Speakers at a seminar today called for taking benefits of scientific research to the common man and drafting long term policies to ensure lasting nutritional security for every household in the country.
V M Katoch, Secretary, Department of Health and Director General, Indian Council of Medical Research, said "symbolic science" practised by scientists would be of no help if benefits of research do not reach the common man.
He was speaking as chief guest at the 45th conference of the Nutrition Society of India (NSI) at the National Institute of Nutrition (NIN) here.
Katoch said institutes like NIN should build research- cum applicable projects. While there is no lack of political will, India has failed to generate scientific knowledge that can convince people.
In his message to the seminar, C Gopalan, Founder President of NSI, said while he welcomed Government's efforts to end hunger by means of the Food Security Act, there is a need for long-term solutions.
"There is a need to realise that in the ultimate analysis lasting nutritional security can be achieved only when each household is able and willing to access nutritional food inputs for all its members," he said in the message read out by B Sesikeran, Vice President of NSI.
Gopalan said the plan to distribute foodgrains at heavily subsidised prices to large sections of the population may be justified in short term, but it can't be a long term solution.
About 1,200 delegates from all over the country are participating in the two-day conference.
