ABSTRACT
In 1947, when India achieved independence, the major issue was food for the people as it had just recovered from a number of famines. So a food distribution system was designed by the administrator so as to provide food to people. After independence, the country had improved a lot in nutritional status with an increase in food grain production, better diets, increased access to health care, and implementation of social protection programmes with availability or production of food grain.
Before independence, various Hindu reform movements encouraged vegetarianism, which includes Gandhi’s notion of ahimsa (non-violence). Currently, various state politics have centred on food and eating habits, mostly of people who are non-vegetarian.
Food is influenced a lot by the political and economic forces that include what crops are to be cultivated, the use of various fertilizers, and even the pesticides used in agriculture. The role of the government is involved in the distribution of food and consumption. The political role is very important in food safety, the food being prepared and sold, and what its regulations are. Biotechnology, especially genetically modified organism (GMO) products, has shown its effects on consumers and farmers. Various policies and interventions by the government for agriculture and dietary guidelines are set by the government. The Government of India’s intervention in agriculture produce, prices for the produce, and even in private markets helped to control, stabilise prices, and prevent food shortages.
