Even States that claim to have impressive economic growth report severe under-nutrition and high infant mortality, particularly among their tribal populations. At an anganwadi centre in Satna district in Madhya Pradesh. STATE OF DENIAL What people outside Madhya Pradesh hear of the State is about the Stupas of Sanchi, the ancient heritage of Bhimbhetka and the inspiring love legends of Mandu. What they do not hear is that at 60 per cent, the State ranks first in the proportion of children affected by malnutrition; that at 70 per 1,000 live births, the State has the highest infant mortality rate (IMR) in the country; and that over six lakh children have died in the State in the five-year period from 2005-06 to 2009-10, according to National Family Health Survey (NFHS)-3 and the Sample Registration System (SRS) 2008. In fact, malnutrition has reached epidemic proportions in the State during the last half decade. According to NFHS-3, over 82 per cent of the children in the State are anaemic. The IMR for the tribal population is 95.6/1000 live births, while the under-five mortality among tribal people is a shocking 140.4/1,000 live births. Tribal regions have been the worst hit, with governmental apathy and the bureaucracy