Mangaluru: The Department of Postgraduate Studies and Research in Food Science, St. Aloysius College (Autonomous) had organized a one-day national seminar on “Recent advances linking future prospects in nutrition”, sponsored by DBT Government of India, under Star College Scheme, here on Thursday, March 14.
Students of food science rendered prayer and performed a welcome dance.
Dignitaries lit the lamp and inaugurated the programme.
The chief guest of the programme Dr. R Ananthan, Scientist D, ICMR – National Institute of Nutrition, Hyderabad said, “Nutrition, food and agriculture are inter-related subjects, which are important in its own way. The availability of food from the time of independence till now has seen a drastic rise, as the food is in abundance at current times”.
“On one hand the country is observing a sustainable position when it comes to the production of food substances, and on the other hand, our country is also leading in chronic non communicable diseases. This is due to the food habits in which we consume refined food”, he added.
President of the programme, Rev Dr. Praveen Martis S J, Principal, St. Aloysius College (Autonomous) said, “Our country was in a bad situation, as it was facing famine and now the times have changed where we have food in abundance”.
“There are people who have gone without food for a day and on the other hand there is the elite class which is facing obesity issues due to excess food”, he added.
Dr. Ronald Nazareth, Coordinator, Star College Scheme, Dr. S N Raghavendra, HoD, Department of Postgraduate Studies and Research in Food Science, Convenor of the programme, Daniela, Dr. Richard Gonzalves, Director, LCRI Block and faculty members along with students from within and different colleges were present.
Student Aparna Jose compered the programme.
Star Student Award
Five postgraduate students each of first year and second year from the departments namely MSc Physics, MSc Mathematics, MSc Biotechnology, MSc Biochemistry, MSc Food Science and Technology, and MSc Food Science Nutrition and Dietetics, were awarded the Star Students Award recognized by Government of India, for excelling in academics.
Sessions
Dr. R Ananthan gave a talk on “Role of the biodiversity in food as a recent approach to nutrition and food security”.
Dr. S M Jeyakumar, Deputy Director (Scientist E), ICMR – National Institute of Nutrition, Hyderabad, gave a talk on “Role of vitamin A in obesity and its associated complications: A better perspective through technological advancement”.
D M Dinesh Yadav, Research Scientist, Multi-Disciplinary Research Unit, Gandhi Medical College, Hyderabad, gave a talk on “Nutrigenomics and future prospects”.
An oral presentation of selected abstracts was held in Fr. Robert Sequeira Hall, LCRI Block.
The programme concluded at around 5 in the evening.
