A Scene of Drought and Famine in India

Drought and famines used to be a common occurrence in India a few decades ago. But with the passage of time, the government of India has set up a whole Disaster Management machinery to tackle the situation whenever a part of the country faces a drought situation in the absence of rains. A lot of help in the form of food grains is rushed to the famine-stricken areas. Not only that, a big master plan is now being prepared to link the entire water resources of the country so that a drought situation or a famine becomes a thing of the past only.

Scenes of drought and famine in yesteryears haunt the memories even today. Here is an account of the famine and drought conditions that prevailed in the country, more specially in Haryana, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, Orissa, Rajasthan, and Western U.P., in August and September 1996 and of the relief work that was undertaken. It was the third continuous year of famine and so the hardships of the common man were really unprecedented.

The famine that prevailed in the aforesaid states was the result of the failure of rains. Agriculture in India was then backward and old-fashioned. The Indian farmer mainly depended on rains for irrigation. There were some canals and tube-wells, but they were not at all-sufficient. The result was that there were good crops only when there were rains at the right time and in sufficient quantity.

But strange are the vagaries of nature. Sometimes, the rains are too late and at other times they are too early. Sometimes, the rainfall is excessive giving rise to floods and destruction of the crops of the poor farmers. At other times, there are no rains or only scanty rains. The result is that crops get scorched and drought conditions prevail. This is what happened in the states mentioned above. The rains failed and this resulted in crop failure on a large scale. The food situation became acute as a result of the failure of rains. Practically the whole of India became semi-starved. There was also an acute scarcity of fodder and drinking water.

Famines and droughts are a great calamity for the common man. The tales of their suffering that appeared in the newspapers were extremely horrifying. Thousands failed to get even one square meal a day. Many lived on grass, on wild roots, and leaves of trees. Houses, utensils, and other necessary articles had to be sold to purchase bread. Several starvation deaths were reported. Cattle died in their thousands. People had to trudge several miles to get drinking water.

Anti-social elements took full advantage of the situation. There was hoarding and profiteering on a mass scale. It was so very shocking. One cannot describe the suffering of the children, of the old and the invalid, who could get no milk and medicine and who thus died a horrible death.

The anguish of the mothers whose children died of hunger before their eyes, and of the youth whose aged parents met with a similar fate can better be imagined than described. The pictures of these poor and starving people that appeared in the newspapers told a horrible tale.

However, the Government did its best to help these famine-stricken people. A subcommittee for the purpose was formed under the Chairmanship of the Prime Minister and he himself visited practically every drought-hit state. The youth of the country and other voluntary organizations were involved actively in relief work. The youth responded enthusiastically and did much valuable service. They went from village to village, collected money, clothes, medicines, and food for distribution among the suffering people. They also did their best to check hoarding and profiteering.

Famine-relief work was given top priority and the administration was geared up to meet the situation. Food grain was rushed in large quantities from the neighboring states. Food and fodder were also rushed by the center to different parts of the country on an emergency basis. Food was distributed free to the needy. Countless kitchens worked round the clock. Many lives were thus saved and much suffering avoided.

An appeal was also made to the nation to help its famine-stricken brothers, and contribute liberally to the Famine Relief Fund of the various States and to the Prime Minister’s Relief Fund. People rose to the occasion and contributed generously both in cash and kind. A number of voluntary organizations did much valuable work in the distribution of food, clothes, and medicines.

Things have, however, now changed in a big way. We have not heard of any famine-like situation in the country during the last several years. There is a network of tube wells, canals, and other modern means of irrigation all over the country now. Scientific advancement and fast means of travel and transportation have changed the face of the country. Things are going to improve further in years to come.