Evening star., 1959-12-11


Prasad at the opening of the
World Agriculture Fair - the
first such fair ever held. And
it is entirely right that it is
held here in India. For this ma
ton recognizes in agriculture
the fundamental occupation of
man and the chief assurance
of better living for its citizens.
My country was quick to ac-
.cept when invited to participate
in this unique and historic
event. And today I am particu-
larly honored that India's chief
of state will be with me when.
in a few minutes. I ofhcially
open the United States exhibit
at the fair.
At it, all visitors can see how
we Americans have managed
the soil of our land so that
our people might live well for
themselves, and have enough
food left over to help others.
We have a natural pride in
what we have accomplished by
a creative union Of human
spirit, fertile earth and inven--
tive science. But, beyond that.
we see in modern agriculture a
most effective instrument for
better life among all men.
Personal Interest Noted
On the personal side. I visit
this fair with keen interest. AS
a long-held ambition during
my professional years-not al
ways too well concealed-has
been to return to the farm.
And I plan to be a farmer
when my present form of oc-
cupation comes to a close. So !
have a very deep and keen in
terest in spending some time
at this fair where so many ma
tions present their achieve
ments in methods and tech
niques and ways Of agricul-
ture. I shall see here much
that is new to me.
At this moment, / hope you
will indulge me as I suggest
some thoughts of how food
can help all of us achieve bet
ter lives in a world Of justice
and peace.
Today, we have the scientific
capacity to abolish from the
world scene at least one evil,
both tragic and inhuman-
hunger that emaciates the
bodies Of children; that scars
the souls of their parents; that
stirs the passions Of those who
toll endlessly and earn only
scraps.
Exhibit Has 4-WOrd Theme
Men, right now, possess the
knowledge and the resources
for a successful worldwide war
against hunger-the sort Of
war that dignifles and exalts
human beings. The exhibits
here prove that.
The call to that genuinely
noble war is enunciated in the
theme of the American exhibit:
Food - Family - Friendship
Freedom"
Into these four words are
compressed the daily needs, the
high purposes, the feelings, the
ageless aspirations that unite
Indians and Americans under
one banner-the banner of hui
man dignity.
Here are four words that
are mightier than arms and
bombs; mightier than machines
and money; mightier than any
empire that ruled the past or
threatens the future.
Here are four words that can
lift the souls Of men to a
high plane of mutual effort,
sustained effort, the most re-
warding effort that can be pro-
posed to mankind.
ElabOrates on Theme
! Food-That our bodies may
be fit for every task and duty
and service; our minds free
from the fear Of hunger: our
eyes, undimmed by the TRACE
dies of famine, searching out
new horizons; our aspirations
and our plans for their achieve
ment not frustrated by failure
OF crop or catastrophe of
weather.
Family-that in our homes
there may be decent living and
bright hope; children, no longer
doomed to misery in peace and
sudden death in war; their
elders, no longer broken by
want and sorrow beyond their
control to mend or cure.
Friendship-That among all
the peoples of earth the dark
ness of ignorance and fear and
distrust will dissolve in the