“Karnataka government has done right thing by adding eggs to mid day meals”

News– Karnataka is the last southern state to introduce eggs in its mid day meal program.  

It has recently introduced eggs to its mid-day meal scheme in some of its districts to solve the acute malnutrition problem there. Unfortunately, this policy is facing backlash by some religious groups. 

Why adding eggs to mid-day meal menu is a good step? 

Eggs (or milk or bananas) are a wholesome food and provide protein, calcium, and vitamins at one go.  

According to the National Family Health Survey-5, Karnataka has 35 per cent of children under the age of five and 20 per cent stunted and wasted respectively. Some of its Northern districts even have stunting figures as high as 57 percent. 

Large majority of its people have no cultural aversion to eating non-vegetarian food. 

Eggs are already served to pregnant and lactating women, and severely malnourished and wasted children, in anganwadis across the state. 

Some sections have called it discriminatory to Vegetarians but Government has also decided to offer bananas to those who do not consume eggs. 

Conclusion–  

Public policy should be guided by facts and science and not by short sighted concerns and sectarian interests 

This is especially important keeping in mind that India is still struggling to improve its health statistics. 

Source– –– This post is based on the article “Karnataka government has done right thing by adding eggs to mid day meals” published in The Indian express on 14th Dec 2021.