Sir,

This has reference to your recent Editorial tilted, “Thought for Food.” It was indeed very commendable that you referred to Dr. K.T. Achaya. I deem it an honour to have known him and discussed lipid nutrition several times.

Dr. Achaya was a gentle giant — gentle as he was soft spoken, giant because of his awesome knowledge of lipid chemistry and nutrition. His monumental work on history of foods is worth reading by every one.

You also referred to the old generation ladies who toiled in the kitchen from dawn to dusk to prepare food. The kitchen chores took a long time and energy as labour-saving devices and ready-to-eat foods were non-existent. It is also true that these women did not have  economic independence and were largely confined to homes.

In contrast, most of the modern women go to work and share the economic burden, besides working in the kitchen too. The result of the above is evident in the increased standard of life, better education for children, better health care and increased life span. Thus, it will be an ever-lasting argument whether the old or the new is good. It will be better off to choose the good points from both to derive the benefits of the traditional and modern way of life, thus ensuring a happy, contented and healthy lifestyle.

– Dr. Leela Srinivas, K.R. Vanam

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