Forty Years Ago, September 3, 1980: Peace Strategy

The Madhya Pradesh government has banned the sale of mustard oil in Hoshangabad district following the outbreak of dropsy, a fatal disease caused by adulterated mustard oil. Although only three deaths have been reported, doctors fear the toll to be much higher because diagnosing the disease is difficult. There is no treatment for the disease so far. However, some patients have shown dramatic recovery when treated with heart disease medicine.

UN On Trade

A UN document has cautioned against the rise wave of protectionism in developing countries. The document is of particular significance to India which is trying to take advantage of technological skills and manpower resources to go in for exportable goods that can be produced at a low price. The UN paper notes that these protectionist measures could be directed against these items also.