Famine and hunger
Our Hon. Food Adviser has advised us (published on 5th.April) not to call the nationwide hunger in Bangladesh a famine. He defines it as "hidden hunger"; his newly coined phrase! The adviser has great command over language! Would he kindly(of course if he has the time to spare for the citizens) illustrate to us with reference to the context in Bangladesh what is actually the food shortage leading to? Is it "silent hunger" or "unknown hunger" or just an expanded temporary aberration; harped upon by newsmen and women! Also what is the difference between "hidden" and "visible" hunger? A newspaper article on the subject from his capable pen would be most welcome.
However, call it hidden or visible hunger or silent or loud (?) famine, whatever it is, it is after all only play of words. The reality is that the majority of the people are getting less food to eat, with scarcity of rice and lentils-- popular Bengali staple foods! Mr. Adviser, we should not waste our time on anything else other than getting food-- the crying need of the hour. Undoubtedly, the poor are hungry, the middle class angry (though till now silent), while the rich couldn't care less! Patience and forbearance are said to be rewarded in heaven; but we earthlings are an intolerable bunch and need food daily to live!
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