[sadhuji]

Once again the controversy has surfaced – the limits of pesticides in several brands of cold drinks have reportedly crossed the limits of acceptance. The study reveals that the increase is a cause of alarm and, as is mandatory in such cases, the leaders in New Delhi took it upon themselves to have their say in the matter. The fact that the Parliament was in session saved the political parties the need for separate press conferences. As a result, the planned agenda was sidetracked and, members irrespective of political affiliations jumped into the fray to generate heat when the subject pertained to cold drinks.

A hue and cry has been raised over the matter of the presence of higher levels of pesticides in the bottled drinks. This shows that certain levels are acceptable. Therefore it is safe to conclude that whoever drew up the standards knew that it is difficult to get really pure water which is the base of all cold drinks. Especially, in our country, with pesticides being used left, right and centre to ensure proper generation of food grains, vegetables and, even, fish, it is but natural that traces of the pesticides remain inherent in the final products. We are used to seeing vegetables that have been treated by chemicals to make them look fresh. We do not hesitate to purchase them. We know that these have become a part of modern day living – nothing is available in the pure. Under the circumstances, blaming the soft drink manufacturers does not appear to be the correct attitude. Who knows, if we examine the water inside the green coconuts, we might find traces of pesticides there because we treat the ground around the coconut plants also with pesticides! Studies should be carried in other indigenous products that are regularly consumed by all of us to ascertain the levels of impurities.

The demands of our leaders to ban the associated MNCs and stop the telecast of all ads involving the cold drink giants is a natural offshoot. The effect will be felt by our cricketers who endorse the products en-masse and also by some of the film personalities who have got accustomed to the bubbly, fizzly lifestyle. The ad agencies must already be burning midnight oil to come up with preventive strategies because there are millions of rupees at stake – I wonder if they will take things lying down. No one in their right minds would like to lose a huge market as ours. Probably, we will see the old hands descend to make positive statements in support of the cold drinks.

There are experienced actors of yore who love to act nowadays as old tottering characters in their newly released films. There could be ads where these old persons, gasping for breath in their death beds, ask for a drop of their favorite drink, jump to life once it is served and start gyrating to the latest hit tunes! The pesticide laced drinks could be life saving for them!!!! In the battle for the bottle, let us wait and see who emerges the winner.

[jyotirmoy]

Sadhuji again you have made a point. I fully agree with you that we are living surrounded by chemicals in almost every thing that we touch. I have practically given up eating "parmals" which are always dipped in green paint. I have seen fish mongers colouring the gills with red paint. And as you said we may find traces of chemicals in the green coconut water. The question is what should we do. I can only think of adopting the famous "middle path", i.e consume what ever you have to & refrain from over consumption. For the Colas I am not a great fan of these & I consume very little so I don't have to worry. But I can't stay away from vegetables & fruits. The best I can do is to soak the vegetables in water for some time for the pesticides on the surface to wash away.
For the ad industry yes it is a matter of concern but such things have happened in the past & they have got around those & re-convinced us that thirst can be quenched with the colas alone or rally behind the various fruit drinks & start a new campaign..... we are all eager to fall for it..... as you said there will be screen idols who would gyrate around a mango tree & tell us how healthy it is to drink this mango drink. So we fan off in search of that buy a carton. But do we look at the fine prints? No we don't 'cause we can't.... our eyes are dazzled by the stunning visuals that appeared on the TV.

[sadhuji]

jyotirmoy, on Aug 5 2006, 01:43 AM, said:

...... The question is what should we do. I can only think of adopting the famous "middle path", i.e consume what ever you have to & refrain from over consumption. .....

that is what we should do but our famous politicians want an excuse to disrupt the proceedings of parliament and pounce on these issues. divertionary tactics, as they say in the language of warfare!!!!

[jyotirmoy]

sadhuji, on Aug 5 2006, 04:54 AM, said:

that is what we should do but our famous politicians want an excuse to disrupt the proceedings of parliament and pounce on these issues. divertionary tactics, as they say in the language of warfare!!!!

Sadhuji after the "mole" issue we will have the Pathak report on Monday. Our political leaders are surely gearing up for a grand disruption & the TV & print media can't wait. So the stage is set, actors are ready so let us have a cola & chill out.... before the action starts. Any taker????

[sadhuji]

jyotirmoy, on Aug 5 2006, 05:20 AM, said:

......Our political leaders are surely gearing up for a grand disruption & the TV & print media can't wait. ......

are our politicians not supposed to deliberate on important policies when the parliament is in session?

[jyotirmoy]

sadhuji, on Aug 5 2006, 01:58 PM, said:

are our politicians not supposed to deliberate on important policies when the parliament is in session?

Important for whom?

[sadhuji]

jyotirmoy, on Aug 5 2006, 02:34 PM, said:

Important for whom?

this, no doubt, is a million dollar question. politicians are meant to serve the people - that is what democracy is all about. the selected members of the parliament should diuscuss issues that embrace the larger masses, not play the cat and mouse games to further their selfish motives.

[jyotirmoy]

sadhuji, on Aug 6 2006, 05:07 AM, said:

this, no doubt, is a million dollar question. politicians are meant to serve the people - that is what democracy is all about. the selected members of the parliament should diuscuss issues that embrace the larger masses, not play the cat and mouse games to further their selfish motives.

Our politicians are all very humble simple persons. For them they & their kins are the only people so they try their level best to serve them. Going by the results they have done a remarkably good job. We are all proud to have stood in the queue at the polling booths & elected them. What do you say Sadhuji?
Thought of having a cola but then... me being such a pest... should I????

[sadhuji]

jyotirmoy, on Aug 6 2006, 06:59 AM, said:

.......Thought of having a cola but then... me being such a pest... should I????

I believe another lab is giving the cola a clean chit!!!