Delhi, the capital of India, is considered a culturally rich and diverse city. A beautiful city, vibrant with people, an amalgamation of culture and a kaleidoscope of colors. It holds a fine balance between traditional and modern values. With its blend of ancient heritage and traditional modern life, the city attracts people from across the country. However, beneath the vibrant image lies a stark contrast, where nutrition and poverty in Delhi continue to disproportionately impact underprivileged children, limiting their access to basic resources, education and opportunity.

According to the NITI Aayog Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) report 2023, the share of the population living in multidimensional poverty declined from 4.43% in 2016 to 3.43% in 2021. However, this decline hides the reality in certain districts, especially in north and west Delhi, where poverty persists at troubling rates.

Education Inequality

While the country has seen overall improvement, education gaps remain a major issue in Delhi. A 2023 report by ThePrint indicated that “school attendance deprivation” increased from 31% in 2016 to 38% by 2021 in several districts of the city. This increase affects underprivileged children the most, often limiting their long-term prospects and trapping them in cycles of poverty. The situation is bleaker in rural parts of the nation.

According to the National Statistical Office (NSO), more than 20% of children between the ages of 6 and 14 in rural parts of India are out of school, compared to just 6% in urban counterparts. This reflects how nutrition and poverty in Delhi and beyond create long-term barriers to consistent school attendance and academic success.

Gender and Nutrition

Cultural biases and gender further deepen inequality in the country. An article by The Wire discussed how girls face a deficit in access to nutritional food sources because of the deep-rooted belief that boys will be the future providers in the family. Such beliefs amount to health issues for female children, including stunted growth and anemia.

The National Family Health Survey (NFHS) pointed out that “54-59% of girls within the age group of 15-19 years are anemic as opposed to 29-31% boys in the same group” in India. Poor nutrition affects their ability to attend and succeed in school, reinforcing both gender and economic inequality.

Pehchaan the Street School

Many NGOs in the city are working to change this trajectory by providing essential resources to underprivileged children. One such example is Pehchaan the Street School in the Delhi-NCR region. As the name suggests, the organization focuses on providing a “Pehchaan, an identity to underprivileged children by providing them with education.” The nonprofit has worked tirelessly for more than 10 years to provide free education to children in the rural and slum areas of the city, aiming to make each child self-sufficient and independent.

Beyond the classroom, the organization also conducts free health check-up camps and menstrual health seminars. It provides legal and financial aid and vocational training courses for its students, ensuring they receive comprehensive support and are well-equipped to pursue their dreams confidently. The organization has supported more than 5,000 underprivileged children in the city over the last decade, achieving a passing rate of 94%. It works to address issues of nutrition and poverty in Delhi, creating support systems where the government infrastructure often falls short.

As one student shared, “In my 10-year journey, it has become a very important part of my life. I attend school regularly and this is where I received a lot of love, care and guidance.” This heartfelt reflection underscores the transformative role that the organization has played in the lives of many children.

The Red Foundation

The Red Foundatiom was founded in 2022 in the capital. The NGO aims to improve nutrition and support the right to education for underprivileged and marginalized communities. The institution operates on four pillars: education, better livelihood, skill development and empowerment and awareness. These pillars form the foundation for the nonprofit’s various programs and initiatives. One such program, “Pathshala,” provides academic education and life skills to disadvantaged children. Another, “Swasth Bharat,” proactively brings medical services to underserved areas.

Final Remarks

The work of grassroots organizations like Pehchaan-the Street School and Red Foundation demonstrates that meaningful change is both possible and already in motion. These efforts have brought education, health care and nutrition to many children who might have otherwise been left behind.

However, nutrition and poverty in Delhi remain pressing challenges that require continued, coordinated action from both public and private sectors. The journey toward equity and empowerment is far from over, but it is well underway.

– Vasudhaa Shakdher

Vasudhaa is based in Vancouver, BC, Canada and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Unsplash