Bahujan Samaj Party state chief Bhim Rajbhar has claimed that toddy is the best antidote to COVID-19 as it “boosts immunity”.
Speaking at a public meeting at Rasra town in Balllia on Monday evening, the BSP leader said that the Rajbhar community owed its ability to survive in adverse situations to the powers it gained through drinking of toddy.
The magical powers of toddy, Rajbhar said, had been discovered by their ancestors. “During summers our ancestors would sleep outside, sometimes under palm trees. When the wind would blow and even a drop of toddy would fall into their open mouths (while sleeping), they understood that toddy had more life-giving properties than even water from a river,” he said.
“Thus, they played with their lives and scaled toddy trees between earth and heaven to get it for themselves and their children,” he said.
On COVID-19, he said that while everyone was wondering how to keep safe from the virus, the only recourse was to get a drink from “the most ancient tree species in the world”.
Toddy contains Vitamins C and B1 and in its non-fermented form it is believed to be beneficial for eyesight. It also contains potassium which is beneficial for cardiovascular health. The alcoholic content of fermented toddy can however damage the liver, lead to blood clotting and the weakening of heart muscles. There is no evidence of its virus fighting properties.
However, Rajbhar said, “It enhances immunity power. It is what keeps our community going”.
He did not specify whether he was talking of its fermented or unfermented version.
