Somebody please tell Dr. Ambumani Ramadoss (hope I got that name right, don’t want to abuse the wrong ‘gentleman’!) to concentrate on his ministry and not court the press so often. For those who do not have any interest in politics and current affairs, Dr. Ramadoss is the Union Minister for Health, and a bonafide medical practitioner to boot. But of late, Mr. Ramadoss is behaving in a most unhealthy manner.
His response to the reservation issue and the opponents of the same was impractical to say the least, considering that he is responsible for the entire nation’s healthcare infrastructure, and should have been more attuned to the concerns of the protesting students. Maybe politics is a more deeper concern, and considering that Mr. Ramadoss is himself from a designated community, it also involves a tad amount of personal benefit. Thanks to his incompetent handling of the matter, now the H’ble Supreme Court of India is seized of the matter, when it could have devoted this precious time to disposing of the near 20-year backlog. But then who’s bothered about efficiency in this country?
Now, Mr. Ramadoss has shed his garb of a designated community representative and has now assumed the role of a nutritional expert. In his latest sermon, Mr. Ramadoss has advised television and film celebrities as also sportspersons to desist from endorsing aerated drinks such as Coca Cola or Pepsi, as he believes them to be harmful to the general health of the youth of India. Very laudable emotions, Mr. Ramadoss, and to some extent, I agree. But if you feel so strongly about it, why not revoke the marketing licenses of these companies? After all, if there is no supply of these drinks, there will be no consumption, and the celebrities also will not be required to endorse them. Come to think of it, I don’t think you have the courage to do that. After all, the license fees alone amount to a lot, added is the sales tax imposed on every bottle consumed; surely the Union Finance Ministry will have your head for even suggesting that these companies be stopped from marketing their products. We understand your concern, but your diatribe on the celebrities is meaningless.
Now, Mr. Ramadoss has trained his guns on burger joints, and again his beloved children are at risk. Mind you, if he felt so strongly about it, why wait two years before firing the initial shot? Surely it hasn’t suddenly dawned on the poor doctor that the children of India are at risk from these foreign foods? I admit again I agree with him to some extent, but this isn’t the way to do your job, doc! My suggestion still stands: If you feel so strongly about this affair, revoke the marketing licenses of all the companies concerned. It has been done before by George Fernandes, and you could do it again. Just take care to ensure that India is not harmed as it was then. If you fail to do so, God save you!
His response to the reservation issue and the opponents of the same was impractical to say the least, considering that he is responsible for the entire nation’s healthcare infrastructure, and should have been more attuned to the concerns of the protesting students. Maybe politics is a more deeper concern, and considering that Mr. Ramadoss is himself from a designated community, it also involves a tad amount of personal benefit. Thanks to his incompetent handling of the matter, now the H’ble Supreme Court of India is seized of the matter, when it could have devoted this precious time to disposing of the near 20-year backlog. But then who’s bothered about efficiency in this country?
Now, Mr. Ramadoss has shed his garb of a designated community representative and has now assumed the role of a nutritional expert. In his latest sermon, Mr. Ramadoss has advised television and film celebrities as also sportspersons to desist from endorsing aerated drinks such as Coca Cola or Pepsi, as he believes them to be harmful to the general health of the youth of India. Very laudable emotions, Mr. Ramadoss, and to some extent, I agree. But if you feel so strongly about it, why not revoke the marketing licenses of these companies? After all, if there is no supply of these drinks, there will be no consumption, and the celebrities also will not be required to endorse them. Come to think of it, I don’t think you have the courage to do that. After all, the license fees alone amount to a lot, added is the sales tax imposed on every bottle consumed; surely the Union Finance Ministry will have your head for even suggesting that these companies be stopped from marketing their products. We understand your concern, but your diatribe on the celebrities is meaningless.
Now, Mr. Ramadoss has trained his guns on burger joints, and again his beloved children are at risk. Mind you, if he felt so strongly about it, why wait two years before firing the initial shot? Surely it hasn’t suddenly dawned on the poor doctor that the children of India are at risk from these foreign foods? I admit again I agree with him to some extent, but this isn’t the way to do your job, doc! My suggestion still stands: If you feel so strongly about this affair, revoke the marketing licenses of all the companies concerned. It has been done before by George Fernandes, and you could do it again. Just take care to ensure that India is not harmed as it was then. If you fail to do so, God save you!
1 comment:
Now thats a post I like commenting on! Dear Reddy, while I share your dislike for the minister for his handling of the reservation issue, you really cannot fault him on the two other health issues you've raised.
For one, did you know, in a recent survey carried out in the 5 metros - (4 + hyderabad) - 1 out of every 5 children was found to be overweight
In a number of urban areas ,the obesity numbers are beginning to be comparable to US where obesity has been declared an epidemic. I assume that the knowledgeable writer and other readers of this blog will not need me to enlighten them on the immense economic strain obesity and related diseases put on developed countries' economies.
Once we can agree that junk food, aerated drinks are harmful lets move on to dealing with the menace. You seem to suggest that once something has been found harmful if consumed in large quantities, the govt. should straight away ban the product.
What you suggest is extremely dangerous and against the very principles of a vibrant democracy. A truly democratic govt. must run by consensus and not by judicial fiat. The minister has rightly put the issue in the media limelight by his comments. Aerated drinks are harmful if drunk by kids in large quantities as it is being done today. With the immense power of media, celebrities today have immense power to influence the thought and action of a large no. of Indians. With great power comes great responsiblity.
As for celebrities, the ones who are socially aware and responsible, will one their own move away from endorsing such products. Those who are not, who treat such things merely as earning opportunities can continue to do so. I strongly believe that one of the greatest features of a free society is that it gives you an option to choose between right and wrong. Whats so great about doing something right if you never had the choice between right and wrong? A large number of Indians (me included) today choose to avoid aerated drinks. You would know that already Coco Cola is finding a larger and larger chunk of its revenues come from the non-aerated space(read Mazaa)
As for burger joints, there has been a significant amount of branding that has gone in by Mc. Donalds and similar companies and are therefore very heavily sought after by kids. Kids today are targets for consumption at schools, on TV and at tiems even at playgrounds. Another study by AIIMS found as many as 27% of school kids in Delhi to be obese(not just overweight!)
If the current trend continues, warn health researchers, the number of obese children could double in the next 10 years.
If the minister were to ban these products today, there would be a huge public outcry. Most people would abuse the govt. of acting haughtily. By merely reminding the public at large and discouraging unhealthy consumption patterns emerging the country, the govt. has rightly allowed both the public and the food industry to mend their ways. Even before these comments by the health minister, cold drink companies, gauging public sentiment, have begun heavily prmoting their non-aerated drinks. Ice tea, mango juice, etc are being increasingly lapped up by aware consumers. In US, Mc. Donalds has already begun offering healthier alternatives to its consumers. As an when it finds a market for such products here, I am sure it will do so here too.
Change in a democratic setup should evolutionary so that it offers all parties concerned to adapt themselves. I am sure Coca Cola and Pepsi will not complain one bit if no one buys their aerated products as long as they make profits on healthier products. Its in fact better for their brand image too!
What say sir?
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