Pics: Dayanand Kukkaje 

Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SB)

Mangaluru, Jun 1: The inauguration of ‘World Milk Day-2019’ organized by Dakshina Kannada Co-operative Milk Producers Union Ltd (DKMUL) was held at SDM Mangala Jyothi School, Vamanjoor here on Saturday June 1.

Raviraj Hegde, president, DKMUL, inaugurated the day-long activities and events in the district on the occasion by lighting a lamp. Prakash Chandra Shetty, vice president, DKMUL, Dr G P Hegde, managing director, Nandini, Dakshina Kannada, Ramesh Achar and headmistress of SDM School, Mourisha Mascarenhas, were present at the dais.
Ganesh Bhat, manager, SDM, Mangala Jyothi School, presided over the programme.

In his inaugural address, Raviraj Hegde said, "We all are habituated to drinking milk and using it for preparing various food items. But majority of us especially the current generation do not know from where milk comes and who the people behind this are. When using the packed milk we do not go beyond to know about its production and procedures involved. Actually thousands of farmers and workers are involved in milk industry. They work 365 days of the year without taking any break. They do not get involved with any strikes or agitations. All the time they aim at only to provide pure, healthy milk to the customers. World Milk Day is a golden opportunity to remember them and think about their sacrifice,"

"We are in an era where the young generation consumes lot of junk food. Even though we are aware about the side effects of these foods, we continue to consume junk food and neglect natural food like milk and milk products. It is time for every one of us to become ambassadors of milk and milk products. Health science has many a time proved that milk and its products help us to remain healthy." he added.

Speaking on the occasion, Prakash Chandra Shetty said, "There was a time when majority of families were involved with dairying and animal husbandry. They used cow milk as a part of their daily food. They were healthy and kept themselves away from diseases like cancer, diabetes, blood pressure etc. But now people have no knowledge about animal husbandry and dairying. Current-day children know the cows only by seeing their pictures or in televisions. It is our duty to teach them the benefits of cow milk and make them have it. DKMUL has been trying to collect the milk from the farmers of district and selling it directly to the consumers of district. By this we are trying to sell fresh milk without delay and contamination. It also helps farmers to get more benefit and a well-paying job. "

In his presidential address, Ganesh Bhat said, "I am also a farmer and I have animal husbandry in my native place. It is very interesting that current-day children are not aware about from where the milk is derived, and about farmers who are in villages. They only know packed milk comes from factory or industry. It is very necessary to teach them the procedure of milk production which is always good for health. I thank DKMUL for choosing SDM Mangala Jyothi School for inaugural event of Milk Day. This event helps students learn more about milk and milk-related products along with the efforts of farmers."

After the inauguration milk bottles were served to students. More than three hundred students and teachers participated in event.