Very rarely you come across an article that hits you like an avalanche. Searching through my emails upon return after a long period of absence from New Delhi, and in the process missing the excitement of the Independence Day celebrations, I had merely set my eyes on this article. And within minutes I read through, the underlying passion holding me spellbound. I must say it is a powerful indictment of the way we have allowed our mind to be colonised (to borrow a phrase from the write-up).
I will not hold you for long from this magnificent piece that paints a picture of an Independent India that we want to hide. The reason is simple. Whether we like it or not we are the real beneficiary (and in many ways product) of this system that merrily goes on widening the gulf between the rich and poor, and between the haves and have nots. This article makes you think. You may not have all the answers but certainly you can begin by doing something that makes a difference. Come on, wake up, and do your bit to bridge the widening gulf in our society. That will be true celebration.
As Sangita Sharma says in her piece "Still Imprisoned, what Independence?" (posted on My Right To Safe Food list): "The whole nation and NRI's galore go into a frenzy by showing patriotism on this particular day. Only to indulge in a superficial celebration, pretending all is well. But all is not! After 63 years of this so called Independence hard earned by our freedom fighters, we have not only let them down but ourselves unfortunately. Our policy makers, industry and scientists have progressed. But not the masses of citizens who remain mute spectators."
Still Imprisoned, what Independence?
By Sangita Sharma
Just back after attending Independence Day celebrations by the little stars of Parmanand Education Trust (P.ET). This incredible school educates 250 underprivileged children from various backgrounds ranging from domestic help, contract workers, security guards, orphans, including 12 of my farmers children and more from surrounding villages. Witnessing these children perform with such zeal and enthusiasm was so heart provoking. A dedicated lot of enterprising teachers choreographed painstakingly short skits and dance performances translating the essence of true Freedom.
This one particular skit made a deep impact on me. I hope it did the same to a whole lot of parents, educationists and passers by. This act depicted the currently existing vices like corruption, unhealthy environment, untouchability, dowry, poverty, caste system and ugly bickering politics. How each one of these vices need to be overcome by reflecting the need to stand up for honesty, transparency, harmony of one and all. After which as future awakened citizens, a celebration of FREEDOM ensued. Truly outstanding.
This to me is our Freedom, not this mindless futile emotive of wishing each other a "Happy Independence Day". The whole nation and NRI's galore go into a frenzy by showing patriotism on this particular day. Only to indulge in a superficial celebration, pretending all is well. But all is not! After 63 years of this so called Independence hard earned by our freedom fighters, we have not only let them down but ourselves unfortunately. Our policy makers, industry and scientists have progressed. But not the masses of citizens who remain mute spectators. Alarm bells ring loud. The health of our nation is under serious jeopardy.
The proof is right in front of you.
We have an an estimated 421 million in poverty. 360 million dying of hunger. We breed a sick nation with every second person a victim of some chronic disease. Is this Freedom? But there is not - a squeak against the policy makers who get away by designing policies to suit the vested interests of the 48 dollar billionaires and about a 100,000 millionaires in our country.
- Not a squeak against faulty farm policies designed to suit industry but not our farmers. Traditional seeds are under threat, a direct consequence of our food being under assault.
- Not a squeak against pharmaceutical industry that releases day after day new drugs, new vaccines, new prescriptions to suit a new diseases. But the root cause is never tackled. Progress in science they call it but in reality designed to fill their coffers. No wonder India is the Diabetic capital in the world with only a 40.9 million people being diabetic.
- Not a squeak against the flourishing food processing industry that unleashes day after day countless toxic refined foods. In short, we blindly accept the claims of these politically correct nutritionists.
There is no distinction made by these diet dictocrats :
-between whole grains and refined grains, cereals, nuts and more that have lost their nutrients
-Between foods grown organically and those grown with fertilizers, pesticides and now genetically engineered.
-Between unprocessed dairy products and pasteurized dairy products from confined animals raised on processed feed.
•Between fresh and rancid fats
•Between natural and battery produced eggs and more
Just look at the irony - It single out foods grown by independent producers – small farmers but spares the powerful and highly profitable food processing industry, vegetable refined oil producers. It gives lip service to the overwhelming evidences implicating refined sugar as a major cause of degenerative diseases but spares the soft drink industry. It raises not a murmur against the refined flour, hydrogenated fats and foods adulterated with harmful preservatives like emulsifiers and coloring agents. In short, the traditional foods that nourished our ancestors is now replaced with the new toxic products that dominate the modern market place. Diet Dictocrats endorse this, they are none other than doctors, policy makers, scientists, health associations and more. Dr Sally Fallon has articulated this truths in her book Nourishing Traditions.
With the result being immunities are collapsing. Children are the victims for they are far more susceptible. Children as old as 6 reach puberty, youth at 18 suffering heart attacks, cancer, BP and more. Is this the future we wish to provide our children? What kind of independence is this?
We the educated citizens wear blinkers and stay trapped but do nothing within our own country, then who is to blame? The enemy is not outside of our borders. The enemy resides well within us. Colonised we still are but within our own minds. Our defenses and voice of reasoning dies a tragic death each day. We have no time to question the oppressive institutional policies that have constantly undermined the well being of our nation. Henry Kissinger's forecast is well underway “ if you want to control nations control oil, but if you want to control the society control food”. A handful of MNC's are merrily controlling our food chain. Whilst they laugh their ways to their banks, you suffer your way to the hospitals with a big dent in your pocket.
Wake up. Set yourself free from the clutches of sense habits. Raise your voices against the diktats of the junk, processed food produce. Boycott all such products.
The Right to Safe Food Choices and Good Health is our constitutional Right. Demand it.
Freedom lies with us. Just shift the gears in your minds and START.
Read the full piece at: http://myrighttosafefood.blogspot.com/2010/08/still-imprisoned-what-independence.html
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