From 110 kg to 78 kg: Retired Himachal agri officer credits millets for health revival
'I was taken aback when I found myself struggling with obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, and a fatty liver,' Dr Rakesh Prabhakar told The Indian Express during a two-day workshop on 'Enhancing Resilience in Rainfed Agriculture Systems in Himachal', which concluded on Friday. 'Over the months that followed, I drastically reduced my grain intake and switched entirely to millet-based foods. The results have been life-changing', he said.
Prabhkar was invited to participate as a panelist in the chapter 'Reviving Millets Through Community Centric Approach in Himachal Pradesh' during the workshop.
A resident of Solan, Prabhakar retired from government service in 2013. He recalls suffering from recurring health issues for nearly a decade, including painful nodules across his body. 'I was on medication for years. I was battling with high blood pressure (BP), sugar and other ailments. It took me around 14 to 15 months to reform myself. I cut out wheat completely and replaced it with millets. Initially, I tried boiled vegetables, but they didn't help much. It was only after switching to millets that I started to see real change,' the doctor said.
Prabhakar said he never took recommendations of millet champion and Padma Shri awardee Nek Ram who was in his contact for a long time — 'seriously'. However, in 2023, he thought to himself that he should test this theory.
'Indeed, it was not easy to shift from wheat to completely on the millets. Over the decades, our digesting system has become habitual for the wheat products. For the initial weeks, I faced difficulty in using millets also known as Motta Anaz but as I started feeling transformation in my body, I followed millets' diet strictly. I gave up wheat, sugar, bread, refined flour (maida), and both soft and hard drinks.'
'I only take lemon with black salt. Initially, my body struggled to digest millets — they are heavy — but over time I adjusted. We have become entirely independent of wheat now,' he said.
Prabhakar also recounted multiple hospital visits, including consultations at the PGIMER Chandigarh's gastroenterology and oncology departments. 'Those were difficult years,' he said. 'But now, I even recommend this millet diet to my wife Garima, who is eight years younger to me.'
Padma Shri awardee Nek Ram also spoke at the workshop, highlighting the benefits of traditional millets such as ragi, kodo, kangni, and jowar. 'They are light on the digestive system and help reduce dietary overload,' Nek Ram said.
Prabhakar emphasised that while people are increasingly aware of millets, many still lack knowledge on how to prepare them. 'We need more awareness about millet recipes and cooking methods,' he said.
The workshop brought together agricultural scientists, policy makers, and grassroots-level farmers to deliberate on strategies for improving crop resilience and promoting sustainable farming practices in rainfed regions. Millets — known for their hardiness, nutritional value, and low water requirements — emerged as a central theme.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New Indian Express
a day ago
- New Indian Express
Guardians of the green cure: Kani healers fight to keep forest medicine alive
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: There is a girlish spright in her steps as she sashays into the thick, verdant spread surrounding her mud house, the insides of which reflect a deeply earthy aesthetic — smoking stoves, dim interiors, and a clustered room brimming with mementoes and accolades she has earned over the years. At 81, Lakshmikutty Amma takes pride in all that she has achieved, especially the Padma Shri, which reached her from Delhi to the remote, reclusive stretch of land nestled in Ponmudi's Kallar forest range. She remains passionately engaged in her vocation, one handed down through generations of her tribe, the Kani, known for their intrinsic knowledge of the Western Ghats. 'I have two people coming tomorrow for treatment,' Lakshmi exclaims, adding that people seek her help for relief from migraines, rheumatoid arthritis, and lifestyle ailments related to diabetes or blood pressure. 'But my forte is vishavaidyam, that is treating poisoning from bites of snakes or other reptiles.' Both Ayurvedic and allopathic practitioners come to learn from her — a Class 8 dropout. 'But remember, Class 8 in my youth was a hefty education for tribespeople,' she smiles. Though Lakshmi is the most well-known, the stretch of forest is home to several such traditional physicians from the Kani clan who continue to practise tribal medicine. Mallan Kani and his son Ashok are one such duo, running a clinic near the main road leading to Ponmudi.
