The Buzz & Beyond

A news that cannot be digested though. The recently released GHI survey has given fodder on a platter to Modi baiters. There are discussions, debates going on this and let me join the same.  India has ranked 107th out of 121 countries in the Global Hunger Index (GHI) 2022, down from the 101st position the previous year. Jointly published by Concern Worldwide and Welthungerlife, the GHI lists countries by ‘severity’. Yemen has ranked in the lowest position at 121, while the top of the list is dominated by European nations including Croatia, Estonia and Montenegro. Among Asian nations, China and Kuwait have ranked the highest. What is the Global Hunger Index? The GHI has been brought out almost every year since 2000; with this year’s report being the 15th one. A low score gets a country a higher ranking and implies a better performance.  The reason for mapping hunger is to ensure that the world achieves “Zero Hunger by 2030” — one of the Sustainable Development Goals laid out...

Maajhe Maher Pandhari…  Majhe Maher Pandhari, Aahe Bhim Ratya tiri.. (or Bheevarechya tiri..)  Pandharpur is my maternal home, that is on the banks of River Bheema. (Maher = maternal home) Maher in Marathi means maternal home!  In Indian household, among women, the maternal home always has a special place. For every woman, even after decades of marriage and having lived in the extended family, maternal home (mother’s home) always remains a special place for her. The reasons are very many but no place fills the place of a maternal home.  Sant Eknath, in this Abhang, describes Pandharpur as his maternal house – a very special place to him in his life, a place he always wishes to go, where he can go and stay at his own wish, spend time at his own will and yet none complains. He gets all the liberty to do at this place. It is a place of respite for him. Or in another sense, Pandharpur is his real home.  Baap aani aayee, majhi Vittal Rakumayee…  Lord Vittal ...