Vivek's Commentary

Mumbai, the financial capital of India, is a city of stark contradictions. On one hand, it boasts the highest per capita Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) in the country, and its municipal corporation ranks among the wealthiest in terms of revenue. Yet, paradoxically, Mumbai, Mumbai Suburban District, as well as the neighboring districts of Thane and Palghar, grapple with a severe crisis of malnutrition, affecting the most vulnerable members of its population, particularly children. In this article, we delve into this puzzling contradiction, exploring the reasons behind this alarming situation and potential solutions. Figure 1: Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) Source: Author's calculations are based on NFHS-4 and NFHS-5 data. Palghar district was established in 2014, following a partition from Thane district. Consequently, for the 2015-16 period, Palghar is considered as an integral part of Thane district. Please note that the use of red color is consistent with the formation of four