Around 100 students at a government school in Bihar’s Araria district have fallen sick after consuming a mid-day meal in which a dead snake was discovered. The incident took place at Amauna middle school, and the affected students were immediately rushed to Forbesganj sub-divisional hospital for treatment.
However, officials from the state Education Department have contradicted the number, stating that only 30 students fell ill and their conditions are now stable. According to the school administration, the food, specifically Khichari, was supplied by an outsourcing agency. The shocking discovery of a snake in the meal has prompted an inquiry by the authorities. Surendra Albela, the Sub-Divisional Officer (SDO) of Forbesganj, stated that appropriate action would be taken against the agency based on the findings of the investigation. In another alarming incident in Bihar, insects were found in the eggs served as part of the mid-day meals in Siwan district. The incident occurred at Chotka Tadila, causing outrage among parents who visited the school upon learning about the incident.
The students reported that the eggs appeared to be rotten, yet the school administration still cooked and served them. The discovery of insects in the eggs has raised serious concerns about the quality and safety of the meals provided to school children. Both incidents highlight significant lapses in the monitoring and quality control of the mid-day meal program in Bihar. Authorities must conduct a thorough investigation to identify the responsible parties and take immediate measures to prevent such incidents from recurring, ensuring the health and well-being of the students.