, malnourished children with stunted growth? The government should label the health of our children as a matter of top priority, instead of basking in the surreal glory of the sun and moon missions, which have no connection to our children’s or people’s welfare.
Both breakfast and midday meals comprising healthy items like milk, eggs, and fruits should be served to students in all government and aided schools throughout the country without any delay.
Yours etc.,
Sujit De,
Kolkata
Religious celebrations versus public inconveniences
Editor,
I am writing to address some concerns regarding the recent celebration of Durga Puja in Tura Town on October 13, 2024. First and foremost I am writing this with complete respect towards the celebration of a community. While this festival is a significant cultural event, certain issues have raised serious concerns among residents of Tura Town.
Firstly, the national highway was blocked and was diverted for extended periods from morning till evening, causing significant traffic congestion. This not only disrupted daily commutes but also posed safety risks for emergency vehicles trying to navigate through the area. “A road cannot be blocked for the celebration,” can be read from the recent verdict by the Rajasthan High Court.
Additionally, the loud music played near the Maternity and Child Hospitals created a challenging environment for patients and medical staff. It is crucial that we balance our celebrations with consideration for those in need of care, as noise can be particularly distressing in such settings. Loud music cannot be played near within 100 meter radius of Hospitals as per the rules of the Silent Zone area.
Lastly, the aftermath of the celebrations was an alarming amount of garbage dumped along the roadside of the celebration. It is vital for organizers and participants alike to prioritize cleanliness and proper waste disposal during such events. Why was the Tura Municipal Board a mere spectator on that particular day whereas on any other days it collects fines for throwing garbage?
I urge the local authorities and event organizers to address these issues in future celebrations. Let us celebrate our culture while being mindful of others needs.
Yours etc.,
Amika Aski,
Via email