A kidney patient died recently, obstructed entry to the Emergency ward of PQI Hospital, by the Prime Ministerial Security Guards. The Govt. will persist with the VIP security, even if a million people die in the process.
Kidney diseases are rampant all over India. I believe, one of the prime causes, for the high incidence of nephrological ailments in India, is the coloring of food stuffs, particularly sweets with the coal tar dye, "metanyl yellow", a deadly chemical.
Metanyl Yellow gives bright yellow color to food. Cheap. Hence confectioners use the dye with impunity. The Municipal health authorities in every town in India play hand in glove with adulterators. Peas, Redgram and bengalgram lentil splits, the poor man's important protein sources are not left out. We get a light yellow color liquid when we wash the peas, redgram and bengal gram with water.
Turmeric is a great germicidal spice and colorant. But, it does not impart the same "bright yellow" color to food, as the metanyl yellow. Besides, larger quantities of turmeric powder are to be used when compared to the Metanyl Yellow. The prices of turmeric have shot up to Rs. 12,000 i.e. approx. US $ 250 a quantal. The turmeric is going to be beyond the reach of the common man in the near future.
Pranab Mukherjee, Indian Finance Minister is hell-bent upon eliminating food and fertiliser subsidies from Indian Budget. We cannot, therefore, expect him to subsidise turmeric cultivation, processing and marketing.
Can the Government, at least, ban and enforce strictly, the sale of the Metanyl Yellow?
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