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Save food Share Food Share Joy – An Initiative to combat Hunger
In a generation where exploration of Mars represents the next frontier, the fact that people are still starving and malnourished should be a major concern. Addressing the elimination of hunger is not only a humanitarian and social concern, but an important parameter of the Human Development Index. Hunger and malnourishment affect the pillars of this index. Poor nutrition and lack of food leads to weakness and immunity deficiency, making greater susceptibility to illness and health.
Here are seven solutions to combat world hunger:
- Food Donations: One of the simplest ways to combat world hunger is to initiate more food collection drives.
- Urban Farming
- Sustainable Farming
- Government Intervention
- Birth Control Education
- Access to Credit
- Access to Education
If food production is boosted through intensive farming, it may not alleviate the problem as a supplemental solution. The objective of intensive farming is to increase productivity through chemical fertilizers and pesticides. This can create a “double whammy” impact for poor farmers. A study in Bangladesh conducted by Prof. Adrian Martin from Britain’s University of East Anglia has shown that investors and large landowners profit from salt-water shrimp production, but poor farmers suffer from soil salinization that undermines their rice production. Intensification may not be beneficial in the long run as it often undermines the vital underlying conditions for growth.
One in nine people already do not have enough food, and the world population is expected to reach 9.8 billion by 2050.
To address this important social cause and strengthen the backbone of an economy, a very simple and humane approach of “Share the Food” can help eradicate this problem to a greater extent.
In our country, FSSAI has framed a law to promote food donation. The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has taken the initiative of enforcing acts from 1st July 2020, under which it encourages the donation of food and grocery products to nonprofit organizations for distribution to needy individuals. This acts as a legitimate backup by mobilizing and utilizing recovery and distribution of surplus food. It bridges a gap between “waste and want.” Hence, the prevention of food waste and promotion of surplus, and its distribution in a meticulous manner acts as a global concern today. India, despite being the second largest food producer in the world, ranks 103rd out of 119 hungriest countries, as per the Global Hunger Index 2014.
FSSAI took the initiative to the next level by discussing with 20 surplus food distribution agencies from different parts of the country to understand the procedure through which the government can intervene for safe distribution of surplus food.
This initiative of “Save Food, Share Food, Share Joy” would work towards the adoption of the first solution — Food Donations — to combat hunger, through food collection drives by connecting food companies, surplus distribution agencies, and beneficiaries. The Indian Food Sharing Alliance (IFSA) is to be created which would render a system of networking food collection with recovery agencies and enable them to bridge the gap between food surplus bodies and food-deficit masses. This would create a common platform benefiting the deprived class with regulatory support, food safety training, and capacity building efforts.
At Vivekanand Business School (VBS Mumbai), being socially responsible isn’t just a chapter in a textbook — it’s part of how students learn to lead. The message behind initiatives like “Save Food, Share Food, Share Joy” is something that deeply resonates with the values we instill through the Vivekanand PGDM program.
As one of the best PGDM colleges in Mumbai, VBS emphasizes that business education should go hand in hand with social impact. Whether it’s addressing hunger, inequality, or environmental sustainability, students are encouraged to think beyond profits and understand their responsibility as future business leaders.
The learning experience at VBS goes far beyond the classroom. Students participate in community outreach programs, sustainability drives, and hands-on projects that connect classroom theory with real-world application. These are not extra activities — they’re built into the structure of the VBS PGDM curriculum, helping students develop both their professional abilities and their sense of purpose.
How Students at VBS Lead Social Change
One of the unique strengths of VBS Mumbai is its student-led culture. Learners take initiative in organizing drives, planning events, and finding innovative ways to solve social challenges. Whether it’s food donation campaigns, neighborhood clean-up drives, or wellness camps, these initiatives are designed and managed by students — applying what they learn in Marketing, Operations, or HR to create meaningful impact.
These real-world experiences not only build leadership and teamwork but also give students a genuine sense of achievement. They learn to ask tough questions: How can I make business more inclusive? How can I use my skills to solve problems in society? These are the kinds of reflections that shape responsible leaders.
Creating Leaders Who Understand the Bigger Picture
Today’s employers are looking for more than just technical skills — they want people who care. Someone who understands sustainability, who knows how to make decisions that are both smart and ethical. At VBS, we believe that’s exactly what a modern manager should be.
When students engage in causes like “Save Food, Share Food, Share Joy”, they’re not just helping others — they’re building character, gaining empathy, and learning how to lead with values. These experiences leave a lasting impression and make VBS graduates stand out in the job market.
If you’re looking for a PGDM in Mumbai that goes beyond books and prepares you for the real world — professionally and socially — Vivekanand Business School is the place to be. Join a community where leadership meets purpose, and where business is not just about success, but about making a difference.
Dr. Debjani Banerjee
Associate Dean, International Affairs
Vivekanand Business School
