The crime over nature’s food supply
Dec 27, 2024
Food is the right of every living being. Climatic conditions, geographic suitability and the sweat of the labourers determine its availability. But we have rationed it according to the privileges of each income class and made it a trading commodity. Mountainous waste on one side, terrible hunger on the other side!
Food is a basic need for all living beings on Earth, not just for humans. It is a gift of nature without which nature never opens a way for any living being to be born. However, we have made it a trading commodity.
Those with more money can afford more food of higher quality, while those without money eat less or go hungry. Interestingly, all other creatures eat without paying for their food, except for humans. That is strange! Food should not be a commodity. Those without money should have access to it. Unfortunately, we cannot change this situation now. Food is a valuable essential resource regardless of where you eat, who prepares it, where it comes from, and who determines its quality and price. Food should have an equal price universally.
Only those who suffer hunger truly understand its value. Others may never grasp it. People who suffer hunger daily on the streets know its worth. Abjectly poor mothers go hungry to feed their children. They recognise its significance. Soldiers stationed at the border to protect citizens understand the price of food. Poor children in villages who walk long distances to school also know its value. Even someone who enjoyed luxurious food all their life but later finds themselves in a hospital also understands its importance. Yet many of us, especially those born with a silver spoon, remain oblivious to this serious reality.
Animals eat according to their needs and do not hunt when they are not hungry. In contrast, humans often overindulge. We store food even if we have little space in our stomachs or kitchens. Some animals eat well in spring and have nothing in winter, as ice sheets over the mountains during that season. For instance, bears living in snowy regions consume as much food as they need when the foods are available but go without when the mountains are covered in snow. They lose weight during this period. Some animals hibernate for eight months without food and emerge in the right season to eat well for four months before retreating. Interestingly, most animals do not eat once the sun sets, while humans eat full-stomach at midnight and sleep well. As a result, we become obese.
There are 3,161 flights in India, of which 980, including international and domestic, originate from Mumbai alone. Only a few airlines, like Air India and Vistara (which has now merged with Air India), operate most of these flights. Most domestic flights remain airborne for 45 minutes to three hours with the shortest between the Ahmedabad-Mumbai route. Still, airlines provide free meals on board, even though it is often unnecessary, as most passengers are affluent and do not board flights on an empty stomach. Interestingly, when something is offered for free, no one refuses. Passengers will take the free meal, often a sandwich, even if they don’t eat it. Once my friend, Mr. Murali, purposely sat in the back row and counted the meals. Out of 100 passengers, 70 threw their food away later. Mr Murali was ready to collect the food from flights and distribute it to poor people. The serving crews picked up the discarded meals with a smile. I was sure that this food ended up in the trash. Just imagine, with over 90,000 flights taking off globally every day, the amount of food and plastic waste generated is staggering, and there is no control over it! Since it is a lucrative business, no one questions it. It would be interesting if there were arrangements to donate unused food packets to nearby impoverished communities. In my opinion, that is unlikely to happen.
Food should never be a commodity. It is a vital resource blessed by climatic conditions. With each passing day, our resources are depleting. Only wealthy countries can afford nutritious food. This situation will soon change as we face significant economic challenges and food scarcity due to climate change. One day, as every sensible mind fears, everyone will go hungry. None can stay alive without food.
SAJIKUMAR
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