India Today
2 days ago
- India Today
An edge that endures Top Medical University
AIIMS continues as the top choice of postgraduate students not only for its cutting-edge facilities, superb faculty and exposure to vast patient inflow, but also for its eager embrace of latest tech like AI No. 1: All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi The All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), was conceived as an institution of excellence that embodied the hopes of a new India, and it has stayed true to that vision. Established in 1956 as an institution of national importance, it was envisioned by then prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru and spearheaded by Union health minister Rajkumari Amrit Kaur. Over the decades, AIIMS Delhi has emerged as India's premier medical institution, renowned for its cutting-edge research, high patient turnover, and specialised treatment facilities. While an MBBS degree from here is much coveted, a PG degree is no less sought after. Postgraduate education at AIIMS Delhi is widely regarded as the pinnacle of medical training in India, offering an unmatched blend of academic excellence, clinical exposure and research opportunities. The institute attracts the country's brightest minds through the highly competitive bi-annual INI-CET exam for admission to the MD/ MS/ DM/ MCh courses. It is taken by 50,000 MBBS and 25,000 dental graduates annually, yet less than one per cent secure a seat. Spread over a large, green campus in South Delhi's Ansari Nagar, the institute offers world-class facilities that promote both professional and personal growth. Students say the highlight of PG education here is the faculty. They guide residents through complex clinical cases, research methodology, biostatistics and critical thinking. With a focus on both teaching and innovation, AIIMS faculty members are not just instructors, they are role models who shape the future of Indian and global healthcare. In 2024 itself, the AIIMS faculty had many achievements to their credit. This year, Dr Neerja Bhatla, head of Gynae Oncology, was honoured with the Padma Shri this year for her pioneering work in cervical cancer prevention. Under Dr DeepakAgrawal's leadership, AIIMS became the first in India to employ Gamma Knife radiosurgery for treating retinoblastoma (cancer in the retina) in children. Dr AshokKumarMahapatra led a groundbreaking multi-hour separation of conjoined craniopagus twins (joined at the head) at AIIMS Delhi, earning national acclaim. Dr PrasunChatterjee was elected Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh (December 2024) and serves on the WHO Technical Advisory Group for Healthy Ageing. Another big plus point of AIIMS Delhi is its vast and diverse patient inflow from across India, providing PG students with unparalleled exposure to rare and complex cases. This strengthens clinical skills and diagnostic acumen. AIIMS operates one of the busiest trauma centres in Asia, which means students learn how to cope with emergencies and high stress cases from day one itself. There is also the central library, one of the best in Asia, which offers access to thousands of medical journals, e-resources and research databases. Dedicated reading zones and 24/7 digital access are available for PG students. Most importantly, PG students are encouraged to engage in original research, supported by the AIIMS research cell, ethics committees and institutional funding, and aided by the latest medical equipment. Dedicated laboratories for pathology, molecular biology, genetics and radiology support such work. Moreover, AIIMS has collaborations with global institutes like the Harvard Medical School and the World Health Organization, enabling exchange programmes and joint research initiatives. The research results speak volumes. Last year, a team of PG researchers—Trapti Shrivastava, Harshal Chaudhari and Vrijendra Singh—developed a machine learning model for early autism detection. Recently, AIIMS, in collaboration with IIT Delhi, has established a stateoftheart Centre of Excellence for AI in healthcare, proving that it is constantly upgrading, innovating and spearheading excellence in health research. Career prospects after PG at AIIMS Delhi are exceptional. Graduates are sought after for senior residencies, teaching posts and fellowships abroad, and leadership roles in government and private healthcare. Being a PG student at AIIMS Delhi is more than pursuing a degree, it is a transformative experience that equips doctors with the skills and confidence to lead in healthcare. FACULTY COLUMN | The pinnacle is not enough By Dr M. Srinivas, Director, AIIMS Delhi The founding mission of AIIMS Delhi included achieving self-reliance in advanced medical education. Education and research are conducted across nearly 100 disciplines. In 2024 alone, the institute managed 906 extramural research projects funded by national and international organisations and supported 269 intramural research initiatives, with a cumulative grant value exceeding Rs 208 crore. AIIMS Delhi students receive exposure to a diverse array of clinical cases and cutting-edge diagnostic and therapeutic technologies. Responding to evolving healthcare needs, AIIMS has introduced new academic programmes—including a DM in Psychosomatic Medicine under the Department of Psychiatry. The institute places strong emphasis on student wellness. The Department of Psychiatry operates an on-campus wellness centre for students. Recently, an intramural research funding scheme specifically designed to empower postgraduate researchers, was launched. Key developments and initiatives at AIIMS Delhi include the K.L. Wig Centre for Medical Education, Technology & Innovation (CMETi) that hosted multiple capacity-building programmes for faculty and students, and Robotic Surgery Training Facility (MeHNAT), a high-tech training initiative leveraging Medtronic Hugo robotic systems to equip residents and faculty with advanced surgical skills via the SET (Skills, E-learning, Telemedicine) Facility. The SET Facility is the backbone of the National Medical College Network under the Union ministry of health. It supports e-Education and national telehealth efforts by linking medical colleges across India. A wide range of digital learning tools are accessible to students too. Finally, AIIMS Delhi is making notable strides in applying Artificial Intelligence to domains like oncology, medical imaging, ophthalmology and dermatology. It has been designated as a Centre of Excellence for AI/ ML by the Union ministries of health and education. CAMPUS NOTES | The art of medicine Dr Aradhana Sarma, Junior Resident, Dept of Biochemistry Stepping upon the lush expanse of AIIMS Delhi feels transformative, and I consider myself privileged to live and learn within India's most prestigious medical campus. During the week, I find myself immersed in the weekly Journal Club, guest lectures and interactive sessions where faculty and students engage freely in critical discussions. My academic duties include leading case-based discussions, problem-based learning sessions and practicals for MBBS students. These are designed to embed basic biochemical ideas in patient-centred settings, allowing future physicians to relate textbook learning with real-life clinical scenarios. Perhaps the most intriguing portion is thesis work. Our substantial MD projects are driven by complex approaches and continuous trial and error. AIIMS supports this deeply: labs and equipment are accessible 24×7, enabling flexible work schedules. AIIMS can be considered a microcosm of India. Residents bring with them vibrant languages, cuisines, traditions and perspectives. Festivals like Diwali, Onam, Bihu, Baisakhi, Ganesh Chaturthi and Lohri are celebrated together, and language disparities serve as natural bridges for friendships. Of course, life here is intense. AIIMS receives a massive intake of patients, offering unparalleled clinical exposure. Residents use a variety of stress-relieving practices. Some go to the gym or swimming pool, while many, myself included, take late-night walks. For me, a week at AIIMS is an amalgam of intense academics, research opportunities, teaching and moments of community. Here, ambition finds direction and medical education is elevated to an art.
