Nirmala Gandhi -- wife of the Mahatma's third son Ramdas --- was speaking after being felicitated by State Temperance Board Chairman R Dayananda Rao. She pointed out that `swadeshi' would keep foreign companies away and generate much-needed employment for the country's growing population.

Making veiled references to the existing `seed' and `cola' wars, she said, ``Foreign companies have now launched an akraman

(attack) on our fields with seeds and pesticides that will destroy all organisms. The poor must be made aware of the inherent dangers of using such seeds and chemicals and be asked to continue with the old ways of cultivation,'' she said.

Pointing out that such foreign seeds were being used in some fields in the State, she said farmers must be cautioned about the inherent dangers in doing so. She also spoke of the dangers alcoholposed to families and the country's economy.

Her daughter and former Indian delegate to the United Nations Sumitratai Kulkarni believed that women had to come together and launch a mini-non-cooperation movement to prevent men from taking to alcohol. ``If there is no food in the house, a man will naturally be affected,'' she said. ``Does the Temperance Board know that every fourth shop in the city is a bar. When this is the case, how can we stop our young ones from becoming alcoholics,'' she asked.

Referring to the current political situation, she said people were responsible for the manner in which they were ruled. ``I am not against any political party because ultimately they are all our representatives. If we want change, we have to be proper citizens -- care for others' interests, not just our own -- and not merely exercise our right to vote,'' she said.