Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (SP)

Bengaluru, Dec 13: Primary and secondary education minister B C Nagesh, clarified that he has never pressured the students to consume eggs, which are proposed to be served as part of the midday meal, in the schools.

Speaking to media persons on Sunday December 12, he said that the children are suffering on account of malnutrition and that the central government has introduced this scheme to improve the health conditions of the students. He pointed out that experts have suggested adding eggs to the menu of the school children to improve protein intake. He said that bananas are also being given, and that the food that has protein has been chosen for the children.

Minister B C Nagesh

The minister asked the people and the parents not to be panicky about the Omicron variant of the coronavirus. He pointed out that out of 1.2 crore children, only 102 have so far suffered from coronavirus infection and promised that the government will take all precautionary measures.

A video of girl student, addressing the students protesting under the leadership of the Students Federation of India at Gangavathi in Koppal district where she is seen condemning the Swamijis who have been insistent on replacing eggs with bananas in the schools, has become viral. She says that the Swamiji have no authority to advise the concerned not to eat eggs. "We will eat eggs and visit the Maths thereafter," she is heard saying.

The girl student says that the students of Kalyana Karnataka region suffer from malnutrition and the government has come forward to provide eggs to address this issue. "If eggs are not given, we will die. Do you want us to die, or would you opt for the alternative of supplying eggs? We are studying in government schools because of poverty, but you people do not understand. We are ready to consume tow eggs every day and also to consume bananas," she says. This video has become viral in the social media.