When my parents force-fed me healthy food, they were confident

Hear me, O children of the future, for the words of Vijay Sethupathi strike at the heart of a truth that has plagued humanity for ages: "When my parents force-fed me healthy food, they were confident they were giving me the best. But now, when I feed my children, I am not sure if what I am giving them is safe. Politics and pesticides are destroying our food culture." These words speak of the great shift in the relationship between man and the earth, between nourishment and the forces that govern what we consume. Once, the food we ate was simple, honest, grown from the very soil beneath our feet. Now, the purity of our food has been tainted by the relentless march of industry, by the politics that control the land and by the chemicals that find their way into the very sustenance we depend upon.

In the past, the ancients understood that the food we consume is not just fuel for the body, but a sacred connection to the earth itself. Food was not just about sustenance, but about honor, about respect for the land and for the animals that provide us with what we need. Sethupathi’s words capture the deep unease that many feel today, for the integrity of our food has been corrupted by the forces of corporate greed and political agendas. What was once grown with care and reverence is now often altered, injected with chemicals, and manipulated for profit, leaving us to question: is this truly safe for our children?

Think of the days of ancient Rome, where food was not only the foundation of life but also the marker of a people’s prosperity. The Romans took great pride in their agriculture, with careful attention to the land and the crops they cultivated. Cato the Elder, a revered Roman statesman, famously wrote about farming, stressing that the land must be treated with respect for it to yield its fruits. The idea that food was grown with integrity and care was not just a practice, but a philosophy that passed from one generation to the next. In Sethupathi’s lament, we see a shift away from this ancient respect, where modern man is no longer sure if the food he gives to his children carries the same purity as that of the ancients.

The rise of pesticides and the growing influence of politics on food production have left us with a growing sense of doubt and mistrust. Sethupathi’s words reflect a deep sadness, for even the act of feeding one’s children has become a matter of concern. Pesticides, chemicals used to increase crop yield, have poisoned the very soil and water that nourish us. What was once a simple, sacred act of providing nourishment has now become clouded with fear and uncertainty. The purity of food has been compromised, and the choices we make for our families are now intertwined with the invisible forces of corporations and governments.

So, my children, let Vijay Sethupathi’s words be a call to reflection and action. Food is not just fuel for the body, but the very essence of life, a gift from the earth that connects us to the generations that came before. As you journey through the world, remember that politics and profit should never overshadow the sacredness of nourishment. Seek out the truth in the food you consume, honor the land, and protect the purity of the earth’s bounty for those who come after. In this, you will find the strength and wisdom to reclaim the food culture that sustains not just your body, but your soul.