Today is the 101st birthday of the late Dr M G Ramachandran, former Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu. Dr MGR was not only a great institution builder but also a humanist. He has left his footprint in the sands of time in many areas.

I wish you a very happy get-together with your family and friends on this auspicious day. Pongal festival reminds us that we are indebted to sun, green plants and farm families for our life on earth.

Today is National Youth Day coinciding with Swami Vivekananda’s birthday.

In a recent meeting with the Prime Minister, leading Economists emphasised the need for adopting development models that will boost farmers’ income.

There is a need to implement nutrition initiatives in a ‘Mission Mode’, moving to a ‘Nutrition Revolution’ said Prof M S Swaminathan, Founder MSSRF. Speaking at the Tamil Nadu Nutrition alliance meeting organized by MSSRF, in partnership with UNICEF, Prof Swaminathan pointed out that there was adequate food but malnutrition persisted due to other issues.

There are reports about farm distress in Paschim Bangal caused by the collapse in the price of potato.

MSSRF's IEC programme, in association with Apollo Hospital organises fortnightly Tele-Health programme on different topics handled by highly professional Apollo doctors and Nurses.

The National Basava Krishi Award 2017 is to be awarded to Prof M S Swaminathan, Founder MSSRF by the Lingayat Panchamasali Mahapeetha of Karnataka.

Recent International Negotiations which have a bearing on the farm sector have not gone well. The World Trade Organisation is yet to develop an agreed method of incorporating food security reserves in the international trading system.

Our Parliament was designed to promote discussion and decision on areas of national importance.

It may take six years to actually see a tiger, or you may see six tigers in one visit – that is the unpredictability of trying to photograph the elusive national animal.