'1 Billion Die Hungry Every Year,' Who's Responsible?

http://www.allafrica.com; http://www.africaonline.com - both of these sites contain information on the perils of Africa including starvation and aids http://www.aah-usa.org – Action against Hunger site for efforts to save millions of people a year from starvation

http://www.thehungersite.com – a site for statistics about world hunger; also, donate here towards the starve out hunger cause

http://www.manteno.k12.il.us/drussert/WebQuests/HallOvandoRobinson/start.html – site that investigates the question, “What can one person do about hunger?

http://www.wfp.org – World Food Programme site

According to the US Census (2009), there are 1.8 deaths per second worldwide, meaning that there are over 100 deaths per minute.

Out of which, every six seconds a child dies of starvation.

Can you believe that? I cant.

With World Food Day celebrated yesterday, on 16th October 2010. It was shocking to read that over 1 billion are starving.

yeah, you read right, 1 billion. Dying. Why? from simply starving.

So, for those of those you, who don't understand the seriousness of this rather common term, 'Starve' which we use quite recklessly in our 'healthy' lives.

Starvation is that feeling of hunger one experiences with a lack of food, the “persistent gnawing condition resulting from a lack of adequate food intake, which prevents one form working of thinking correctly.” Starvation is the most severe case of the condition of hunger.

Starvation and hunger, if not combated, lead certainly to malnutrition. Malnutrition is the condition resulting from a lack of life sustaining vitamins, minerals, proteins, fats, and carbohydrates.

On October 11, a new global hunger index released by the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) showed that one billion people face hunger this year.

The 2010 Global Hunger Index showed there was alarming hunger in 25 out of the 122 countries surveyed.

"The present dramatic situation has come about because instead of tackling the structural causes of food insecurity, the world neglected agriculture in development policies, resulting in an under-investment in this sector, in particular in developing countries," said Kanayo F. Nwanze, the Nigerian vice president of IFAD, a United Nations agency and an international financial institution, whose mandate is to help rural poor people pull themselves out of poverty.

I understand natural disasters. I understand incurable diseases. I understand accidental deaths. I (don't) understand Wars. I understand mental/health issues. I understand natural deaths.

What I don't understand why do people have to die because there's no food available.

I see plenty. Why aren't they getting any?

Before you start pointing out that hunger is most severe in the 'poorest' parts of the world such as Africa, India, Pakistan and Indonesia. I agree, that they do have the largest percentage of hungry people of all the countries in the world.

But even developed countries like United States, have nearly one in four people, 1.3 billion total, live on less than US$1 per day. One out of every eight children under twelve in the US goes to bed hungry every night.

So back to the question, of why these people aren't getting any food?

Is it due to lack of food?

Is it be because the countries don't have any money?

Is it because of lack of technologic advances?

No, NO & No.

I highly doubt its any of these reasons why nations are finding it hard to feed its citizens.

I think I can safely say that they have enough of money to spend on basic necessities like food or technology to make that required amount of food.

Even, Nwanze, the Nigerian vice president of IFAD, a United Nations agency and an international financial institution said, 'that there is too much hunger in the world, even though there are abundant global food supplies, better economic prospects, and lower food prices,' a Press TV correspondent reported on Friday.

For fun, lets review some approximate amounts spent by countries only on SPORT instead of feeding their people.

Africa, spent billions on the World Cup 2010.

India spent billions on the Common wealth Games 2010.

UK will be spending billions on the Olympics 2012.

Is SPORT that important? Now you may say sure, it is. It increases the country's economy, there's more jobs, development in telecommunications, roads.......etc just to look good in the public eye.

So if there's so much money gained, where does it all go?

People are STILL dying from not having food and basic health facilities.

Where do you think nations are going wrong? Are they doing enough?

References:

http://www.starvation.net – by Starvation.net, to-the-minute information on the starvation crisis in many third world countries worldwide, including to-the-second statistics

http://www.napsoc.org – National Association for the Prevention of Starvation home site containing information of how to aid in the cause to eliminate starvation

Baraka: A Silent Masterpiece

Movie’s Name: Baraka Directed by: Ron Fricke Produced By: Mark Madigson Written By: Constantine Nicholas & Genevieve Nicholas Music By: Michael Stearns Release Date: 1992 Running time: 96 minutes

Baraka is an ancient Sufi word, when translated means ‘a blessing’. This movie is no ordinary everyday movie that one watches but is a silent masterpiece. Baraka has no plot, actors, dialogues or subtitles thus entitling this movie to be watched anywhere by anyone. The movie is a breathtaking journey through six continents and twenty-four countries. The rich cinematography and sensuous music compels the viewer to know more. The film offers no answers but many questions. It is up to us to perceive it in our own way and come up with our own conclusions. The movie may seem to be a wondrous jigsaw but it all does fit together to make perfect sense.

Baraka illustrates the basic elements of earth which are air, fire, water and land and how these are used in various ways by several people in different places. The movie shows an antithesis to any situation thus maintaining a balance on mother earth but yet at most times this balance is not equally shared, causing bedlam.

The movie also depicts how man has evolved from Stone Age to today’s digital world. But in the process of advancement, mankind has let machines take control of their emotions, making their lives more mechanical and monotonous. People throughout the world are becoming more materialistic day by day and are forgetting the basic fruits of life itself.

The beauty of the movie Baraka is that it targets no particular audience. It tries to convey a message without any words concentrating on the visual representation thus offending no one. It also shows that even though we are all so different in our own very ways, yet we are all the same. Baraka is indeed a one true blessing by itself as it makes the viewer acknowledge the value of life and how an individual must stop to savor each ‘blessing’ in ones life before its too late.

View trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dYZ8RWqqicQ

Debating Darwin's theory

Over the years, we believed Darwins theory, but the debate still continues...which one will prove to be the fittest?

'Survival of the Fittest' is disputed.

"Competition did not play a big role in the overall pattern of evolution”

-Professor Michael Benton (Bristol University)On the other hand,

"What is the impetus to occupy new portions of ecological space if not to avoid competition?”

-Professor Stephen Stearns (Yale University)

Is Beiber everywhere?

I dont think theres a single day where I haven't seen Beiber in the tabloids or heard him on the radio or seen him on TV.

At age 16, he got it all going on and boy... does he know it, If its not about his oh-so-gorgeous-its just-his-hair, Justin finds some odd request to fulfil everyday.

Most recently all I've been reading are requests from him in exchange of private concerts Beiber wants football lessons from David Beckham or wishes to date Emma Watson or wouldn't mind (only) if he was older courting Katy Perry and Cheryl Cole, but for now he says he would settle for advice from them so he can find girls like them...(like seriously).

Today he decided to have a biopic about his life and career (and yes, he was only born in 1994).Paramount Pictures, MTV Films and Bieber's record label, Island Def Jam, say the 16-year-old pop star has signed on to appear in the yet-to-be-titled movie and is set for release on St Valentine's weekend of 2011. Did I mention, its going to be in 3-D!

Its like he has an ever growing charm over anyone who cares to give a listen to his 'music', undoubtedly mesmerizing children aged 1-14...they are going absolutely head over heels over him. All I can say is WOW.

P.S:- I am not a fan, just awestruck. O_O

Care for some Beiber jokes

Photo Credit: www.roflrazzi.com

Sheer Brilliance

From the author of the riveting bestseller ‘The Da Vinci Code’. Deception Point is Dan Brown's third book, first published in 2001.

Deception point is a pulse-pounding fiction at its best and is a book of sheer brilliance. Brown’s book is well-researched making arcane scientific premises comprehensible; he also writes realistic dialogues that compel the reader to enliven the characters. Brown's characters in his novel are mostly slack-jawed scientists, shrewd, scheming politicians, and a couple of truly honest, righteous souls one can really trust.

Brown's pacing is certifiably breathtaking. The story jumps in short spurts and transports the reader from the ultra-secret National Reconnaissance Office to the towering ice shelves of the Arctic Circle, and back again to the hallways of power inside the West Wing, as one reads on to find out what happens next only find that while doing so, more dangling threads have been woven, more twists inserted thus letting the reader watch hell break loose.

When a new NASA satellite discovers an astonishingly rare object buried deep in the Arctic ice, the floundering space agency proclaims a much-needed victory, that has profound implications for U.S. space policy and the impending presidential election.

With the Oval Office in the balance, the President dispatches White House Intelligence analyst Rachel Sexton to the Milne Ice Shelf to verify the authenticity of the find. Accompanied by a team of experts, including the charismatic academic Michael Tolland, Rachel uncovers the unthinkable, evidence of utmost scientific trickery, truly a bold deception that threatens to plunge the world into supreme controversy.

But before Rachel can contact the President, a deadly team of private assassins controlled by a mysterious powerbroker who will stop at absolutely nothing to hide the truth, attacks her and Michael. Fleeing for their lives in an environment as desolate as it is lethal, they possess only one hope for survival: to find out who is behind this masterful ploy. The truth that they slowly learn, is the most shocking deception of all…

Who Moved My Cheese?

If the name isn’t interesting enough to catch your attention, Who Moved My Cheese? is a motivational and inspirational book that helps deal with change in ones work and life. Written by Dr. Spencer Johnson in 1998 Who Moved My Cheese? has spent over two hundred weeks on Publishers Weekly's hardcover nonfiction list.

Johnson’s writing style is conversational and illustrative.

Who Moved My Cheese? is highly recommended book to management professionals but we could all do with this read, for one it is only a mere of ninety- six pages so it wont take much time and the lesson learnt at the end is worth remembering.

Happy Cheese

Visit http://www.whomovedmycheese.com/ if you'd like to know more.

Photo Credit: focol.org

The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner: Another Vampire Sensation

Stephenie Meyer’s “Twilight” series has taken a narrative detour with the publication of “The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner.” The new novella focuses on Bree Tanner, a character introduced briefly in “Eclipse,” the third installment of the best-selling vampire series. Fans of the “Twilight” books know that Tanner has already died, so here Meyer gives us the teen runaway’s backstory, along with a few details that shed light on other characters from the series.

Reading Bree’s story enriches our reading of the Twilight saga and will enhance enjoyment of the “Eclipse” movie. Parts of the novella are woven into the film; Jodelle Ferland portrays Bree. Bree Tanner is a brilliant reminder that “Twilight’s” vampires, despite physical beauty and passion, are tragic creatures. Meyer strips them of romanticism through a teenage girl who never had a chance for happiness in her first, or second, life.

The story told feels complete, unrushed, and is oddly satisfying despite its tragic end. The writing style is a little different but no less readable than the full novels; Bree is more straightforward than Bella, less guilt-ridden and emo, and she tells her story unflinchingly. An easy read with only 192 pages as to we see all the characters we already knew through new, and perhaps less sympathetic eyes, changing your perspective on a few things in the Twilight universe.

Most interestingly, the story provides a supple, unexpected ripple in the events of Eclipse that pieces together some unnoticed dangling ends and makes the story that much more solid. Heartbreaking, exciting, and so invigorating, the story of Bree Tanner is a must read for any Twilight fan as it reminds readers why they’ve become a fan of Meyer's in the first place.

Photocredit: twilightsaga.org