T he celebration of DHAN Foundation’s 25 year Silver Jubillee set the stage for an interactive dialogue on development and social good. Gracing the occasion at this solemn moment was no other than the renowned Scholar Vandana Shiva.

Vandana Shiva (born 5 November 1952) is an Indian scholar, environmental activist, food sovereignty advocate, ecofeminist, and anti-globalization author. She has written more than 20 books and is a crusader of correct food practices.

On the occasion of the DHAN development dialogue, she joined us to give an enlightening session on the local food systems and the ways we can upgrade our dietary culture.

Vandana Shiva emphasized how we all have to adopt Gandhiji’s swaraj and swadeshi to bring back these forgotten local food system practices and march towards Anna Swaraj, Seed Swaraj, Jal Swaraj, and Gyan Swaraj. She also stressed how we should be free from water-intensive, chemical fertilizer intensive agriculture and focus more on the local tradition and culture which is the local food system.

She also shared her experience of bringing salinity-resistant seeds to Tamil Nadu farmers at the time of the Tsunami. She also appreciated the ancient Tamil ecosystem and its local food system practiced.