Leading film personalities extend support to poultry industry

Pune, Mar 25 (UNI) Leading Marathi and Hindi film personalities and a panel of prominent doctors have expressed their support and solidarity towards the poultry industry by refuting the existence of avian influenza.

Addressing a news conference organised by the National Egg Co-Ordination Committee (NECC) here last evening, Veteran actor Nilu Phule said that panic was created among the people which damaged the poultry industry.

Citing his own example, the actor said there was no harm in eating chicken. ''I eat chicken everyday and am not affected by any sort of flu,'' he said.

Asha Kale, a well-known Marathi actress of yesteryears, though a vegetarian, was moved by the image of poultry farmers destroying their birds because they could no longer afford to feed them.

She said around 30 lakh people, mostly from rural areas, were dependent on farming, as it is the only source of their livelihood.

''As a social responsibility, I have decided to do something for poultry farmers,'' she said.

Renowned cancer specialist Dr K Kupekar said chicken is a healthy protein diet and is necessary for both growing children and adults in their day-to-day life.

There was no cause for panic and people should not be scared of eating chicken and eggs which, he claimed, were safe and healthy to eat.

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