Sir — A year after the Sussexes decided to step back as working members of the British royal family, Meghan Markle revealed in an interview some of the pressures that came with royal life — she even contemplated suicide. It is shocking that concerns were allegedly raised about the skin tone of the couple’s biracial child. The royal family would have been expected to mitigate racism, not abet it.
Rashika Verma,
New Delhi
Waste not
Sir — According to a recent report published by the United Nations Environment Programme and its partner organization, Waste and Resources Action Programme, an estimated 931 million tonnes of food was wasted globally in 2019. The Food Waste Index Report 2021 found that 61 per cent of the wastage came from households, while the food service and the retail sectors accounted for 26 and 13 per cent, respectively. In India, the household food waste was calculated at a staggering 50 kilogrammes per capita per year, or 68,760,163 tonnes a year, almost at par with countries such as the United States of America and China.
While no country can afford such humongous waste of food, when it comes to India, where millions live below the poverty line and many children die annually as a result of malnourishment, such findings point to an inherent disparity not only in accessibility but also in the attitude towards food among classes. As such, food wastage is an unforgivable crime. It is of utmost importance that we educate people, especially the youth, about the reality of unequal accessibility to food. It is only then that we would be able to ensure a dignified living for all.
N.R. Ramachandran,
Chennai
Sir — It was shocking to learn that a study by the UNEP found that Indian households waste an estimated 50 kg of food per capita per year. Many of us, who have grown up with limited resources, are perplexed by the figures. We must take note and do all we can to drastically reduce food wastage. Mindful eating and the practice of taking only what we can consume can go a long way in rectifying the situation.
Bidyut Kumar Chatterjee,
Faridabad
Sir — Experts have long insisted that reducing food waste could not only solve chronic hunger but also lead to a reduction in the emission of greenhouse gases and significantly slow down global warming. It is time that we heeded the warnings and took necessary steps to better manage our food. It is certainly possible to do so. It was found that spending more time in planning meals and cooking at home during the Covid-19-induced lockdowns resulted in a 20 per cent reduction in wastage in the United Kingdom. Citizens around the world must do all they can and strive towards minimal wastage.
M. Pradyu,
Kannur
