India's recent results in the Global Hunger Index should raise serious alarm, with a deplorable rank of 102 among 117 countries - ranking the lowest among both BRICS and South Asian countries - Pakistan ranked 94th, while Bangladesh stood at 88th and Nepal took the 73rd spot.

© Concern Worldwide/Welthungerhilfe

With a score of 30.3, India falls firmly within the 'serious' category of hunger. The GHI score itself is calculated by zeroing in on four different key figures -  undernourishment, child wasting, child stunting, and child mortality.

© Concern Worldwide/Welthungerhilfe

While general trends seem to be improving (except for wasting) according to the report, it is said that for infants in India aged 6 months to 23 months, only 9.6% are fed a 'minimum acceptable diet'. This means that less than 10 percent of the infants in India are properly fed.

© Reuters

Because of its large population, India's GHI indicator values have an inflated impact on the regional numbers as well. India's child wasting rate is extremely high at 20.8% - the highest wasting rate of any country in this report.

© Reuters

Hygiene is also a serious issue that remains at large. 

“Even with new latrine construction, however, open defecation is still practiced,” the report reads. “This situation jeopardises the population's health and consequently, children's growth and development as their ability to absorb nutrients is compromised.”