Every year we observe World Food Day and this year the theme united against hunger, chosen to recognize the efforts made in the fight against world hunger at national, regional and international levels. However, there is inequality and corruption that still exists in our country. Towards this we need to unite against hunger along with state and civil society organizations and the private sector in partnership at all levels to defeat hunger, extreme poverty and malnutrition. Devendra Sharma, Food Policy Analysis gave his thoughts on World Food Day.

Corruption has progressively increased in India and is now rampant in our society. There are many forms of corruption prevalent in our society. There are political corruption, police corruption, corporate corruption, bribery, rule of law etc. The causes of corruption are many and complex. Emergence of political elite who believe in interest-oriented rather than nation-oriented programmes and policies contribute to maximum amount of corruption occurring in our nation. Ms. Anupama Jha in an interview with Haq Hamara Wada Tumhara said, that corruption in India is a result of strong nexus between politicians and bureaucrats.

The episode focuses on Adivasi, Dalits and Marginalized Women. Generally, people do not treat them with respect. Dalit/Adivasi women in India live a precarious life combining abject poverty with grinding labor in the field and work places. Back at home, they are powerless, abused and exploited. Every year the parliament proposes budget for the overall development of the country. Against this backdrop, we spoke to Mr. Bijay Kumar from NSA Orissa, Mr. Praveer Peter from GLRF Jharkhand and Mrs. Rajima Tandi, coordinator of Dalit and Adivasi Manch Jharkhand to share their perspectives and views on the plight of women belonging to these excluded communities. 

This episode speaks on how Climate Change imparted the lives of people particularly those who are poor and downtrodden. Our life will be in danger if we don’t take care of our environment in time. We are responsible for the havoc done and in return it will destroy the whole existence on earth.  

Finance Minister Pranabh Mukherjee on 28th February 2011 announced the Budget for next fiscal year 2011-12. The Budget 2011-12 has utterly failed to address the core challenges of rolling back inflation and reducing mass deprivation. Besides, the allocations for the welfare of women, minorities, dalits and tribals are thoroughly inadequate. This episode highlights some of the significant outcomes of budget 2011-12 like health, education, livelihood and social exclusion. Mr. Mazher Hussain and Mr. Ashok Bharti gave their views on 'Haq Hamara Wada Tumhara'.

The Union Budget is not just an annual statement of receipts and expenditures. It is an instrument for fulfilling the obligations of the state and is a political statement of the priorities set by government in resource allocation. But, there is a vast chasm between vision statements or stated objectives or targets, budgetary allocations made to attain these targets and the prevailing the grassroots reality. Similarly, this episodes speaks some of the aspirations and expectation of Civil Society Organizations on Budget 2011-12. Executive Director, Mr. Subrat Das of CBGA gave his view on 'Haq Hamara Wada Tumhara'.

Gender Mainstreaming focuses on gender roles and relationships rather than on women only; it is designed to ensure that women and men have access to project resources, services and opportunities. However, there is a marked inequality between both men and women on the same. This episode highlights Gender mainstreaming as an important aspect of good governance. It seeks to ensure that institutions, policies and programs respond to the needs and interests of women as well as men, and distribute benefits equitably between women and men. To substantiate on Gender Mainstreaming Dipta Bhog from Nirantar and Prof. Rama Swami.

This episode speaks on MDG-7 (ensure environmental sustainability). The Millennium Goals recognize that environmental sustainability is a part of global economic and social well-being. It is expected that by 2020, dependence on natural resources like water, soil and forest will reach its peak affecting the poor and the marginalized the most. However, a little political will in favour of environmental well-being can make a difference. Dr. Indira Khurana from Water Aid and Dr. Rahesh Jalan, an expert on Environmental Issues gave their thoughts on the same. 

This episode talks on maternal mortality rate (MMR), the number of maternal deaths per 100,000 live births of women aged 15-49 years in India. And urging the governments to strengthening health systems through policies and strategies that are pro-poor and cost-effective and building an effective partnerships in order to make best use of scarce resources and minimize duplication in efforts to improve maternal and newborn health.  

The UN Millennium Summit of 2000, aimed at slashing poverty, hunger, disease, maternal and child deaths and other ills by 2015. With only five years left to achieve these goals, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon had called on world leaders to attend a summit in New York on 20-22 September to accelerate its progress in meeting these goals. This episode basically focuses on Make Noise for the MDGs and thereby reminding the government that they should keep their promises and do something to achieve its goals. Mr. Minar Pimple, Regional Director, UN Millennium Campaign, Asia Pacific and Mr. Amitabh Behar, Wada Na Todo Abhiyan gave their views on the same.