2. HOLDING SACRED THAT WHICH IS NOT SACRED

2. Holding Sacred that which is not Sacred ~ 82 ~ He explained that pulses constituted the most important protein source in a vegetarian diet, whereas animal products like milk had proteins of a better quality. Protein needs would have to be assessed both in terms of quantity and quality. Among the components of protein, about 80 amino acids were necessary for normal growth. He said that a deficiency of some of the acids like lycine and methionine were common in a vegetarian diet, while the excess of leucine in Jowar had been the cause of diseases in certain areas where this cereal was the staple food. Though a larger consumption of animal products was desirable, their production was costly since much energy was wasted in converting plant products into animal food.3S After the publication of this interview, the Indian Express brought out an editorial titled, ‘Protein Hunger,’ which said: ... when the union government decided to go in for a comprehensive policy of price support for foodgrains, it could hardly have been suspected that there could be ‘protein hunger’ in view of the plentiful supply of cereals.