The Philosophical English Academy of St Joseph’s Institute of Philosophy in association with Chair in Christianity, Mangalore University organised a lecture on “Food as Vaccine” on January 30 at C. M. Hall, St Joseph’s Seminary, Mangalore.

The resource person of the day was the well-known consultant physician of Mangalore Dr Srinivasa Kakkilaya and the moderator of the session was the rector of Gladsom Home for Graduate Students, Rev. Dr Leo Lasrado.  

The secretary of the Academy, Jakkula Joshua welcomed all. Rev. Dr Leo Lasrado introduced the speaker and effectively moderated the session. The resource person Dr Srinivasa Kakkilaya beautifully narrated the history of humans who evolved themselves as consumers of food. He said, “Food is everything. It is business, politics, nourishment, metabolism etc. Humans were not food producers. They were hunters and gatherers. They began to use fire and had cooked food. Our system has evolved from cooked food. In the wild there were no diseases. Today we are affected with ‘diseases of modernity’ or ‘diseases of civilization’. We have become a sugar addicted society. All our modern diseases like diabetes, blood pressure, Alzheimer, ageing, hypertension etc. are due to the consumption of sugar contained food. Hence, give up sugar contained food, milk and its products, fruits, processed grains and deep-fried food items. Our diet should include more vegetables, meat, eggs and fish.”

He added, “Covid caused problems to all people with modern diseases. Our food is controlled by political forces, pharma companies, medical world and even religious ideologies. We should question the people who are misleading us.”

After an interesting interactive question-answer session, the anchor of the program Flexon Lobo proposed the vote of thanks. The program was concluded by listening to the preamble of the constitution to mark the anniversary of assassination of our Father of Nation, Mahatma Gandhi. Around 200 participants benefitted from this effective and relevant session. Most Rev. Dr Aloysius Paul D’Souza-Bishop Emeritus, Rev. Dr Ronald Serrao-the Rector of the seminary, Rev. Fr Naveen Pinto-the Administrator, Teaching Staff and students of Philosophy and Theology, priests, religious sisters and other guests were present for the lecture.