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School Food Poisoning : Govt’s ‘Chalta hai' (laidback) attitude hits Mid Day Meals
Satyajit Sengupta
School Food Poisoning : Govt’s ‘Chalta hai' (laidback) attitude hits Mid Day Meals
PHOTO : Health Minister Badal Chaudhury with food poisoned students at Bisalgarh. TIWN File Photo

Chalta hai' (laidback) attitude of School Authority has again become visibly prominent in School Education Department. The government's initiatives are not being properly implemented at the ground level because of lack of proper monitoring by DEO and Education officials.

Now-a-days, Lack of hygienic conditions for storage and preparation of food –food cooked on unhygienic way were also seen in many schools in Rural Tripura.

As per reports gathered from different sources it is found that there was an incident of adverse effect after taking Mid Day Meal (Rice & Egg Curry) at South Mirzapur High School,Belonia. Incidentally it is situated in the ground floor beneath the office of DEO (District Education Officer).

Students suddenly experienced abdomenpain and one  student vomited 30 min after taking food. All 22 effected students were brought to Belonia Hospital and 15 were admitted and 5 students were discharged after preliminary treatment. Though 15 students were not too serious they were kept for observation in the hospital.

All the 15 students have been discharged on Friday, 10th April at 9am giving free of cost treatment & they are out of danger now.

Belonia School Students admitted into Hospital. TIWN Pic April 9, 2015

According to Head Master of South MIrxzapur High School some of the students have taken Hocodoly( a kind of sour berry), green Mangoes with salt mixed red chilies powder and drunk water before taking Mid- Day-Meal. While interacting with the affected students of yesterday viz, namely Joy Debnath, Joy Saha also admitted the fact. Food supplier Sunil Bhowmik was also questioned while enquiry over the matter.During field visit ,it was found that the water for drinking & cooking purpose was from a tube well. As there was no dining hall , student use to take food sitting on the floor. Sample of rice used on 9th April is collected and District Health Officer is taking action for analysis.

On Friday, U.K Chakma Additional Secretary & State Project Director, Kali Mohan Jamatia ,District Project Coordinator , South Tripura, Inspector of School , Belonia, Deputy Inspector School also visited the school  and met the students. “The department will look into the matter with great concern,” said U K Chakma.

After 32 hours of this mishap , what pricks our conscience is the mismanagement and carelessness.

On paper, Govt prorammes like Mid-Day meals are every time more then satisfactory while reality is ironically opposite.

To fool public and media, A few day’s extra care follows after every such accident . Then surges back again that sloppy , negligence that can be fatal at times.

Pathetic scene at Bhanukar Bari SB school under Korbook Sub Division students having midday meal in front of dogs shortage of Room. TIWN Pic

CPIM party supported groups engaged in preparation and disbursement of mid day meals are  well aware of the fact that whatever happens will be managed by backdoor manipulations.

As an educator, the misery of seeing, the one and only thing that can change its  future..an educated future generation, suffocate and perish due to the government’s Chalta hai attitude and the common man’s I am too busy to care!

We just have to careful ..an awful a lot for our children's health, then there will be change hopefully in future !!!....till then rejoice "Golden" Rule of Chief Minister Manik Sarkar in Tripura.

 

Satyajit Sengupta is a Columnist based in Tripura. Views expressed are personal.

To send your appreciation and comments pl. send email to editor@tripurainfoway.com or tripurainfoway@gmail.com  or post online below.

 

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