In Indian classical music, jugalbandi means “entwined twins.”
It is a duet where two singers or musicians perform together, mixing their talents in a fun and friendly way. They don’t try to win against each other — instead, they create beautiful music by working in harmony.
But jugalbandi is not just about music. It can also refer to teamwork between two people who respect each other and work towards a common goal.
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A joint effort by two women from Varanasi — Annapurna Shukla and Savitri Devi Dalmia(Sabo) — saved the lives of millions of infants.
These two remarkable women showed a real-life jugalbandi — a beautiful teamwork filled with care, wisdom, and kindness. Their friendship and shared dream brought about a great change in the world.
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A young doctor named Annapurna Shukla returned to her hometown of Varanasi after completing her medical studies.
Although she was a doctor, her true interest was not in treating patients but in understanding the nutrition and care of newborn babies. Because of this passion, she joined the Home Science Department at Banaras Hindu University (BHU) as a lecturer.
A childhood photograph of Dr. Annapurna Shukla, seated on the ground beside Pandit Madan Mohan Malviya.
Over time, through her dedication and hard work, she became the Head of the Department.
However, in those early days, things were not easy. The Science Department did not even have a proper building of its own, and Home Science was still part of the Arts stream.
This meant that there were very few research facilities, and conducting scientific experiments was quite difficult.
But Dr. Annapurna Shukla was not someone who gave up easily. She continued her work with great patience and determination, even with such limited resources.
Savitri Devi Dalmia(Sabo)
When Savitri Devi Dalmia learned of Annapurna Shukla’s dedication and the problems the department faced, she decided to help.
Mrs. Dalmia belonged to the well-known Dalmia family, which had always supported national causes. In fact, the Dalmia family had also given strong financial support to Mahatma Gandhi’s Salt March, one of the most important movements in India’s freedom struggle.
Continuing her family’s tradition of service and generosity, Savitri Devi Dalmia donated to construct a beautiful building for the Science Department at the Women’s College of BHU.
Because of her contribution, Home Science became part of the Faculty of Science, gaining the recognition and respect it deserved.
This new beginning attracted scholars and teachers from all over India. With improved research facilities and passionate researchers, the Home Science Department at BHU soon became one of the best in the country.
While working there, Dr. Annapurna Shukla published many important research papers. She even traveled to England to conduct advanced research on newborn nutrition, gaining new knowledge and techniques.
After returning to India, she continued her work with renewed energy, focusing on how better nutrition could save the lives of infants.
Soon, Dr. Annapurna Shukla realized a shocking truth: multinational companies were spreading lies around the world.
They claimed that mother’s milk was not enough for newborns and that it lacked important nutrients.
Using this false idea, they promoted their baby milk powders and formulas as the “best” food for infants. To increase sales, these companies used clever advertisements and marketing tricks to convince mothers to stop breastfeeding.
The Home Science Department of Banaras Hindu University, under Dr. Shukla’s guidance, decided to stand against this injustice. Her team conducted strong scientific research that proved one simple but powerful truth — mother’s milk is the most complete and natural food for a newborn baby.
The research from BHU gained attention not just in India but across the world. Scientists everywhere began to accept this truth.
Finally, in May 1981, the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF adopted the International Code for Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes, which declared that mother’s milk is the best source of nutrition for infants and that all companies must promote breastfeeding instead of discouraging it.
Following this, it became mandatory worldwide for every baby product to carry the message:
“Mother’s milk is the best food for your baby.”
These were proud moments for the entire nation — and especially for the Home Science Department of Banaras Hindu University.
It was a moment when the research and dedication of two women from Varanasi changed the course of global health and saved the lives of millions of newborns.
Before this global change, multinational companies heavily promoted their packaged baby foods. Their advertisements were so aggressive and convincing that many mothers—especially in developing countries—began to believe that formula milk was better than breastfeeding.
Influenced by these claims, countless mothers stopped giving their babies their own milk.
But there was a dangerous catch.
These baby powders had to be mixed with perfectly clean, boiled water. In large parts of South Asia—India, Pakistan, Nepal, Sri Lanka—and in nearly fifty countries across Africa, clean drinking water was a daily struggle.
Families often had no access to safe water, and mothers mixed formula with what they had.
This turned love into tragedy.
Contaminated water carried deadly germs. Babies, whose tiny bodies were not strong enough to fight such infections, began to fall sick. Thousands of infants suffered from diarrhea, dehydration, and life-threatening diseases. Many did not survive.
The global recognition of mother’s milk as the safest, purest, and most complete food for newborns finally stopped this disaster. It reminded the world of a simple truth: nature’s nourishment is always the best. Mother’s milk required no boiling, no mixing, no clean water—only a mother’s love.
This shift saved millions of newborn lives across the world.
So today, whenever you see the words “Mother’s milk is the best food for babies” printed on any baby food product, remember the story behind them.
Remember the real-life jugalbandi of Dr. Annapurna Shukla and Savitri Devi Dalmia — two women from Varanasi whose teamwork, compassion, and courage made the world a safer place for millions of newborns.
Their collaboration proved that when knowledge and kindness come together in harmony, even the smallest of efforts can create a melody that saves lives.
