70 Students Fall Ill After Consuming School Lunch in Delhi Government School”
In a distressing incident that unfolded recently, approximately 70 students from a government school in the Dabri area of southwest Delhi were hospitalized after reportedly consuming a mid-day meal. The incident has prompted swift action from the Delhi government, which has issued a show-cause notice to the mid-day meal provider in question.
According to officials, the unfortunate episode transpired at Sarvodaya Bal Vidyalaya School, Durgapark in Sagarpur. Around 6 pm, a distress call was received at the Sagarpur police station, reporting that a considerable number of boys from Class VI to VIII had fallen ill after partaking in the mid-day meal provided by the school. The students exhibited symptoms of vomiting and stomach discomfort, which prompted their immediate transfer to medical facilities.
Officials from the Delhi government have assured that all affected children are currently in stable condition. Nevertheless, this incident has underscored the critical importance of ensuring the safety and quality of meals provided to schoolchildren as part of the mid-day meal program. As a result, the mid-day meal provider has been served a show cause notice, reminding them of their responsibility to furnish safe and nutritious food to the students.
A Delhi government official stressed that stringent measures will be taken to hold accountable those responsible for this alarming situation. The well-being of the students remains paramount, and there will be no compromise in ensuring their safety. An investigation is underway to determine the exact cause of the students’ adverse reactions.
It has been revealed that the mid-day meal consisted of “puri sabji,” a traditional Indian dish of deep-fried bread and vegetables, followed by soya juice. The aftermath of the meal saw students complaining of stomach pain and subsequently vomiting. The school authorities acted promptly by discontinuing the distribution of the food and juice as soon as the complaints arose.
In response to the incident, the Delhi Police’s crime team was dispatched to the school premises. They collected samples of the food and juice that were consumed, which will likely play a crucial role in the ongoing investigation.
This alarming occurrence has shed light on the need for rigorous oversight and quality control in the preparation and distribution of mid-day meals in schools. These meals serve as a vital source of nutrition for many students, particularly those from economically disadvantaged backgrounds. The incident serves as a stark reminder that any compromise in food safety and hygiene can have dire consequences for the health and well-being of these young individuals.
As the investigation progresses, it is expected that a thorough examination of the mid-day meal provider’s practices will take place. The outcomes of this investigation will likely influence the future of the mid-day meal program, emphasizing the urgency of establishing fail-safe mechanisms to prevent such incidents from occurring again.