Introspection on World Food Day organized at Amity University
New Delhi: Deliberating on how to shift to a healthy diet to achieve the ‘zero hunger’ goal of the UN-mandated Sustainable Development Goals, a Panel Discussion was organized by Amity Institute of Food Technology (AIFT) to introspect on the theme for 2019 – “Healthy Diet for A Zero Hunger World”, on the occasion of World Food Day.
World Food Day is celebrated every year on October 16 around the globe in honour of the day of the founding of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations. Prof. Dr. V.K. Modi, Head, AIFT while welcoming the dignitaries shared how a crisis of extremes loomed all over the globe with many affected by obesity and others by food insecurity. “Our Actions will determine our future, as stated by the World Food Day declaration for the year 2019,” shared Dr Modi.
Dr. Geetanjali Tahilramani, Nutritionist, Hindurao Hospital, Delhi emphasized on the fact that how food is a basic and fundamental right for all. “World Food Day is a day of action dedicated to tackling global hunger. And these events promote worldwide awareness and action for those who suffer from hunger and for the need to ensure food security and nutritious diets for all,” shared Dr Tahilramani. She also shared that while millions go hungry, 672 million people suffer from obesity and a further 1.3 billion are overweight. She also stressed on the need to identify the root causes for our stagnant hunger index. “To avert nutrition crisis, one should eat enough, safe, nutritious and diverse foods to lead an active life and reduce the risk of disease,” said Dr Tahilramani.
Dr. A. Madhavan, President, AFST (I), Delhi Chapter said how the country is losing future citizens of the country due to malnutrition. “There is hunger all around. We should introspect on where we have gone wrong. There is food available but people are unable to access it because of poverty and they don’t have the buying power. Even if they get it, they lack the desired nutrients. By virtue of policy framework we have to address these problems. Collective action of youngsters is needed,” shared Dr. A. Madhavan.
Dr. Nutan Kaushik, Director General, Food & Agriculture Foundation, Amity University averred that malnutrition is not only through poverty but also because of food habits and food choices. “A healthy mind stays in healthy body and a healthy body comes only when here is healthy diet,” said Dr Kaushik. Mr. H.G. Rishi Kumara Das, Food Safety Head, ISKON and Mr. Ayush Gupta, CEO, Yellow Squash Pvt. Ltd., Noida also shared their views on the topic with hundreds of students present during the programme. A nukkad natak on the theme of food scarcity and poverty was also organized by students of Bachelors of Food Technology.