A basic human right
World Food Day is a day of action dedicated to tackling global hunger. Held annually on October 16, people from around the world come together to declare their commitment to stop worldwide hunger from our world. These events promote global awareness and action for those who suffer from hunger, and for the need to ensure food security and nutritious diets for all. The focus of the day is that food is a basic, fundamental human right. There are big parties around the world where food is wasted by people. A plate of food can fulfil one’s hunger, if properly distributed. There are lots of counties in Africa were people are starving to death due to malnourishment and poverty. If all countries come together and take a pledge not to waste food by distributing the extra, remaining food to the poor and the needy, it will help many starving people.
From Mr Lodhi Azmatullah Khan
India
Everyone deserves food
The main idea behind this day is to remember that everybody deserves food. Despite the production of sufficient food, the current shortage is sad. There are many attributing factors for this - there is lot of wastage from restaurants and parties. Everyone should take the quantity they require. Non-Governmental Organisation’s and other voluntary organisations should have periodical meetings to educate the people about the wastage of food. For more than seven decades, this day is being celebrated for the interest of everyone. I always think about other people who are not getting even one meal a day.
From Mr K. Ragavan
India
Need to be told
As parents, we must give our children a balanced diet, in the right quantity. They should then be encouraged to empty their plate each time, and when they don’t, they should be told how many children do not have plates, let alone the food. They need to be taught not to waste food so that this follows them through their adult and parenting lives, when the problem of world hunger will be worse not better.
From Mr David Woodward
Dubai
Restaurants partly responsible
I think restaurants contribute to food wastage, but partially. They serve the food to their customers, and most of the time, we waste food in the restaurant. So the onus should also be on us to stop wasting food and take our food home or deposit the extra food to some nearby charitable food banks. This can be one way to address the lack of the availability of food for the needy and poor. Also, sometimes restaurants can end up preparing extra food, which is not served to the customers. In such situations, usually the food is utilised internally and part of it also gets wasted. Hence, such things needs to be properly managed and addressed.
From Dr. Khaja Mohtesham Al Deen
Al Ain
Lots of added costs
The people are hungry because a majority of them cannot afford food. Prices continue to soar because of the huge supply chain between the producers and the final consumer. The food product does not reach directly from the producer to the buyer. It changes many hands in between including the cost of transport and packaging. Considering all these factors, the basic food products has become immensely costly. Also in recent years as we see agricultural produce continuing to reduce as more and more farmers are opting for other business opportunities. Agriculture has unfavourable governmental policies, irregular weather patterns, lack of manpower and more. This all leads to shortage of food production and high prices.
From Ms Saifee Tarwala
Dubai
Zero hunger a dream
Zero hunger worldwide is a brilliant idea but remains a dream since no action is being done. In different parts of the world, there is excess food and some people are irresponsibly throwing it away, rather than giving it to people with nothing to eat. There is lots of food in groceries and in malls but only few people can buy them since they are expensive. There are charity groups who distribute food boxes but they choose the community they will serve. We need sincerity so that this dream becomes a reality. We should not point our fingers at anybody but ourselves. We are responsible to make zero hunger a worldwide reality. It may take years, but this will start with a small step. Now it is time to correct our mistakes for not doing our part to support and give with open hearts, without waiting for anything in return. We do not need to let others see that we are helping. Let us be a part of the program, from our own home.
From Ms Ma Teresa Sanchez Edpan
Dubai
Zero hunger: Dream or reality?
Every nation strives to alleviate poverty, and this is the same for every Indian government that changes power. But when priorities change and money comes in, people are busy filling their pockets. The funds allocated go through a huge filtering process where everyone gets a share and the ones who deserve it, get nothing. Other factors include resources being less and people being more, population being high and jobs being less. One in every ten people would be jobless and would have already sacrificed his one day meal. This cycle goes on and the story remains the same. Zero hunger can be a reality if our intention is pure and our actions do the same.
From Ms Lekshmi Mini
Chennai
Editor’s note: Is there a news report that you feel strongly about? Something that has to be addressed in the community and requires resolution? Email us on readers@gulfnews.com. You can also post a comment on our Facebook page or tweet to us @GNReaders.
