Media Release

Mangaluru, Mar 19: The food we consume requires special focus in terms of nutrition value, the taste and also due to the high rise in diseases viz, cancer. The main aim of Sparsha: Campaign against cancer is to reduce the mortality rate due to cancer through an awareness programme, cancer screening camps, street plays, Ayushman drives, health-friendly food competition etc.

CODP® Mangaluru in collaboration with Sneha Okkoota Kinnigoli organized a health-friendly food competition as a part of a campaign against cancer and women’s day celebration on Friday, March 19.

Speaking about this event, Sandis Joseph, chief dietician of Father Mullers Hospital, Mangaluru said, “Following healthy food habits is the need of the hour. Especially women do not focus on having their breakfast, lunch or dinner on time which plays an adverse effect on our health. A good diet can help you build your immunity and prevent diseases.

Chief guest Sr Anna Maria, secretary of Jeevandara Social Service Trust said, “Women are on par with men and have reached success in almost all the fields. The inequality practised in India with regard to less nutritious food for women in the earlier years has resulted in stunted growth and less masculine power among women. When we look at women and men in western countries, they perform equally without any distinction with gender."

Fr FX Gomes, retired principal and cancer survivor spoke on the occasion and informed that 30 per cent of cancer cases are due to heredity and 70 per cent due to lifestyle issues. He stressed the improvement of lifestyle so that 70 per cent of cancer cases can be decreased.

Fr Oswald Monteiro, director of CODP quoting newspaper reports said 1 out of 9 persons below 74 years are diagnosed with cancer in India and we need to change our lifestyle in order to combat this deadly disease. He also said that self-help group members must be empowered, maintain good health and work together to promote community development activities.

Asha, a member of Jyothi Daya SHG shared her testimony about how she was inspired by CODP and took up social service. She has helped several cancer patients and provided Lakshmanphal saplings free of cost to community members.

In order to promote healthy food, competition was held. 12 teams from various self-help groups participated in the event.

Winner of the event

First Prize: Kusuma, Anitha Dsouza, Harinakshi from Samruddhi SHG, Balkunke

Second Prize: Molly Furtado, Treacy Mendonca, Teena Shetty from Jyothi Daya SHG, Chelairu

Third Prize: Reena Dsouza, Mareena D'Souza, Jacqueline D'Souza from Adarsha SHG, Balkunje

All the participants were given a token of appreciation for their active participation.

Shalet Castelino invoked God’s blessings through a prayer song.

Lenet Gonsalves, programme manager of CODP; Shilpa D'Souza, Sparsha coordinator, Pushpaveni, NRM animator were also present.

Rockey Saldanha welcomed the gathering, Anitha D'Souza delivered the vote of thanks and Pramila Furtado compered the program.