Diet: A Key Fundamental Right

The Constitution of India was put into effect on January 26, 1950 laying down our fundamental rights and duties that define every Indians right to basic human freedom, irrespective of race, place of birth, religion, caste or gender. India made food a fundamental right by passing The Food Security Bill 2013.

Gandhiji was convinced that the main reason we fall sick is due to maladjustments in the food systems and it was necessary to rectify the wrong via a proper diet.

Good nutrition is one of the most important fundamental rights of any Indian citizen. The late President of India APJ Abdul Kalam rightly said, “Healthy food, healthy body, healthy mind, healthy nation” in 2008 and nine years later this still holds true.

Wake up and realise that your dietary choices each day have a cumulative effect and wrong choices will catch up. Initially, the effects will be small like indigestion, constipation, lack of feeling satiated, fatigue, irritability, anger, poor memory. Finally it can lead to life threatening diseases like diabetes, high blood pressure and even cancer. That’s why smart people have chosen to follow excellent eating habits. We must realise that every action adds up and becomes a cause and has an effect leading to certain destinations and it’s the same with your food choices. Poor quality food leads to poor mental and physical health.

Nobel Prize winner Amartya Sen stated that good nutrition improves brain function, immunity and energy which will ultimately help in economic growth and development of the nation. A person with low IQ, energy, immunity leads to a poor performance. Taking heed of these words, the only way in which we can aim to become a super power nation is if we eat super foods to get a super brain to perform incredibly to get an incredible India. So let’s understand that one of our fundamental duties is to provide good food for all.

How can we forget the power of food as Hinduism laid great stress on this subject and the Bhagvad Gita speaks of various psychological effects produced by different kinds of foods. ‘Jaisa Aahar Vaisa Vichaar’ endorsed not only by spiritual leaders but also by the world today.

There is absolutely no nutrient, vitamin, protein or mineral that can’t be achieved from plant based foods. The Indian daily diet has a huge choice of plant based foods that are naturally miraculously healing and today the world is acknowledging them as super foods.

So on this Republic Day, take a moment to imagine an idealistic image of yourself -- Intelligent, healthy, calm, strong, compassionate, successful, and benevolent. Could such an image be reached by eating processed foods like white flour, white sugar, bad quality fats, fried food, junk food? Of course not! Not all foods are equal, some have more power, and some have less so choose the most powerful produce.

Comprehend one thing, food is just not the factor that affects us, it is the primary factor as what we put in our body definitely affects us. You are what you eat is so true. Our mind and body is literally chiseled by the food choices we make. It is about time we wake up to nourishing our children not only with love but with food that is pure and safe.

On this 68th Republic Day, the best service that you can provide to your country is to take a pledge to provide and demand for all citizens of India:
1. Safe drinking water
2. Unadulterated food
3. Organic food Fresh food
4. Fresh foods
5. Seasonal food
6. More vegetables
7. Fruits
8. Spices, Herbs and Condiments
9. Unpolished whole grains and millets
10. Good quality oils and fats from Seeds, Nuts, Cows Ghee and Coconut
11. More plant based proteins
12. Slow cooked food
13. Nuts and seeds
14. Honest labeling on all food products
15. Education on the importance of nutrition

Good food is the birthright of every citizen. Otherwise it is not possible for the country to progress physically mentally or spiritually. Take control of your health. Triumph over diseases and overcome obstacles for optimum wellness. Remember the Vedic hymn before eating “Aum annapate’annasya no dheyanamivasya shushminah, prapra dataram tarisa’urjam no dhehi dvipade chatushpade” translated to “May the food I eat be beneficial for my body and may everyone be blessed with food”. Choose to be healthy for discovering a new you and a brighter nation.

- Naini Setalvad