FOOD: LIFE or FOOD: DEATH ??

NEWS:

The death toll in yesterday’s Mid-Day Meal (MDM)) food poisoning, has reached 22 with the death of 10 more kids in the night. At least 25 kids are still be treated, while 10 of them are said to be critical. The serious schoolchildren have been shifted to Patna. The woman, who prepared the food and her two children too died. Bihar CM Nitish Kumar has announced a compensation of Rs 2 lakh each to the families of the dead children.

MY OPINION:

India has witnessed so many deaths due to malnutrition but here is something even more alarming: children dying after eating food in school. The flagship programme "Midday meal scheme", which was started to improve literacy levels amongst the destitute , has turned a horror for so many families who thought they were guaranteeing a bright tomorrow for their kids by sending them to school! This has terrified parents and most of them are not prepared to send their children to school again.  Not only parents, I think this incident would be dreadful for those innocent kids who go to school everyday to get enlightened by the power of the alphabet. Now it seems, most of them would prefer working under scorching sun instead of going into the mouth of death. Others who would still want to pursue their schooling would stay empty stomach.

Is that how we visualized schooling in India? Is that what Sarva Shiksha Abhiyaan stood for? I m shocked at the utter carelessness of the authorities. We seem to conveniently ignore the loopholes in our working. Recently, ASER(Annual Survey Education Report) had hailed the performance of Bihar for having widened the coverage of the Midday meal Scheme from 57.2% to 75%. They also found out that many schools had improved conditions pertaining to toiletries, availability of drinking water and other facilities. I m sure they are proud of Bihar's performance after this deathly meal!

The last meal. So sad!

But alas, statistics has been deceiving us and so has it happened this time as well. The forensic report has also confirmed that Monocrotophos (organic phosphorous) was present in the food which is used in the manufacture of insecticide. The principal has been accused of criminal negligence and is absconding for now. It has been reported that the oil used to make the meal was purchased from the principal's husband's shop.  What has happened to our system's morals and values? We seem to have lost all humanitarian values. It is a shame that we are unaware of our responsibilities and are unable to admit to our faults. The children, who have been told that education is the only way to brighten up their "bleak future", would have no choice now.

Time has come that we change now and for the better. I m sure that this scheme would be barred as another UPA fiasco and the incident would be used as a political gimmick by the opposition. But our plan should be restore the faith of the families who have been demotivated by the terrifying mishap. The government must, firstly, punish those whose lackadaisical attitude has taken the lives of many. Secondly, the food ingredients must be taken from certifies shops and the quality of food must be checked on a periodic basis. A newspaper also mentioned that these cases of food poisoning were not uncommon but these heinous cases were never registered. Therefore the need of the hour is to deploy strict and disciplined inspectors.

I extend my condolences to the families of the deceased for the loss is irretrievable! I pray to God to give them the strength to bear with this unbearable sorrow !