Starvation is related to Rukmani in the way that Rukmani blames her family for Old Granny's death by starvation.
Nectar in a Sieve is Kamala Markandaya’s first published novel which follows the story of one woman living in poverty in rural India during a time of great change.
Rukmani is the narrator of the novel and she is described as hard-working and supportive wife, daughter, and mother. Rukmani felt really sad because of the fact that not even a tenth of those seeking help can get it, even Old Granny who lived in the street and died of starvation: her body was found outside, on a path near a well.