By Indra Shekhar Singh – Hindustan Times, 3 August 2015
Source: http://paper.hindustantimes.com/epaper/viewer.aspx?noredirect=true#
NEW DELHI: In a packed hall of the Indian Medical Association in Meerut on Sunday, Vandana Shiva — an environmentalist and physicist — kicked off the Anna Swaraj Andolan.
Shiva, who was the keynote speaker at the event, talked about the preservation of the soil, security of farmer’s rights and ecology during the meeting.
The event was organised by Navdanya and Shajad Rai Research Institute, Barauat and was chaired by Ajay Gupta, convener of the Netaji Subash Chandra Bose Samiti, Meerut.
Speaking to the HT later, Shiva said, “From Meerut, the sacred land of our first freedom movement of 1857, a new freedom movement for Food Freedom (Anna Swaraj) was launched today by Navdanya.”
“Food freedom is based on the liberation of the earth from ecological destruction and toxic pollution, the liberation of the farmers from suicides due to debt created by dependence on purchase of costly chemicals and seeds, and the liberation of the citizens from malnutrition and disease caused by toxic pesticides,” she added.
Overall, Shiva said, “We started the Anna Swaraj Abhiyan with a campaign on Food Smart Citizens for Food Smart Cities – connecting producers to consumers and the village with the town in direct links of safe, fresh, local and fair food.”
The event saw a huge attendance of doctors and residents of Meerut. People and farmers flocked to the Indian Medical Association hall.
Sharing the stage with Shiva was Dr VK Bindra, who spoke about the grave dangers use of insecticides and pesticides use posed. “Even low exposure to pesticides can lead to cancers. Pesticides can be mutagenic to human being,” Bindra said.
Mitul Jain of Meerut said: “India spends over hundred billion dollars in cancer treatments alone. I think if we just change our food habits and eat fresh and organic, all the pain and medical expenditure can easily be avoided. I hope they carry this message to all parts of the country.
Related Campaign
Food Smart Citizens for Food Smart Cities
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Navdanya launches the #annaswarajandolan, third freedom movement, #IMAMeerut pic.twitter.com/xMP7DgyXGs
— Navdanya (@NavdanyaBija) August 2, 2015
80,000% increase is seeds cost
— Navdanya (@NavdanyaBija) August 2, 2015
Dr.Vandana Shiva "there is mandatory labelling in India"
— Navdanya (@NavdanyaBija) August 2, 2015
Dr VK Bindra: "Only if you protect nature will you be able to protect yourself" #annaswarajandolan
— Dr. Vandana Shiva (@drvandanashiva) August 2, 2015
Dr VK Bindra: Pesticides can be mutagenic to humans.
— Dr. Vandana Shiva (@drvandanashiva) August 2, 2015
Dr VK Bindra: non hodgkins lymphoma, leukemia, more likely with pesticide exposure #annaswarajandolan
— Dr. Vandana Shiva (@drvandanashiva) August 2, 2015
DrVKBindra chromosome mutation caused by pesticide, causing a spiralling genetic damage in the body, counter by #annaswarj
— Navdanya (@NavdanyaBija) August 2, 2015
Dr.V.K.Bindra over 1 lac metric ton consumption of pesticide since 1996 #IMAMeerut
— Navdanya (@NavdanyaBija) August 2, 2015
Dr.V.KBindra #pesticidepoisoning causes cancer in most organs of the body #IMAMeerut
— Navdanya (@NavdanyaBija) August 2, 2015
Dr VK Bindra: Chronic exposure to even low amounts of pesticides leads to Cancers #annaswarajandolan pic.twitter.com/5D32dBxiCb
— Dr. Vandana Shiva (@drvandanashiva) August 2, 2015
Dr. Tomar "dirty dozen – apples, peaches, strawberries …highest #pesticidepoisoning
— Navdanya (@NavdanyaBija) August 2, 2015
Dr Tomer: 98% of pesticides do not reach intended 'target' and end up in our soil, water, air.. #annaswarajandolan
— Dr. Vandana Shiva (@drvandanashiva) August 2, 2015
Dr.Tomar shows the xray evidence of #pesticideabsorption & states 97%#pesticidepoisoning through skin, #IMAMeerut. pic.twitter.com/CAhPt22TLK
— Navdanya (@NavdanyaBija) August 2, 2015
Young children are most susceptible to #pesticidepoisoning at #IMA, Meerut
— Navdanya (@NavdanyaBija) August 2, 2015
Doctors state species diversity decline, #earthworms & numerous birds in Meerut, by intensive pesticide spraying #IMA pic.twitter.com/E9Mpr3HbRj
— Navdanya (@NavdanyaBija) August 2, 2015
Dr Tomer : rise of cancers in the Meerut area due to Green Revolution pesticide use #annaswaraj pic.twitter.com/Auudtz6xi9
— Dr. Vandana Shiva (@drvandanashiva) August 2, 2015
Stand taken to prevent suffering of people #organicfood pic.twitter.com/U1YyebZiUA
— Navdanya (@NavdanyaBija) August 2, 2015
The movement towards reclaiming our #food begins in Meerut, for #organic&safe #fresh&local #fair&true
— Navdanya (@NavdanyaBija) August 2, 2015
#doctors #scientists #farmers meet on the same platform to join #AnnaSwarajAndolan @occupytheseed @drvandanashiva pic.twitter.com/Z3sOcTYoSi
— Navdanya (@NavdanyaBija) August 2, 2015
2nd August, 2015 #AnnaSwarajAndolan at IMA, Meerut @drvandanashiva pic.twitter.com/rmrhX10nKk
— Navdanya (@NavdanyaBija) August 2, 2015
First freedom movement began in Meerut #Navdanya launches the third freedom movement to becoming #FoodSmartCitizens pic.twitter.com/HeqZbxjSxz
— Navdanya (@NavdanyaBija) August 2, 2015
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