My father died at the ripe old age of 88 years on the 8th day of the 8th month (August) in the year 88. The death occurred neither in a hospital bed nor after much illness but immediately after a long journey of about 88 kilometres whereby he intended to visit one of his daughters.

He had his own notions of food and food habits. He had not been exposed to innumerable advertisements that are constantly presented to us today by the television and the print media regarding this vitamin or that or calcium, bone enhancers and what not.

My children, on the contrary, have been made very conscious about vitamins A, Bco, D, calcium, proteins, etc. by these advertisements. The so-called medical men and nutritionists keep on advising us endlessly as to what food we should take, how often, in what proportion and whole host of other things such as how to bite your food in a scientific manner, how to chew it and how to swallow, etc.

So, I wish to tell all discerning men, women and particularly youngsters that you should ignore all this advertising propaganda through the media and the internet. Please develop strength of character to withstand them and not fall victim to them though difficult it may be.

The commercialised world is there ready to entice you all the while in quite a subtle manner. Be cautious. What you should eat and your eating habits should be governed by your own instincts and needs and not by such advice. It is best if you could adopt a vegetarian food pattern. Even the so-called medical men and nutritionists who pontificate on us must not be taken too seriously. Please take what they say with a pinch of salt. They are probably secret agents of multi-national vitamin manufacturers who are hell bent on making a fast buck at your cost or even at the cost of your health. Note that my father lived such a successful and long life owing to non-exposure to this kind of propaganda.
Dharmapala Senaratne
Gothatuwa New Town