Daijiworld Media Network- Udupi (SN/SP)

Udupi, Mar 24: A  book release function of ten books on 100 plants, authored by Muniyalu Ganesh Shenoy was held at the Roof Top of Hotel Kidiyoor, Udupi on Sunday March 22. The event was  jointly organized by Gavali Book Endowment, Kundapur and Suhasam Organization, Udupi.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr M Mohan Alva, chairman, Alvas Education Foundation, said that most of the herbal plants are being neglected. Among the precious herbs, about 60 have become almostnon-existent, he lamented.

There was a time when some medicinal herbs could heal a person by just tying them to the body parts. Thereafter, the herbs had to be crushed and a concotion prepared therefrom was either smeared to the body or orally consumed, giving instant or fast relief from ailments. At present, even consumption of medicines is not having the desired affect. This clearly denotes that the soil is losing its richness and strength day by day. Compared toother fields, the field of herbal medicine has not seen the desired level of development at present, he observed.

Releasing the ten books of 100 book series on the occasion, Jesper Hoggard from Canada said that the  foreign market is influencing people. But the Indian food system is the best as compared to foreign countries, he felt.

Giving an example on the occasion, Hogard said, coconut oil is better as compared to the others, but the multi-nationals are spreading the notion that its use is bad. At the same time, these companies are spreading the culture of junk food in western countries, he criticized. 

Presiding over the function, U K Kumarnat, resident  editor, Vijay Karnataka Kannada daily said,  people forget that even plants have life. In the name of social forestry, the government has been destroying useful herbs, plants and weeds, which absorb essence from the soil and work to improve health of the people, he observed.

People stage protests in the city for cutting down a few trees for widening the roads. At the same time, they plant crotons instead of medicinal plants in front of the houses, he criticized.

H Shantaraj Aital, president, Suhasam Association welcomed the gathering. Muniyalu Ganesh Shenoy delivered the introductory speech. Bhuvan Prasad Hegde proposed vote of thanks. Srinivas Upadhayay compered the programme.