After the candlelight

The alliance against malnutrition, led by young members of Parliament across party lines as well as other public figures, is a laudable intervention. One in every two children under the age of three in India is malnourished, and infant malnutrition can inhibit the child8217;s future development. This is especially ironic in a country where we routinely sing hosannas to our 8220;demographic dividend8221;, how our overwhelmingly young population is going to catapult the country into unprecedented prosperity. More than anything, the sight of a skeletal child is the most visceral reminder of everything abhorrent about India8217;s development trajectory, and how urgently things need to be addressed.

8220;Tackling malnutrition on a war footing8221; is the phrase these politicians use, and they have thought of many inventive ways to galvanise action. They have taken field visits to Integrated Child Development Scheme ICDS centres in various states, examined the personnel and stocks, and debated their nutritional content, and ways to improve delivery. These visits have generated publicity for the people and the cause, and it would be cynical to cast aspersions on their motives 8212; the alliance demonstrates a welcome solidarity among our young politicians over issues that transcend petty rivalries. These are, after all, life-and-death issues for many Indians. Many of the MPs have displayed a consistent concern with the policy details, and have repeatedly brought up questions related to malnutrition in Parliament. Being a cross-party coalition, the possibilities for this movement are immense because no matter what administration, these vital questions can be mainstreamed.

One of the notable features of this alliance is how it has brought in celebrities, activists and journalists to make common cause. They use the mechanisms of civil society activism 8212; marches, pamphlets, interviews and candlelight vigils 8212; to draw the public gaze towards the issue. And while these methods are undeniably powerful, they must remind themselves not to fritter away their energy on spectacle, because, in this case, they themselves have the capacity to effect tangible legislative change. They are now equipped with an understanding of policy gaps as well as implementation failures, and informed by a range of perspectives. Instead of adopting the citizen perspective valuable as it is, they could give the movement teeth by taking responsibility, and making sure that the government follows through on its fine words.