Bengaluru: Actvists want onion, garlic in midday meals

BENGALURU: The controversy over onion and garlic missing from the midday meals supplied by Akshaya Patra Foundation to schoolchildren has escalated, with a team of NGOs, activists, doctors and researchers alleging that denial of the ingredients is tantamount to imposing religious beliefs on children studying in publicly funded schools. This is prohibited by guidelines issued by the Union ministry of human and resource development (MHRD), theysaid.
In a letter to the chief secretary, they urged the state government to either seek a firm commitment from the foundation that the prescribed menu, including onion and garlic, will be followed by the next school year or alternative arrangements are made in schools catered to by the foundation.
Siddharth Joshi, an independent researcher and one of the signatories, told TOI that most of the children consuming midday meals are SC/STs and their staple diet largely includes onion and garlic.
The letter pointed out that during inspections, it was noted that the food served was bland and monotonous and thats led to low consumption, completely defeating the very purpose of midday meals. Bengaluru, Dharwad and Ballari are among the five worst- performing districts in terms of coverage of the scheme, the letter added.
Our meals comply with govt norms: Akshaya Patra
Speaking to TOI, Naveena Neerada Dasa, head, strategic communications and projects, The Akshaya Patra Foundation, said, “We would like to clarify that our freshly cooked meals are in compliance with the nutritional norms prescribed by the MHRD. It is our constant endeavour to contribute to the government’s efforts in promoting good health and nutrition amongst children, which is essential for their holistic growth and development.”
“Akshaya Patra is committed to serve quality, hygienic and nutritious food to schoolchildren every day and implement Akshara Dasoha, the flagship midday meal programme of the Karnataka government,” added Dasa.