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of the Philippines Meals for Millions Affiliate and the
scientific collaboration of Universities, Research
Foundations and their leaders.
“After this introductory address, the colour film ‘People
to People’ was screened which showed examples of the
work of the Meals for Millions programme in various
countries, with special emphasis on the Indian programme
and the great interest displayed in this connection by the late
Mr. Nehru, former Prime Minister of India who states in this
film: ‘This India needs, this is what India wants; but we
must do it in our own way.’”
“The name of Prof. C.C. de Silva was unanimously
adopted as the Chairman of the Ceylon Meals for Millions
Council. This was proposed by Mr. Upatissa Hulugalla and
seconded by Mr. H. Jayasena.
“Mr. Upatissa Hulugalla proposed that Mr. H. Jayasena
be elected the Convenor and Secretary of the Ceylon Meals
for Millions Council. The notion was seconded by Mr. N.D.
Wijayanayaka and was unanimously adopted by the House.”
A list of the 14 people present at the inaugural meeting
includes Mr. H. Stanley Fernando (Chamber of Commerce),
Dr. (Mrs.) B.V. De Mel, Mr. I. Paiva, Dr. M.J. Carrol,
Director U.S. Information Services and Mr. H. Jayasena.
Miss Florence Rose expressed her appreciation to
various people including to “Mr. H. Jayasena, whose
personal interest and educational efforts on behalf of the
programme began five years ago when as Secretary of the
National Development Inquiry of the All Ceylon Buddhist
Congress he first wrote to her Headquarters for information
regarding the programme.” Address: Ceylon Meals for
Millions Council.
187. Rose, Florence. 1964. Re: Ten pound package lost in
mail. Letter to The Post Office, Colombo, Ceylon, Oct. 2. 1
p. Typed, without signature on letterhead.
• Summary: This letter is interesting mainly because of the
attractive letterhead on which it is written: “Meals for
Millions Association of India: A non-profit organisation
dedicated to the relief and prevention of malnutrition.” Near
the top right: “Phone: 43698. Please address
communications to: Dr. (Miss) Radha Karnad, 16, Talkatora
Road, New Delhi 1.
Down the left side are the names of 15 officers, the
positions they occupy, and the city where each lives:
President. Regional Vice-Presidents (2), Secretary-
Treasurer. Associate Secretary. Publicity. Research
Committee (5).
The letter also shows that Florence Rose was in
Colombo from Sept. 19 to Sept. 24; she stayed at the Gallo
Face Hotel. A 10-pound package she sent to Mr. H.
Jayasena at 185 Baseline Rd., Borella, Colombo 9, Ceylon,
had not arrived by the time she left.
MEALS FOR MILLIONS, SOY, AND FREEDOM FROM HUNGER 76
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188. Rose, Florence. 1964. Re: Big problems at Meals for
Millions in California. Requests. Letter to Mr. H. Jayasena,
185 Baseline Rd., Borella, Colombo 9, Ceylon, Oct. 2. 2 p.
Typed, with signature on letterhead. 34 cm.
• Summary: “My dear friend Jay,
“Last night I began to read the mail that had
accumulated for me in New Delhi during the past week or
ten days. You know that the contents were not such as to
make me happy–but quite the contrary. My worst fears were
confirmed that hasty and unnecessary violence had been
done to our carefully built program of the past eighteen
years–and that while I also believe that the program has not
received a death blow, I also believe that irreparable damage
has been done by members of our Executive Committee
who had no personal familiarity with the problem involved–
problems that did not differ from situations that had
confronted us in the past and which were successfully
surmounted by Ernest and myself and others, who had a
deep and abiding faith in our program.
“There were a few bright lights shining in the darkness
that enveloped me as I read the letters from Los Angeles.
First of course there is always that special quality that
makes Ernest the rare human being that he is–the quality
reflected in the Meals for Millions program throughout the
world. As long as Ernest is functioning and his fine mind as
well as his spirit is able to work constructively with me, I
can face the future with confidence–and try to repair the
harm that has already been done.
“The second bright light was your dear letter of
September 25th with its post script of September 29th. I
have already written to Ernest that the only comfort that I
had in Ceylon was the wonderful spirit that you and my
good friends the De Silvas maintained throughout my stay.
Even though I gave you only a fragmentary idea of the
problem, your reactions reaffirmed by own convictions that
nothing must be permitted to stop our forward march–’if
humanly possible.’”
“Oxfam pamphlet: A thousand thanks for making an
effort to find another copy... The chapter entitled ‘Shall we
close down’ has a special significance for us.”
“Daily Mirror–Issue of September 23rd [1964]. When
you get a chance, please mail me as many extra copies of
this issue as our friends there could obtain for us.” At the
end is a handwritten note by Florence.
This letter is written on the letterhead of: “Meals for
Millions Association of India: A non-profit organisation
dedicated to the relief and prevention of malnutrition.” Near
the top right: “Phone: 43698. Please address
communications to: Dr. (Miss) Radha Karnad, 16, Talkatora
Road, New Delhi 1.” Down the left side are the names of 15
officers, the positions they occupy, and the city where each
lives. Address: New Delhi, India.