(This is not only true of modern NGOs but the great temples of the South and of gurdwaras everywhere. Virendra Heggade in Dharamsthala runs one of the most modern hygienic kitchens in India and on a festival day feeds a lakh of people.) Many of the big-ticket centrally-sponsored projects at the taluka and lower levels can easily integrate with a food programme. Many savings are possible if we genuinely build up a District Plan as we say we will.  

Elections are fun and games apart from letting us exercise our sovereignty. As a citizen, I hate to admit it but a political party — in this case the Congress — has come up with a good idea. Hold them responsible for it, don’t let them get away with forgetting it. It’s really possible to abolish hunger. At this time say “Do it”. The architecture will come later. I promise you that with all the power I have through not being a minister any more. 

The writer, a former Union minister, is chairman, Institute of Rural Management, Anand

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