ABSTRACT
This chapter focusses on the multiple vulnerabilities of the young child in terms of physical well-being resulting from persistent neglect or recurrent illnesses. It draws upon the available data to analyse the situation of the young child in India in terms of survival and physical development as well as the issues of nutrition, healthcare, safe water, sanitation, hygiene and socio-economic determinants that impact physical well-being. It takes cognisance of India’s achievements in creating the conditions for the young child’s physical well-being and the impediments that need to be addressed with a sense of urgency. It calls for priority interventions in areas of high child mortality and malnutrition, capacity development, financial allocations and their efficient utilisation and restructuring of the ICDS.
