All the universities and colleges affiliated to the University Grants Commission (UGC) have been ordered to ban the sale of junk food on campuses. A letter has been sent to the institutions to avoid junk food and to educate students against the consumption of unhealthy food.
“Banning junk food in colleges would set new standards for healthy food and make the students live better, and learn better and also reduce the obesity levels in young learners, thus preventing lifestyle diseases which have a direct link with excessive weight”, some lines of this letter read.
The authority has even suggested colleges to conduct programs for faculty and staff health-related issues. Counseling centers for proper nutrition and exercise and healthy habits have been demanded along with psychological support programmes to obesity in young students.
“You are requested to ensure strict adherence to the advisory. Create awareness among the younger generation who are vulnerable,” the same letter requested.
Earlier, Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) directed similar guidelines to all affiliated schools to take junk food off their canteen menu.
Schools have also been asked to inspect lunch boxes of students has been made mandatory in many schools to create awareness about nutritious food in students and monitor their health.
All this is seen as the outcome of a report issued by the Ministry of Women and Child Development on consumption of foods high in fat, salt and sugar in schools.
It seems that government is on the path of taking big decisions to ensure better health for the bright future of our country. Again the question arises that is this the right way to do so? Well, you can share your thoughts in the comments section.
