Coimbatore: While it is a widely accepted fact, that eggs and meat are a rich source of protein and help very much in the physical growth of young children, a city school, the Camford International School has sparked a row by banning non-vegetarian food in the lunch bags packed to the school by each and every day by the students.
Coimbatore: While it is a widely accepted fact, that eggs and meat are one of the rich sources of protein and help very much in the physical growth of young children, a city school, the Camford International School has sparked a row by banning non-vegetarian food in the lunch bags packed to the school by each and every day by the students.
It has to be noted that the Supreme court in its 2001 order has made the cooked food in government schools universalized, following which many of the states implemented the mid-day meal including eggs in the meal to increase the nutritional value, especially to address the problem of malnutrition among children.
However, the inclusion of eggs has become highly politicized in certain states including, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat and Rajasthan, with some protesting against the provision of including eggs on the grounds that it was not consumed by some children.
While there has been no objection so far from the parents of students, the school rules preventing the non-vegetarian food has gone viral in social media sparking a mixed response from netizens.
K Ramakrishnan, Thanthai Periyar Dravida Kazhagam, reacting to the "ban" said that the state government has included eggs in mid-day meals realizing that majority of the kids eat non-vegetarian food. They need rich food as the children are often malnourished"
“Eating food is a personal choice and school children come from a diverse background. Placing restrictions on food can only be seen as protecting the interest of few, which could be in line to the policies of BJP government” Ramakrishnan alleged.
“These restrictions cannot be allowed in school, where children from various sections of society are studying” he further noted.
Responding to the backlash, Poonam Seal, School principal, said that "Vegetarian food is eaten by one and all. School children are from varied backgrounds and it is common for children to share the food they bring."
"To avoid disturbance in anyone's beliefs or habits it is required to stick to the standards which are acceptable to all. So we have placed the restrictions on the children not to bring non-vegetarian food” the Principal added.