Indian Express
2 days ago
- Indian Express
Soon, centralised kitchens for midday meal in Gujarat government schools to address malnutrition
Soon, over 16 lakh government school students enrolled across 66 talukas will get high-nutrition mid-day meals (MDMs) of a uniform quality. The Gujarat government is set to launch a 'centralised kitchen' scheme aimed at addressing the severe issue of malnutrition in the state. The project will be kicked off with an estimated capital expenditure of Rs 900 crore, and an additional annual operational expenditure of Rs 200 crore. 'The centralised kitchens have been planned keeping the taste and quality of food given in the MDMs in focus. This is aimed at addressing the nutrition as well as attendance of government school students. Also, with the recent introduction of breakfast in these schools, the combination of nutritious breakfast and lunch is expected to have a major impact on their health,' Principal Secretary, Education, Mukesh Kumar told The Indian Express. Sources said that according to the recent data from Gujarat's Department of Women and Child Development, the worst-affected districts with highest number of malnourished children in the state are Narmada, Panchmahal, Vadodara, Chhota Udepur, Surat, Mehsana, Dang, Tapi and Bharuch. Of these, Narmada has the highest number of such cases. For these centralised kitchens, cluster mapping has been carried out in a scientific manner with the aim that meals reach each school within 90 minutes of cooking. The cluster mapping of 66 talukas — 46 tribal and 20 non-tribal developing talukas — was done in such a manner that the centralised kitchen covers maximum number of schools in the radius, taking into account the students enrolled, geographical condition of the area, for instance forest, desert, coastal areas, and other factors. The state government has also given a nod to nearly 15 non-government agencies that had applied for the project through a tender process. 'These also include those from other states like Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, Jharkhand and Uttar Pradesh,' revealed a government official. Under the project, the centralised kitchens would be constructed by the state government on its own land and assets, which will be handed over to these agencies for management and operations. 'A monitoring authority will check the quality of food being served. Also, allotment to two or more agencies rather than a single in the same district will also help in creating a competition among themselves,' authorities stated. At present, only 10 such centralised kitchens are operating in the state, covering 3,003 government primary schools and over 6.81 lakh students. Akshaya Patra operates the highest number – seven – centralised kitchens to cover nearly 1,900 schools in certain pockets of municipal corporation areas of Ahmedabad, Vadodara, Surat, Bhavnagar, Jamnagar and Gandhinagar. Similarly, Stree Shakti is catering to 333 municipal schools in Ahmedabad east areas while Nayak foundation is looking after 670 schools in Navsari district. Paras Agro is active in 91 municipal schools in Rajkot city. One centralised kitchen is being run by each of these non-profit agencies. As per the data tabled in the Rajya Sabha on July 23 by the Ministry of Women and Child Development to a question asked by MP Saket Gokhale, percentage of stunted children is 32.72 per cent, according to the state-wise malnutrition indicators for children in the age group of 0-5 years from Poshan Tracker data for the month of June. Further, 7.28 per cent children are wasted and 18.41 per cent are underweight, the response stated. The June 2024 data, as per the Poshan Tracker, revealed 39.73 per cent stunted, 9.16 per cent wasted, and 21.39 per cent underweight children. Though these numbers have improved in the last few years, the number of children suffering from malnutrition is still high in Gujarat. While stunting, a form of malnutrition, is characterised by a child being too short for their age, indicating impaired growth and development, wasting indicates the child to be too thin for their height and is considered to be a dangerous form of malnutrition.
