It’s time CFTRI solved malnutrition: Harsh Vardhan

Mysuru: Union science and technology minister Harsh Vardhan suggested that Central Food Technological Research Institute (CFTRI) hold a brainstorming session with nutritional experts, doctors treating nutritional deficiencies and officers of the food processing ministry to generate ideas on food products which can address malnutrition, anaemia, poverty and also come up with alternate crops for tobacco and protein rich food products for young people aspiring for a balanced diet.

He was speaking after launching ‘Make in India’ initiatives of CSIR-CFTRI here on Monday.

“The CSIR was set up soon after Independence. Even after 68 years, millions of children suffer from malnutrition and nutritional deficiencies while 87 percent of pregnant women are anaemic. Young men spend huge money on expensive, protein rich food to ensure a balanced diet. And 350 million people in the country are below the poverty line, with their average food intake less than 2250 calories. If this is the situation when we have so many scientists and such huge potential, there is something wrong in our planning process which needs to be fixed,” Dr Harsh Vardhan said.

“Only those with better innovation abilities are superior in today’s world. Our intelligence is inferior to none in the world. Ideas come when we sit together and discuss things. Plan strategies to break your own world record to emerge as a topper. You may have to think out of the box and be proactive by putting your heart and soul into your efforts,” he said.

The ‘Make in India’ campaign is not just a slogan of Prime Minister Mr Narendra Modi but a movement to restore the lost glory and pride of the country and make it a world power in every field including food and technology, Dr Harshvardhan added.