THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Dr. Khadar Vali says that diseases cannot subjugate us if we make millets a daily food. Millets can be made available to the people at a lower cost than rice and wheat if government subsidies for growing rice and wheat are extended to millet production as well. Khadar Vali, known as the 'Millet Man of India', says that millets can ward off diseases ranging from diabetes to cancer. Dr. Khadar Vali, the Padma Shri winner, was inaugurating the millet workshop and exhibition 'Annamanu Aushadham' (food is medicine), which is being launched by Millet Mission Kerala.

Gandhi Memorial Nidhi Chairman Dr. N Radhakrishnan presided. Dr. Khader Valley Millet Promotion Network National Coordinator Prof. Gangi Reddy, Swadeshi GCRD Director Dr. Jacob Pulickan, Assistant Director G Placid, Planet Kerala Executive Director Anthony Kunnath, Millet Mission Chief Coordinator PK Lal, Mitraniketan Joint Director Dr. Raghu Ramdas, Bio-Agriculture Committee Leader VC Vijayan Master, Deepalayam Dhanapalan and A Manomohan presented various topics.

Dr. Khader Vali was felicitated by civic organizations in the public meeting. Dr. Khadar Vali presented the handbook 'Millet Mahatmyam' published by Shantigram with the help of NABARD to Transport Commissioner S Sreejith. NABARD Deputy General Manager James P. George was the chief guest. Millet Mission Kerala Chairperson S Sreelatha, Organic Farmers Association of India Chairman KP Ilyas, Moozhikkulam Sala Director T Premkumar, Shantigram Director L Pankajakshan, Frat Convener Punchakari G Ravindran Nair etc. spoke.