What it is and its causes

A general extreme scarcity of food grains in a country is called a Famine.  A Famine may be due to various causes.  It is usually caused by want or excess of rain.  It is also caused when food crops are sent to other countries.  It is also caused by the ravages of locusts and other insects.

The effect of a famine

When a Famine breaks out in a country, the condition of the people becomes miserable.  People go without food for a number of days.  Sometimes they live on leaves and roots of trees.  They sell their cattle and all household articles to buy food.  Many people sell their children for food.  For want of food, people are reduced to skeletons.  Many men commit theft and robbery for food.  Famine presents a horrible scene in a country.  Many people die for want of food.  Epidemic diseases break out, because people eat whatever they get.

In India, famines break out veryoften.  Crops are destroyed by floods or want of rain.  Food grains are exported abroad.  People are generally poor. Their condition becomes pitiable.  Many great famines broke out in India.  Of these, the Bengal famines of 1770 and 1943, the Orissa Famine of 1869, the Deccan Famine of 1879 and the Guzerat Famine of 1900 are terrible.  It is impossible to describe fully the sufferings of the famine-stricken people.

How to prevent famines

The Government of a country should take steps to prevent the outbreak of famines.  Farmers should be trained to cultivate their lands on a scientific basis.  Improved machineries should be used by farmers.  A large number of canals should be dug so that fields may be watered easily.  In this way, food crops will grow in plenty.  There should connect all the parts of a country.  Thus if crops fail in one part of the country, and a Famine breaks out, other parts may supply it with sufficient food grains.

How to help the sufferers

When a Famine breaks out, it is the duty of Government should open relief funds.  People should raise money and help the famine-stricken people.  Government should also open relief works to give employment to the sufferers.  Loans should be given to them.  Revenue should be remitted.  Rice and other grains should be sent from all parts of the country to the famine-stricken area.  It should be given free or at a low price to the people.  In Bengal, the Ramakrishna Mission and other charitable institutions help the sufferers with money, food and cloth whenever there is a Famine.

Conclusion

It is beyond the power of men to prevent famines altogether.  They can however, lessen their sufferings if steps are taken beforehand.