There are so many taboos, so much ignorance about food. Villagers sell eggs (for about 20 paise a dozen) and never give their children one. But with that money they'll buy their children a couple of biscuits because that's a status symbol. Pawpaws are bursting with vitamins, but no woman will eat one because they're considered "abortive". In fact, eating green pawpaw can cause an abortion. a bad one that ulcerates the womb. But not ripe pawpaws. When people have colds they don't drink anything cold and avoid lime-juice (a cheap fruit here); i.e. they avoid a cheap source of vitamin C. A very common vegetable called a "drumstick" is high in calcium content and its leaves full of vitamins, but its taboo for pregnant women and children. Eggs, meat and fish are supposed to increase bleeding -- so mothers who have just given birth are forbidden them; no protein, again when they need it most. Even in good years, infants are badly nourished. As soon as the ...
Left wing commentary from the heart and the head