Malnutrition Deaths in Indian Tea Farms

India has among the worst malnutrition rates in the world - 47% for children under 5. One in every two children in India is malnourished and this is not due to lack of food in India or lack of money (sub-saharan africa is far poorer but only 33% malnutrition). And the rates and starvation deaths for citizens above age of 5 is not known neither is it highlighted by the media. But the numbers are shocking ... See this particular story on BBC

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/7022794.stm

t's just after dawn on the Ramjhora estate in northern Bengal. In this remote region, not far from India's border with Bhutan, tea has been the bedrock of the local economy for more than 150 years.

But five years ago this estate was shut down when the owner packed up abruptly leaving unpaid salaries and no alternative employment.

Weeds are now infesting the tea bushes, buildings are abandoned, and estate workers say that they have been slowly dying because they are not eating enough food.

Exact numbers are hard to pin down. But one study released recently estimates that more than 700 people have died in this region in little more than a year from malnutrition.